Alaska
December 10, 2009
New 2012 Summer Mission
Alaska changed my life. It gave me the opportunity to spread the word of God in a way I never had and in a place I never could have imagined. The people of Alaska are in dire need of Hope. Although we may never see the fruits of our labors, I pray that the people of St. Mary’s and all of Alaska will come to know the person of Jesus Christ and believe in their hearts that he died for each one of them, personally and individually. Not a single day goes by that I don’t think about my experiences in Alaska. The people I met there are always in my heart and on my mind. I wouldn’t give those 12 day up for anything.
-Kathryn Houle, North Dakota State University
Dates: May 15th-June 2nd*
Mission Director: Jacob MachTBD
Mission Co-Leaders: Mark Loidolt, Sheena Byrne
Amount to Fundraise: $1500* + Airfare to Anchorage
*Dates and Price subject to change
Come, be a witness to the ends of the earth and join us as we evangelize “the last frontier.” This exciting mission trip will focus upon sharing the love of Christ with native Alaskans who have little access to the outside world. After a short time in Anchorage, you’ll board a small airplane and venture to a bush village where you’ll spend the week doing catechesis, service projects and sharing the hope of Christ to a people suffering from many serious struggles. Through these experiences you’ll learn about the culture and traditions of these native Alaskans while being immersed in some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. If you are willing to heroically give of yourself to be Christ to others, then this mission trip is for you!
Price includes: Roundtrip airfare to/from native village out of Anchorage (does not include airfare to Anchorage), travel insurance, pre-trip orientation retreat, post-trip debriefing retreat, all food, lodging, and local transportation.
El Salvador
December 10, 2009
In El Salvador, I encountered Jesus for the first time in a deeply personal way. Pushed far outside of my comfort zone, with nowhere else to go, I cried to Him for help. And the love I felt in His answer changed my heart forever. I was (and still am!) filled with a desire to know Him, a desire I did not have before. Whatever the cost, I want to know this Son of Man who loves me so much!
-Former El Salvador Mission Trip Volunteer
Dates: Spring Break: March 10th-18th
Summer: July 16th-30th*
Trip Director: Spring Break: Dominic Paulucci
Summer: TBD
Mission Co-Leaders: Spring Break: Shannon Zurcher, tricia Lester, Michael Senderling
Summer: Katie Harris, Kelley Hogan, Ryan Welch
Amount to Fundraise: Spring Break: $1300*
Summer: $2000*
A community on the outskirts of San Miguel, El Salvador needs your help! They have been having Mass in a garage shelter with hundreds of Catholic worshipers overflowing into the streets! There is a plot of land set aside to build a provisional church which will be our project for a week. Better yet, we will be working hand-in-hand with college-aged locals from a nearby orphanage. Many of these students lost their parents in El Salvador’s Civil War that ended in 1992.
In addition to completing the church for the community on the outskirts of San Miguel, this trip will venture into the countryside of El Salvador, to realize catechesis in a rural Salvadoran village. Living with the people, sleeping in hammocks, and playing endless games of soccer, our mission will be one of incarnational evangelization along with a very fun program of catechesis for adults and children. The group will get to experience the beauty of the Salvadoran people which is rivaled only by the beauty of the country itself. Another amazing aspect of this trip is the deep perspective gained from El Salvador’s past history of war and Church persecution. Seeing the home of Archbishop Oscar Romero – and his bloodied vestments that he was wearing while assassinated during Mass- will drive home the reality of war and persecution. In light of this, our mission is one that brings continued healing to the Salvadoran people and hope for the future. This is an experience not to be missed!
“Persecution is something necessary for the Church. Do you know why? Because the truth is always persecuted. Jesus Christ said ‘If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you,’ and for this reason, when one day they asked Popo Leo XIII, that marvelous intellect from the beginning of our century, ‘What are the traits that distinguish the true Catholic Church?’, the pope said the four most recognized traits: one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic, ‘but we must add one’ said the Pope– ‘persecuted..’ The Church who fulfills her duties cannot live without being persecuted.” - Oscar Romero, Homily May 29th, 1977
Price includes: Roundtrip airfare from Denver (or other US departure city determined by the Mission Director), travel insurance, pre-trip orientation retreat, post-trip debriefing retreat, all food, lodging, building materials and in-country transportation.(Does not include immunizations and travel meds, your travel to/from departure city, passport/visa expenses, other personal incidentals).
*Dates and amount to fundraise subject to change
Philippines
December 10, 2009
On a FOCUS Mission Trip, the Lord showed me that He is present in every given moment, if only one makes the effort to open their eyes to the beauty of those surrounding them in the here and now and stop dwelling on the past/future. Every moment is an opportunity to love and grow closer to Christ. The mission trip helped me to see that I am capable of utilizing every moment to bring greater glory to God!
-Sabrina Harris School: Appalachian State University
Date: July 9-July 27
Mission Director: Shannon Zurcher
Mission Co-Leaders:Katelyn Jastrebski, Andy Norton, Chris Rothschild
Amount to Fundraise: $2400.00*
* Amount to Fundraise and dates are subject to change
Hosted by the Filipino GK Build program, this Catholic based organization has been hosting student groups for 1-2 week long immersions for 6 years. As Christ lived among the poor and downtrodden, so too will we as we work in the Filipino slums to build homes and transform a community through the light of Christ. Working with GK, you will be able to experience poverty but also see hope, transforming a culture and creating a belief in the dignity of all people.
We will also be meeting up with a delegation of young adults from Malaysia on this Mission to share in the service. The goal is to share our experiences of faith from opposite sides of the world and to help each other grow in love for the Church!
NOTE: There will be two summer trips to the Philippines. One is for University of Florida students only! Please make sure you apply for the correct Philippines trip in our online application system. The University of Florida trip will be designated as a University of Florida trip on the application.
Price includes: Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles (or other US departure city determined by the Mission Director), travel insurance, pre-trip orientation retreat, post-trip debriefing retreat, all food, lodging, and in-country transportation.(Does not include immunizations and travel meds, your travel to/from departure city, passport/visa expenses, other personal incidentals).
