Lucas serves as the Team Director at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with our team pictured below (from left to right: Logan, Molly, Olivia, Alex, myself). Go Bears!

LUCAS’S STORY:

During my first semester of college at the University of Colorado Boulder, I encountered a Catholic community of believers that radiated an authentic joy and love unlike anything I had ever witnessed. Seeing that something was radically different about them, I slowly got involved and for one of the first times in my life had fraternal community that led me to something greater than myself. Through the close accompaniment of other men pursuing the Lord, I began to have deep encounters with Jesus in the sacraments and learn what it means to live a Catholic life in context of a relationship with Jesus.

In my continual conversion I have encountered my own poverty in a radical way, but have found a deep peace in knowing that Jesus is Lord and the Heavenly Father has claimed me as His own. As I began leading bible studies on campus and investing more of myself into sharing the love that I had been given, I saw how many men have no idea the identity they are offered as sons of the Father and how much the world challenges our capacity to receive this identity as men. The greatest joys I experienced in college came from sharing the reality of the Father’s love with other men and watching them discover the reality that they are worthy of love simply because Jesus has invited them into His eternal sonship. We are particularly excited to invite students into our home and provide an image of the Father’s House through our family. We are honored to be called to mission while embracing our vocation and can’t wait to see how the Lord will continue to bless us in it!

NORA:

I was very blessed to grow up in a faithful household and have transformative experience during my preparation for confirmation in high school. However, I never truly knew what it meant to have a personal relationship with our Lord. As I began college at the University of Colorado Boulder, I placed my identity in worldly things and had little expectations to keep my faith. By God’s grace, I attended Buffalo Awakening retreat my freshman year and had a deep encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. Accompanied by learning about St. Therese of Lisieux’s life and joining a bible study, my heart was slowly formed to love and embrace my Catholic faith. My dear friend Mary walked with me all throughout college. Because of her accompaniment, I developed a deeper prayer life and a heart for God’s people. Mary’s investment in me inspired me to invest in others.

After going on a mission trip to Petersburg, Alaska and teaching Totus Tuus, I was deeply convicted of my role in the New Evangelization. I served my first year and a half at the University of Southern California, followed by two and a half years at UC Santa Barbara. The cherry on top is being able to serve as a family with my husband. Marriage is countercultural on a college campus and we are grateful witnesses to the grace of the sacrament!

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me reach souls for Jesus Christ. As I’ve been called to be on campus physically, others join me on mission through both financial and spiritual support. Without this support it is not possible for missionaries like myself to be sent out onto campuses around the world. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know the best way to contact you and I would love to set up an appointment.

Lucas St. Germain – [email protected] – (303) 974-0235