A group of young Catholics is preparing to spent a year on campus engaging with their peers about their faith.

FOCUS Missionaries are a Catholic organisation who evangelise on campuses in America and Europe. They have successfully completed one academic year in University College Cork working in collaboration with UCC Chaplaincy.

They invite students to enter more deeply into their faith while at university. They host bible study groups, discipleship groups, retreats and prayer groups as part of their outreach to students in UCC.

As part of their training and preparation for a second year on mission in UCC, they met for two days with the Chaplaincy Team and members of the Presentation Brothers LEAF project to reflect and plan for the year ahead in Mardyke House.

As part of the ongoing mission of evangelisation in the Diocese of Cork and Ross, FOCUS play a key role in the building up of young people of faith, and those exploring their faith. Bishop Fintan spent some time with this planning process and encouraged the FOCUS team and the UCC chaplaincy team in their outreach to third level students in UCC, reminding them that they are instruments of the Gospel in a world that yearns to hear the Good News.

“As you embark on a new year in UCC, you as chaplains and missionaries are invited, like Peter and his companions in today’s Gospel, to put out into deep water; to bring hope and know that the Lord has a plan and a purpose for each of you and the students you encounter,” Bishop Fintan said.

Before being a disciple of Jesus in today’s world, young people need to come to know Jesus, bishop says..

This was the key message of Bishop Fintan Gavin who spoke to over 900 young people who were making a retreat last weekend.

The young people were taking part in a gathering organised by Youth 2000 and which was held at Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co Kildare.

Bishop Fintan spoke of his own faith journey and how central it is to have an encounter with the living Jesus.

“How do we do this?, the bishop asked in his homily.  “We have to trust and to build a relationship with Jesus in the same way as we do any other relationship.”

“Once we open our hearts to encounter Jesus then our faith and what Jesus has to offer is no longer seen as a burden or obligation but rather the greatest gift that our God offers us.”