More than half a century of fidelity.
A new Apostolate is born!
In September of 1968, H. Lyman Stebbins was chosen to serve as the founding president of CUF. In the years since its founding, CUF has influenced the founding of numerous apostolic initiatives, advanced the role of the laity in the Church and helped tens of thousands of people discover and strengthen their Catholic faith. Put bluntly, CUF has directly contributed to the life of the Church in North America in notable ways.
Pro-Life
Since CUF's earliest days, our members have dedicated themselves to defending the child in the womb and advancing the Culture of Life. CUF members participate in statewide Right to Life organizations and state and national Marches for Life. They pray outside of abortion clinics, counsel women to choose life, offer aid through crisis pregnancy centers, combat pro-euthanasia bills at state legislatures and much more.
Challenging poor catechesis & sex education
CUF officers, chapters and individual members have long produced in-depth reviews of catechetical and sex education programs used in parishes and Catholic schools. They pointed out, in charity, where these programs are in conflict with Catholic teaching. Members have fought tirelessly to remove problematic programs from Catholic curriculums. CUF's Information Services continues this essential activity today.
Award-winning publication
CUF began publishing its Lay Witness newsletter more than 50 years ago. What began as a newsletter for members developed into a full-color magazine with a variety of articles between 1997 and 2014. Published today as a bi-monthly newsletter, Lay Witness provides timely articles on the Faith and keeps members informed of CUF activities.
A Sister Apostolate
Chuck Wilson, a convert from the Episcopal Church, was deeply influenced by the invitation to community and formation he received as a member of CUF's Houston Chapter. In 1984, he founded CUF's sister apostolate The Saint Joseph Foundation, to assist the Faithful in the vindication of their rights within the Law of the Catholic Church.
Luther in reverse
As a new convert to Catholicism, Dr. Scott Hahn struggled to find a community of zealous, devout Catholics to grow with him in the Catholic Faith. That is, until he was introduced to his local CUF chapter in Milwaukee. St. Gregory VII Chapter of CUF is still meeting in Milwaukee, and Scott Hahn is still Catholic.
Faith and Life
Reviewing catechetical series and flagging errors is not enough — CUF must lead by example. In 1987, CUF published the renowned Faith and Life catechism series for grades 1–8. CUF would later add a kindergarten year to the series, as well as teacher editions and handbooks for students. This full-service catechism series is widely used by parish catechetical programs, Catholic schools, and homeschooling parents. Published exclusively by Ignatius Press, the beloved series is in its third edition and can be purchased in hard copy, as an online program, or as an eBook.
A Knight to remember
On January 10, 1988, H. Lyman Stebbins was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope St. John Paul II. This high honor was given in recognition of his role as the founding president of CUF and the subsequent role CUF accepted in pursuing authentic reforms within the Church. Stebbins would die the following year, on February 22, 1989.
Another apostolate is born!
During his tenure as President, Curtis Martin launched an ambitious CUF initiative aimed at capturing the hearts and minds of America's college students for Christ: Fellowship of Catholic University Students. Curtis felt called to give his full attention and energy into this quickly growing movement, and in 1998 FOCUS was founded as its own organization under Curtis Martin's leadership.
Our hearts are burning within us!
CUF's long history of research and defense of the Faith produced countless reviews and a few books. Why not more? Emmaus Road Publishing was launched by Curtis Martin in response to the Pope's call for a new evangelization. CUF's publishing arm naturally grew out of an apostolic desire to place inspiring and orthodox Bible studies into the hands of Faith-hungry Catholics. Sold to the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology in 2014, Emmaus Road Publishing continues to offer titles that invite readers to dive deeper into the Word of God and the Catholic Faith.
Uniting the Faithful from all walks of life!
CUF affiliated to its longtime sister apostolate, The Saint Joseph Foundation (SJF) in February of 2017. By restructuring its membership to include ‘affiliates’, CUF expanded its outreach. By sharing office space and resources, both apostolates keep costs down and put more of your donations directly into advancing their complimentary missions.
Golden Anniversary!
CUF celebrated 50 years of uniting the Faithful from all walks of life to support, defend and advance the Teachings of the Catholic Church.
A threshold of Hope!
Every day, CUF is connecting Truth-seekers and devout Catholics with the information, resources, and community they need to grow in the Faith and be instruments of renewal. CUF wants you to enter the spring-time of Faith and cross the threshold of Hope. Connect with CUF, fall in love with Christ, and be part of the renewal of His Church.