Raise your hand if you spent a summer in Champaign, Ave Maria, Madison, Bismarck, BC, Carroll College or at Belmont Abbey; you took a prayer class with Fr. Dylan James or Fr. Kevin Dyer; you made a Jeff Cavins poster; or you heard Steve Pries yell, "Please balla!"
Do you remember the rebellion over biz-cas birkenstocks, laughed at "focus harmony," or know about the questionable "focus ancestory" venture, lift up you hand!
If you raised your hand or just can't wait to be reunited with other former FOCUS missionaries, then you belong at the 25th Anniversary FOCUS Missionary Alumni Reunion!
June 10 -11, 2023
The celebration begins in
Limited spots still available
The Celebratory Events:
FOCUS Missionary Class Reunion Reception**+
Kick back with your friends, enjoy a drink and dig into nostalgic trivia during this celebratory reunion gathering!
All missionary alumni and current staff are invited to the Saturday night reception. Bring your favorite FOCUS conference t-shirt. Let's see who has the oldest one!
Retreat*+
It wouldn't be a FOCUS event without some time with the Lord. There will be a meditation led by one of our favorite priests followed by adoration and confession.
NST Formation*+
One thing we hear FOCUS Missionary Alumni miss the most is the great formation received while on staff. So, there won't be just one, but two formation talks from a world-class speaker and great friend of FOCUS you know and love!
Brunch with Curtis and Michaelann Martin*+
Raise a glass to good, faithful friends and lifelong mission! Our closing program will include breakfast and a talk from Curtis and Michaelann Martin.
Commissioning Mass*+
We will conclude our celebration together with a re-commissioning of our baptismal call to evangelize. We will be reinvigorated to set the world on fire once again!
* Alumni and their spouses welcome.
** Alumni, current staff & spouses welcome.
+ For information about child attendance, see FAQs below
- kids brunch can be added on-site
The 25th Anniversary Missionary Alumni Reunion Schedule:
Saturday, June 10
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Check-in, Welcome, and Retreat, St. Mary’s (14th and K Street, Lincoln, NE 68508)
3:30 - 5:30 p.m. NST Formation, Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln (1040 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508)
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Dinner Break
8:00 - 11:00 p.m.* Class Reunion Reception, Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln (1040 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508)
*Doors open at 7:30 p.m. - current staff also invited to join.
Sunday, June 11
9:30-11:30 a.m. Brunch with Curtis and Michaelann Martin, Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln (1040 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508)
12:00 p.m. Commissioning Mass, St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center (320 N 16th St, Lincoln, NE 68508)
Plus special guests & suprises! You won't want to miss this reunion!
FAQs
Will there be hotel accommodations?
A discounted hotel block is available at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln (1040 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508). Book here: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/focusalumnigathering/.
Will there be childcare?
No, unfortunately we cannot provide childcare. Babies in arms are always welcome. We will have a space for children to utilize in an adjoining room for all activities at the Embassy Suites, but there will be no childcare or staff present. If you have older children or a babysitter, feel free to use this space with younger children. Any toys/activities for children would need to be brought by your own family.
Children are welcome at the Sunday brunch, but if they will need their own seat and/or plate, you will need to add on a kids brunch ($15) on-site for each child with cash or check. Otherwise, the adjoining room will be available during brunch, and you are free to provide your own breakfast to children prior to brunch and allow them to utilize the adjoining space while brunch is served. Again, there will be no supervision provided in this space and you must have your own sitter to utilize this space.
During the retreat at St. Mary's church, children who are able to join in the retreat are welcome to do so. For younger children who may not be able to participate, parents or your own babysitter would be expected to care for the children utilizing common space in/around the church that is not being used for the retreat or other church activities.
All children are obviously welcome to join us for Mass on Sunday.
Can I only come to a portion of this event?
Yes, you may. However, there is one set price.
Are there any scholarships available?
There are no scholarships, but we have worked hard to keep the price as low as possible.
Are meals included in the ticket purchase?
Brunch is included for Sunday morning. Lunches and dinners are on your own. There are many options within walking distance of the event venues.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can receive a refund up to two weeks prior to the event.
Are students or sudent alumni invited?
This is a celebration created specifically for Missionary Alumni but if there is a student alumni who wants to attend, they are welcome to register.
Can my spouse come?
Absolutely! They will also need to register. If your spouse will be serving at NST or is currently on staff, they are invited to join us for the entirety of the weekend, but they will still need to register separately.
Are current FOCUS staff invited?
Current staff are invited to join us for the Saturday evening class reunion reception at 8:00 p.m. but welcome to register if they wish to attend the entirety of the event.
Have more questions?
We hope to see you there, so if you have more questions email Stephany at stephany.anderson@focus.org