Cathedral Missions

[tlock]

Hello,
I’m new to this forum, and I’ve joined specifically to discuss a ministry I wish to start. Below, I discuss the idea. I would really appreciate comments, criticisms, questions or any idea you have about this.

Thanks you for taking the time to help,
God Bless,
Tom Locker

Cathedral Missions

A few years ago I was staying in downtown Salt Lake City on a business trip.  After work one evening I walked up to the Mormon Temple to see the grounds.  Upon arriving, I was greeted (as was everyone else visiting) by two college-age ladies.  They gave me a guided tour of the museum and grounds (only “high” level Mormons are allowed in the Temple itself).  And, of course, they “evangelized” a bit.
That evening has stuck with me.  I’ve been to many of the great cathedrals in Europe, and no one ever greeted me.  Such a great evangelizing opportunity is being missed.
As I understand it, young Mormons are strongly encouraged to devote a few years after high school to missionary work.  I envy Mormonism’s ability to develop solid families, faithful congregations and wholesome human beings.  I’m sure I’m not the only Catholic who has thought, “Why can’t we have some of that spirit?”  I believe that their missionary program plays no small part in the strength of Mormonism.
Catholics also need to establish a strong missionary spirit within our congregation, starting with our young people.  I envision a ministry to establish organizations at every significant Catholic “tourist” location to provide guides to the site, providing historical and architectural information about the place as well as evangelizing.
Examples of these “tourist” locations would be the California Missions, all the major cathedrals in Europe, (Notre Dame, St. Peters, etc), sites significant to Christian history (the Coliseum, Calvary, Capernaum, etc), religious sites like Lourdes, Fatima, the Shroud of Turin.  There are hundreds, if not thousands of these sites.
Practically, this ministry (for now I’m calling it Cathedral Missions) would operate something like the foreign exchange student programs of years past.  Pastors and parents would encourage suitable young people to seek this mission opportunity.
Parishes close to the significant site would pick and vet trusted families to house, rent free, the young participants.  The participants would need to raise funds for their mission (they should not be solely supported by their parents).  They would need to pay the hosting family for food and other expenses associated with their stay and provide their own incidental and entertainment expenses.
Before starting their mission they would attend an approximately two week program (geared to the location they have selected) of history, language, catechesis, defense of Catholic doctrine and moral teachings and other factors relevant to the task.  In addition, they would be expected to answer and defend against common issues used to attack the Church such as the Crusades, the Inquisition, “persecution” of Galileo, pedophile priests, human tradition accusations, and so on.
Initially the participants would need to commit for a fairly short period, perhaps three months.  This would probably extend as the ministry developed.  Each day during their assignment would start with Mass.  Enrolles would be expected to work five eight-hour days each week providing the above described services at their site.  Evenings would include regular Bible studies, and review of their initial training.
I hope to start the ministry next summer with at least a few missionaries at one of the California Missions.
I pray that eventually Catholic children will think of a “Cathedral Mission” as a natural part of their future.  A way of serving the Lord as normal and common as going to Mass on Sunday.