What is a Beatitude, and what does it actually mean to be "poor in spirit"? In part one of our Beatitudes series, guest Fr. James Dominic Brent, OP, breaks down Jesus’ radical invitation to true happiness.

Together, we explore why self-reliance leads to spiritual burnout, how to embrace our vulnerability before God, and why acknowledging our poverty is the gateway to receiving His daily help.

In this episode, we cover:

• The real definition of "poor in spirit"

• Overcoming burnout and self-reliance in life

• The powerful daily prayer of the Desert Fathers

• St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s "Little Way" of trust

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Father Dan Tracy, FOCUS alumni and priest in the Diocese of Superior, shares great wisdom on his experience of Personal Excellence. What does it mean to be busy? How can we rest well while also living the Great Commission zealously? Father Dan and Kathleen discuss small ways to practice peace and rest amidst busy schedules. 

Fr. Dan Tracy serves as the associate pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin. He served as a FOCUS missionary from 2015-2017 before entering the seminary. Fr. Dan enjoys preaching the Gospel, administering the sacraments, and encouraging others to fall in love with God.

Kathleen and Cooper Dow discuss some of the hardships of living out personal excellence as a missionary. Topics include the culture of perfectionism, having healthy boundaries, and supporting teammates in their growth in personal excellence. 

Cooper Dow joined FOCUS in 2021 serving as a missionary at Idaho State University. He now serves on the Staff Care team. Cooper is originally from Littleton, Colorado.

Travis and Jess introduce the final cultural virtue of Personal Excellence in this deep dive episode. Travis beautifully explains how the Church invites us to do little things greatly and to be willing to do great things. They remind listeners that Personal Excellence is all about Jesus and less about our own ambitions and desires.

Personal Excellence: Giving our best efforts to the responsibilities entrusted to us in order to bear fruit in Jesus Christ.

Travis Todd is a convert to Catholicism and has worked for FOCUS for 18 years. Travis served 9 years as a campus missionary and team director before accepting a role at the FOCUS Denver Support Center. He currently serves as Sr. Director of Formation. Travis resides in Arvada, Colorado, with his wife, Rebecca, and 7 children.

Ben and Eliza Kelly are here to share their experience of living our joyful sacrifice in marriage. This fun and honest episode gives listeners a glimpse of the challenges of parenthood as the Kellys share how missionary life has prepared them to embrace these sufferings. Ben and Eliza encourage listeners to know that joyful sacrifice is more than just grin and bearing hardships. 

Ben and Eliza Kelly met while studying at Harvard University and joined FOCUS as an engaged couple. They have served with FOCUS for 9 years and have 4 children. Ben and Eliza reside in Rhode Island.

Kathleen and Sabrina Sanchez unpack the virtue of Joyful Sacrifice in light of the missionary experience. They discuss the role of freedom in joyful sacrifice and Sabrina shares some practical ways FOCUS missionaries can grow in this virtue: recognizing circles of influence and turning joyful sacrifice into an offering to the Father. 

Sabrina Sanchez is in her 7th year with FOCUS. Originally from Texas, Sabrina is a proud alumna of Texas A&M. She served as a missionary at the University of Florida, Middle Tennessee State University, and Vanderbilt. She now serves on FOCUS' Talent and Leadership Development Team and resides in Denver.

Jess and Travis are back to take a deep dive into our next cultural virtue: Joyful Sacrifice. 

Travis explains the root of the word “sacrifice”, the role of mercy in sacrificial love, and where joy actually comes from. You don’t want to miss this!

Joyful Sacrifice: Joyfully offering our sacrifice as a gift to the Father, confident that he transforms them for His glory. 

Travis Todd is a convert to Catholicism and has worked for FOCUS for 18 years. Travis served 9 years as a campus missionary and team director before accepting a role at the FOCUS Denver Support Center. He currently serves as Sr. Director of Formation. Travis resides in Arvada, Colorado, with his wife, Rebecca, and 7 children.

In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens and Fr. Daniel Eusterman walk step-by-step through one of the most beautiful and powerful liturgies in the life of the Church: the ordination of a priest. 

Whether you’ve attended an ordination before or have never experienced one, this conversation will help you understand the meaning behind the symbols, prayers, and sacred moments of the Mass.

Together, we explore the Litany of Saints, the laying on of hands, the Prayer of Ordination, the vesting of the new priest, and the anointing of his hands with chrism. Fr. Eusterman also shares personal reflections on what it was like to lie prostrate before the altar, receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, and begin his priestly ministry.

This episode is both a guide to the ordination liturgy and a meditation on the mystery of the priesthood itself.

Christopher Carstens directs the Office for Sacred Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin; coordinates the Institute for Liturgical Studies at Christendom College; and edits the Adoremus Bulletin. He serves as a consultant to the USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship, and he is author of A Devotional Journey into the Mass and A Devotional Journey into the Easter Mystery (Sophia), as well as Principles of Sacred Liturgy: Forming a Sacramental Vision (Hillenbrand Books). He and his family live in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.

Fr. Daniel Eusterman serves the Archdiocese of Denver as the Vice Rector of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. Fr. Daniel was ordained as a priest in 2017 and also teaches sacramental theology at the seminary.

In this testimonial episode, Kathleen is joined by Josh Fatzinger who has served the last twelve years as a campus missionary. Josh shares the little ways he has tried to practice Vital Unity in mission and in family life, how to have personal boundaries and yet be generous, and why sins of the tongue are so divisive. 

Josh Fatzinger has served as a FOCUS missionary for 12 years with his wife, Katie. They have served at the University of Pittsburg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Northern Arizona State University, the University of Maryland, and the United States Naval Academy. Josh and Katie have 5 children.

Kathleen is joined by Rachel Bieker to discuss the practicals of living out Vital Unity as a FOCUS missionary. Rachel describes the common obstacles she sees in FOCUS to living this out and provides some incredible tips on how to navigate conflict.

Rachel Bieker currently serves FOCUS as Senior Manager of Talent and Leadership Development. Originally from Nebraska, she attended Benedictine College in Atchison, KS before moving to Colorado to spend a year with Christ in the City, an apostolate for the homeless. Since joining FOCUS 12 years ago, she has served in a number roles, including Office Manager, Talent & Leadership Development, and now Staff Care.