Gallup, New Mexico

New 2012 Spring Break Mission

The FOCUS missions trip has been a huge step forward in my walk with Christ. You dont know how much you need God until he is all you have. Being so much out of you element forces you to lean on him, and now I have an idea of what that is like in everyday life.
-Aaron Pribanic, University of Nebraska

Dates: March 10th-18th AND March 17th-25th

Trip Director: March 10th – 18th, Gabriel and Sarah Hahn; March 17th – 25th, Angela Amore

Mission Co-Leaders: March 10th, Jonathan Ervin, Amy Brammer; March 17th, Bryan Wilburn, Molly Falke, Theresa Niehaus

Amount to Fundraise: $400* + Transportation to Albuquerque, NM

The Indian Reservation in Gallup, New Mexico claims one of the highest rates of poverty in the United States. Come work with the Missionaries of Charity in the heart of the reservation, bringing the light of Christ and a heart of cheerful service to a people who have lost their way. Experience a spiritual rebirth as you pray and share your life with the Native Americans of this reservation.

*Price Subject to Change

Washington D.C.

New 2012 Spring Break Mission

 My FOCUS Mission Trip taught me how to be vulnerable to people whom I barely know and what it means to love selflessly and wholeheartedly. The Lord showed me that He is present in every given moment, if one only 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, Appalachian State University

Dates:  March 3rd-11th

Trip Director: Jake Mach

Mission Co-Leaders: Chris Rothschild, Josh Santo, Beth Santo, Ruby Behringer

Amount to Fundraise: $350* + Transportation to Washington D.C.

Experience the Nation’s Capitol as never before! Behind the glamour of our state buildings and beauty of our national parks and gardens lies a city where nearly 1 in 5 people live below the poverty line. As a volunteer on this mission trip you will work with local religious orders and organizations to bring hope to the homeless of Washington D.C.

As a part of this experience, we will also dive into the Church’s teachings on the dignity of the human person as we visit the United States Holocaust Memoria Museum and speak with a congressman about the Pro-Life debate on Capitol Hill.

*Price Subject to Change

 

Appalachia

New 2012 Spring Break Mission

Before going on this mission trip I considered myself a Catholic who wasn’t sure what it really meant to be a Catholic. Through my experiences I witnessed Catholicism in a whole new way. This allowed me to become much more comfortable with being spiritual and gave me a better sense of what being Catholic really means. It was truly a life changing experience that has helped me in countless ways and for that I am very thankful. 
-Zach Johnston

Dates: March 10th-18th
Trip Director: Patrick Caskey
Trip Co-Leaders: Andrew Meister, Theresa Duerr, Holly Lancaster
Amount to Fundraise: $250 plus cost of travel to Appalachia

Looking for an opportunity to work with the poor and homeless? Come make a difference in the lives of families in Appalachia, one of the poorest counties in the entire United States! The Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center, through whom the mission trip will be run, has been working to provide a variety of services since 1991. The kind of work that the group will participate in would be the collection and distribution of material goods, helping with supportive housing for at-risk families, and home repairs for families living in substandard housing (depending on the needs of the Mission Center). This is an amazing, cost effective, and exciting opportunity to see the poverty that still exists in the United States, and to make a tangible impact on families who need your help!

*Price Subject to change

Alaska

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. 

New Orleans

            My participation on a FOCUS Mission Trip changed my life! I learned the importance of opening your heart, not only to others, but to Jesus. I also learned that during the mission, you are not there to only serve the poor and underprivileged of the area, but you’re there to serve the other missionaries on your trip, helping to bring them closer to Jesus.
 -Former FOCUS Mission Trip Volunteer

Dates: Spring Break: March 17-25th

Trip Director: Rob Muzyka

Mission Co-Leaders: Jessica Petersen, Kelly Rosborough

Amount to Fundraise: $450* + Transportation to New Orleans

Come participate in the ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as we work to rebuild the homes of those who lost everything!  Working through the organization called Operation Helping Hands run by the Archdiocese of New Orleans we will help families get back on their feet as they continue to repair their lives from the catastrophic damage inflicted by the wrath of Mother Nature.  Depending on the stage of re-construction, the group will be gutting, painting, reconstructing, or anything else needed in order to get the home back to a livable condition. This is your chance to serve our neighbors who lost so much and to bring vibrant Catholicism to the culture of the “Big Easy.”

Price includes: All food, lodging, and local transportation.

* Price subject to change

The Bronx, New York

       There are different ways I can find satisfaction in life, but I believe spiritual satisfaction through service to the Lord and His people is the highest form of pleasure man can attain. There is nothing more important and noble than investing in the Kingdom of Heaven, and this mission trip reiterated that to me. Everything about this trip continues to motivate me in my ongoing commitment to be a better person today than yesterday.
-Chris Ela, USAF Academy

Dates: Spring Break: March 10th-18th

Trip Director: Danielle McKenna

Mission Co-Leaders: Kristine Strever, John Huynh

Amount to Fundraise: $300+ Transportation to NYC

Serve in the shadow of modern day saints as we work directly with the Missionaries of Charity and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York City!  The Missionaries of Charity are currently serving around the globe and you will recognize them as the religious order of Mother Theresa of Calcutta.  The robe clad Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are the famed proclaimers of the “New Evangelization” in some of America’s poorest inner-city environments.  Our service will be right in their distinct apostolates including working in homeless shelters, working with AIDS patients, shelters for homeless single mothers, and even street evangelization in Time square!  Discerning your vocation? – What a great opportunity for hands on experience of religious life!  Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Price includes: All food, lodging, and local transportation.