WHO IS CATHOLICS ON A MISSION?

In 2012, several high school students who were actively involved in the Franciscan Brothers Minor youth group approached Fr. David Mary Engo with an idea. Inspired by reading "Kisses from Katie," these teens felt called to "put their service where their faith is," and share the gospel with people in a foreign country which accepts missionaries under the age of 18. Costa Rica fit the bill.

Catholics on a Mission has become a student-driven service organization evangelizing our parishes, our cities and our world through Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.

In Redemptoris Missio, Blessed Pope John Paul II writes, ":the moment has come to commit all of the Church's energies to a new evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples."

Catholics on a Mission embraces this call of the Church and empowers high school and college students to explore the missionary and religious life through hands on experience. We recognize this generation has the capacity to accomplish great things, particularly under the direction of committed-Catholic adult leaders.

Evangelizing Our Parishes:

Our high school team members serve as liaisons to youth groups, encouraging them to collect items for the poor and homeless living in downtown Fort Wayne. Parishes are encouraged to sponsor a missionary from their own parish or adopt one from another, and commit to praying for their formation and our efforts. Our team assists smaller parishes with work projects as needed.

Serving the Poor in Our Cities:

Our team provides regular assistance to the poor by sharing seasonal clothing, food, love and respect with the city's homeless, and citywide service projects in support of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese and Bishop Kevin Rhoades as needed.

Evangelizing and Serving Our World:

Through annual mission trips to Costa Rica we administer to and evangelize the indigenous tribes and Costa Rican people. Our long term vision is to establish a permanent missionary base from which the Franciscan Brothers Minor will serve the local people and seminarians will be able to learn Spanish though immersion. College students have additional opportunities for extended service at the mission base camp and local orphanages.

Catholics on a Mission is Formative:

Students and adult leaders make a commitment to grow in charity through intellectual and spiritual growth, moral fortitude, consistent prayer and service. Formation is ongoing and includes (1) regular Eucharistic Adoration and group holy hours, (2) making a commitment to pray for Catholic missionaries and the people they serve, (3) reading and discussing church and missionary resources, (4) ongoing participation in group service projects, and (5) discussions with Catholic missionaries. High school and college students are trained to take a more active leadership role on the team as they grow in their faith.

Catholics on a Mission is Cooperative:

As members of the Body of Christ we have a responsibility to connect and build up the Church. Locally that includes finding bridges between parishes toward common goals. We accomplish this by building relationships across economic and ethnic divides. A financially affluent parish might feel called to adopt a missionary from another parish. Parishioners from a smaller, predominantly Spanish-speaking parish might provide invaluable assistance as translators. Each has something important to contribute.

We do not seek to undermine the important service work being done by parish youth groups. Rather we provide additional opportunities for students who want to explore a life of service with like-minded Catholics. We also encourage the participation of middle school students from our parishes. These future mission team members make rosaries and trinkets we take to Costa Rica to share with their people.

For more information please visit us online: www.CatholicsOnAMission.o rg

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dave MacDonald (260-422-5377).