Four missionaries from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) are serving students at the University of Utah. The team works with both Catholic and non-Catholic students to provide spiritual support and community on campus.
The FOCUS team at the University of Utah includes lead missionary TJ Jakubowski, Julian Yepez, Lucia Aguilar-Astiazaran, and Graziella Galuzzo. Jakubowski, who is in his 10th year of service, stated that the team aims to bring students closer to Christ while teaching them to be disciples.
Missionary activities include hosting small-group Bible studies, offering one-on-one spiritual discipleship, and coordinating retreats. The team also maintains an information table on the campus concourse and encourages participation in the annual FOCUS SEEK conference.
Last year, more than 75 students attended Bible studies regularly, while another 50 attended occasionally. Additionally, a dozen students enrolled in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults program. The missionaries also focus on encouraging students who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation to attend OCIA classes.
The missionaries welcomed students back to campus for the 2026-27 academic year through events such as a cookout, trivia night, sports, games, and a hike.
Jakubowski noted that while the missionaries facilitate conversations with non-Catholics, they also work with students already involved at the Newman Center to encourage them to evangelize their peers. He suggested that a peer can often be the most influential person in a young person's life.
The FOCUS mission is supported by the local community, and Jakubowski has invited local Catholics to join the missionaries at the Newman Center for worship.
