“Our missionaries are able to touch others’ lives in a very special way by doing the work of Jesus Christ. – Fr. T. J. Fleming”
Fr. T. J. Fleming knows well the challenges of bringing new students into a campus parish. It takes special people – disciples trained in Church teachings, sacred scripture, and prayer to win the hearts of students and invite them into a loving relationship with Christ.
For several years, St. Mary University Parish at Central Michigan University (CMU) has relied on Foundation funding of FOCUS missionaries for student evangelization. Now, additional funding from the Fr. Jeff Donnor and Bishop Untener Funds supports a full-time staff position at the parish to coordinate evangelization efforts. According to Fr. Fleming’s projections, there are 3,000-5,000 Catholic students at CMU. Many have little experience with the Bible and an undeveloped relationship with Christ. Evangelization efforts help broaden the students’ faith and strengthen parish membership.
But the impact doesn’t stop with the parish and students. According to Fr. Fleming, “Our missionaries are able to touch others’ lives in a very special way by doing the work of Jesus Christ. They are helping to broaden the student’s personal faith, and in doing so, they are personally rewarded, too.”