Domestic mission trip

Each spring break, St. Mary's takes a group of 19 students on a domestic mission to various places within our own borders.  There is such a deep spiritual and physical poverty within our own borders.  This year we will be going to South Texas, down along the border, serving at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen and with the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the Proyecto Desarallo Humano in Penitas. In Penitas, we will assist the sisters with events and programs for kids and families as well as work their thrift store, paint, and garden as needed. At the respite center, the people we serve have been travelling, most by foot, from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Venezuela.  They are in desperate need of medical attention, showers, clothing, and tremendous emotional care.  At the center, we will organize the lines for and clean the showers, run the supply and clothing rooms, pass out food, clean, work the front desk, play with the kids, and enter into one on one time with the people. There is tremendous beauty in acting as the welcoming, fully-embracing heart of Jesus for this deeply hopeful, faithful community, as they enter into our country. 

 

DATE

COST

The total cost of the experience will be around $300 (final cost TBD).  This amount will cover all lodging, meals, traveling/gas expenses, and work fees. You will be responsible for your own meals on travel days (the first and last day of the trip). 
 

REQUIRED PREPARATION MEETINGS

Preparation meetings are scheduled on Sundays from 3-5pm on Nov. 18, Jan. 13 & 27, Feb. 10 & 24, March 3.  A workshop for all mission trip teams is scheduled for Mon. Jan. 21 from 8-5pm.  All meetings are mandatory and crucial to team building.
 

APPLICATIONS

Questions?  Contact katie

"It is humbling to go on a domestic mission trip. There is not the glory of going outside of the country, but it is in this that the beauty lies.
There is so much need right here, and I was changed  because of that.  The people that you encounter will change your heart
and the people that you serve with will become a family. Truly my best spring break ever!"

In response to the question, if you could sum up the week in one word or phrase, what would it be?  A student replied with, “ordinary—what we did, as extraordinary as it was, should be a part of our ordinary lives, serving our brothers and sisters that are in front of us.”

 "I would definitely take the opportunity to go on the domestic mission trip! I would encourage you to do it because it was incredibly eye opening for me! You are able to touch so many lives that are right in our backyard, and you learn so much from them. You are able to step away from the comfort of your own lives and give your time, which is such a valuable commodity right now to do God’s will."

"The best part about mission trip was seeing Jesus in the people we served. This trip was my first choice because I wanted to help the people at our border and in our state who were in need. It was such a blessing to interact with and serve the people at the respite center. They had such beautiful stories and they will remain very close to my heart."