“My name is Joe Richards and I am awesome.”

My name is Joe Richards.

I graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, MN, with a degree  in philosophy back in 2012. My favorite quote: Luke 9: 23- “If any want to be my disciple, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me”

My Hobbies

  • Boxing
  • Playing guitar
  • Hipster bars
  • Indie music
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Running
  • Tennis

Favorite Music

  • Mumford & Sons
  • The Lumineers
  • The Head & the Heart
  • …and  that kind of feel good stuff

This Fall at UMD

I am the Team Director for FOCUS, so my primary role is training the new missionaries and directing the progress of the missionaries and students throughout the year. So I won’t have the privilege of being in a Bible study with you, but you’ll see me around campus.

Let’s Be Friends

joseph.richards@focus.org
https://www.facebook.com/joe.richards.54

“My name is Peter O’Donnell and I even lift.”

My name is Rosalin, pronounced ROSE-LYNN, and my last name is Schlosser.

I went to school at NDSU (North Dakota State University) and graduated in May of 2011 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

In college was where I fell in love with the Lord for the first time and FOCUS played a large role in that conversion.  As I continued to grow and develop that personal relationship with Jesus I started to realize that the people around me on campus didn’t know Him.  I thought somebody should tell them, and then it hit me I could tell them.  That’s what I want to do … tell people about Jesus and His never-ending love for them.  That’s why I became a missionary.

My favorite quote is from St. Augustine: “Because God has made us for Himself, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.”

Random Things About Me:

  • My favorite saints include St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Thomas Aquinas.
  •  I love reading.  I also enjoy playing cards, spending time with friends, watching movies, and cooking/baking.
  • My favorite courses in college were math classes and ancient philosophy.
  • My favorite place at UMD besides Newman is the coffee shop (when you can find a table.)
  • The farthest I’ve traveled from home was going to Rome over spring break my senior year of college. I would love to spend some substantial time in Ireland, the UK, and Germany.

This Year at UMD

I will have two Bible studies of junior and senior women and if anyone wants to get involved they can email me.

Let’s Be Friends

Bailey Brazier, FOCUS Missionary

“Mosquitoes are my kryptonite. I resist technology because I don’t learn it easily. I like to joke around.”

My Name is Bailey

FOCUS Missionary from Greenbush, MN

I’m from Greenbush, MN, and I think it’s the greatest tiny town. I love my family the most: Mom, Dad, older brother, younger brother, little sister (she’s 11). I own a photography business! (Perpetua Photography, named after Our Lady of Perpetual Help) I really like writing, reading, and teaching. I love outdoors and family, especially together. I taught swimming lessons for 7 years. I always either over-pack or have nowhere near enough stuff.

I’m left handed. Pens make a big difference in what my handwriting looks like. I play the piano, but only for my Grandma. Movies I love are The Three Amigos and Father of the Bride – Steve Martin is my favorite. My best friend is 59 years old. I’m a Theta! (Kappa Alpha Theta sorority) I lost my bike last year. I graduated from high school with 45 classmates. I was the top of my class, though!

I never use my Twitter account because I’m too much of a perfectionist to decide what would be worth tweeting, and then I forget I have it. Snail mail always trumps emails/texts.

All of my favorite recipes include brown sugar.

The state of my room is usually a pretty accurate reflection of the state of my mind. I love decorating and crafting. I played volleyball in high school and love playing pick up or going to games. I liked being in plays. I’m pretty sentimental. I hate having too many colors in my room, but I’ll wear as many as possible.

Recommended Reading:

  • I Believe in Love
  • The Real Story (Curtis Martin)
  • The Screwtape Letters
  • Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love
  • Return of the Prodigal Son
  • Love Worth Giving
  • The Help
  • Jesus Our Eucharistic Love
  • Pride and Prejudice

This Year at UMD

Meeting students on campus, building friendships, inviting students to Newman events and of course fun girly get-togethers, encouraging growth in faith, helping students find their role in the Church and the mission.

Let’s Be Friends

https://www.facebook.com/bailey.brazier
bailey.brazier@focus.org

“Adventure, banana cake, Jesus Christ and His Church that is what I am all about.”

My Name is Ben Berning

FOCUS Missionary from Cuba City, WI

I am the fourth of six children and grew up on a four generation dairy farm. I am your typical Wisconsinite; I have a particularly fond liking for cows, cheese, brats, arctic-like winters, beer, the Green Bay Packers, my family, Jesus Christ and His Church (this list is not in any particular order).

One of my favorite quotes is by Robert Louis Stevenson: “The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.” Which seems to blend nicely with the words of my dear friend St. Augustine: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” I have a bit of a “restless heart” and love the adventure that is our Christian faith.

I have a number of hobbies that I am incredibly mediocre at:

  • I enjoy sports in any form
  • I like to fish and catch nothing
  • Hiking is always a good time
  • I do a fair amount of reading (especially Catholic blogs… can’t get enough of those),
  • Eating my grandmother’s banana cake is one of my favorite hobbies
  • I went sky-diving once, dabbled with the piano, trumpet, guitar and harmonica (never practiced enough)
  • I also think camping, carpentry, art, movies and friends are great things.

This Year at UMD

I hope to incorporate all of the above hobbies into my Bible studies this year (yes, even sky-diving). Ever hear of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati? I think he is a great example for what it means to be a modern-day saint. There is a great joy to be found in our faith and in the world because of Jesus Christ. While at training for FOCUS I asked a Franciscan friar if he had any advice for me as I entered my ministry. His response was, “Be a fool for Christ.” So that’s my plan. I would love to get to know you! Call me, text me, email me, facebook me, tweet me, heck maybe you want to talk to me in person. I like to think I am pretty easy to get along with. Adventure, banana cake, Jesus Christ and His Church that is what I am all about.

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