Are you looking for a retreat in the Fargo area? We have one for you! Friday to Sunday January 23 - 25, 2026 at Sts. Anne and Joachim. Join us!
Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo, ND (5202 25th St S) is honored to host the FOCUS Sanctifier Retreat, taking place January 23–25, 2026.
This retreat is part of the Trinity Retreats offered by FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) — a powerful opportunity to step back from daily life and grow in friendship with Christ and one another.
The Sanctifier Retreat places a special focus on the Holy Spirit, inviting participants to encounter His presence in a deeper way and to be renewed by His guidance, peace, and power in daily life.
[Learn more about FOCUS Retreats here.]
This is not an overnight retreat, so you’ll enjoy the comfort of returning home each evening or finding your own lodging in the FM area. The retreat begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday morning, offering a full weekend of prayer, formation, and fellowship.
It’s open to adults of all ages and backgrounds, and high schoolers are welcome too. You don’t need to be Catholic to attend — all are welcome to come and encounter Christ in this powerful weekend experience.
Can’t make the whole weekend? No problem — come when you can. Every session stands on its own and will be recorded and emailed to all registrants afterward.
If childcare is a concern, we’ve got you covered. Childcare will be available at the church and can be added to your registration.
Registration Details:
- Early Bird Registration (by December 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST):
- $75 for Sts. Anne & Joachim parishioners | $95 for non-parishioners
- $10 per child for childcare all weekend
Standard Registration (after December 21 through January 18, 2026):
- $90 for Sts. Anne & Joachim parishioners | $110 for non-parishioners
- $20 per child for childcare all weekend
Final registration deadline: January 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Need help covering costs? Please reach out to Paul Wilburn at paul.wilburn@focus.org — we don’t want cost to be an obstacle to your participation.
Retreat Speakers
After discerning her vocation for 3 years with the Poor Clares, Jessica Navin joined FOCUS in 2011 to assist with FOCUS retreats. Since then, she has coordinated over 185 retreats for college students in the United States and Europe. Jessica currently serves FOCUS as Sr. Manager of Spiritual Development and resides in Denver. We’re excited to welcome her back—she’s been a speaker at our FOCUS Parish Retreats for the past two years at Sts. Anne and Joachim.
Jeremy Cassidy is a 17-year FOCUS missionary and currently serves as Sr. Director of Apostolic Outreach, helping dioceses and parishes bring FOCUS’ mission model beyond the campus. He graduated from Carroll College, later earned a theology degree from the Augustine Institute, and has served in roles ranging from team director to regional director. He and his wife, Diana, live in Spokane, WA, and have five children. He loves mission work, coaching his kids’ sports, disc golf, and spending time on Washington’s mountain lakes.
Music
JohnMarc Skoch joined FOCUS in 2012 as a campus missionary. During his second year he was asked to lead the House Band at FOCUS’ national conference. Since then, he has led music and worship for tens of thousands at conferences all over the country as well as internationally. He continues to lead the House Band at SEEK while also serving as the Director of Music for FOCUS, overseeing all musical efforts within the apostolate. Additionally, he serves as a Director of Priest Accompaniment for FOCUS’ Parish outreach efforts where he helps to encourage and equip pastors with a vision for discipleship in their parishes. JohnMarc lives in Overland Park, KS with his wife Kelsey and their four children
Retreat Schedule
Friday, January 23
- 6:00pm – Check In Opens
- 6:30pm – Welcome · Talk 1 (The Need for Relationship with the Holy Spirit) · Small Group
- 8:30pm – Closing
Saturday, January 24
- 7:30am – Check In Opens
- 8:00am – Welcome · Praise & Worship
- 8:30am – Talk 2 (Who is the Holy Spirit?) · Small Group
- 10:00am – Talk 3 (The Healer) · Small Group
- 11:30am – Lunch
- 12:30pm – Adoration · Confessions · Prayer Teams
- 2:30pm – Break
- 2:45pm – Mass
- 3:30pm – Break
- 3:45pm – Talk 4 (Praying for the Spirit to Come) · Small Group
- 5:00pm – Supper
- 6:15pm – Adoration · Prayer Teams
- 7:15pm – Closing Announcements
- 7:30pm – Optional Parish Event: Saturday Ignite the Night
Sunday, January 26
- 8:30am – Check In Opens · Coffee & Light Snacks
- 9:00am – Talk 5 (How to Pray With Others) · Small Group
- 10:00am – Talk 6 (What’s Next?)
- 10:30am – Closing Thank You’s · Group Picture · Survey
- 11:00am – Sunday Mass with Parish