Catholic Missionary Groups

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eliznate

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I am a recent convert to the faith and cannot be happier!

My husband and I strongly feel called to be a missionary family, God willing and have been discouraged in our search. Many of the supposed Catholic groups do not allow couples to have dependents. We recently interviewe with Maryknoll and found ourselves also in an awkward and uncomfortable position. I do not want to generalize or stereotype, but my experience with the organization was very disheartening. We felt odd, and out of place because we follow the Magesterium’s teaching and because we believe in the church’s infallible teaching. The missionaries we met we very liberal, thought that homosexuality is that of the fight for civil rights and to end descrimination. When I explained my position, that we must love everyone as overselves, but that the act of homosexuality in my opion was disorderd, I wanted to run away to see thier reactions.

We are waiting to hear back from them, whether or not they accept us. Together my husband and I have been contemplating what we should do as faithful Catholics if we get accepted. Would it be wrong to go with the organization, or perhaps God may put us their to be a wittness and as our cross?

Despite whatever decesion we may or may not have to make in regards to Maryknoll, does anyone know any other faitful Catholic mission groups that accepts missionary families? We really would like to live permanently in a third world country, and live amongst the poor.

Any help, advice or suggestions are of much help…

Thank you and God Bless!

Eli
 
Eli,

I am sorry to hear that you are having a rocky road. However, this could only mean that God wants to find the best missionary group for you.

Have you contacted your home diocese as of yet and spoken with someone there? That is what they are there for and can be a wealth of information. Also, the USCCB could be of some help.

Hope this helps.
 
The Legion of Christ has an organization that I believe is called Catholic World Missions. They serve in Latin America, and the missionary families have an average of 5 children and an average income of $5,000/year. That covers living with the poor and doing it as a family. The Legionaries of Christ are also known for their fidelity to the Magisterium and high numbers of vocations (although they are also accused of the same sorts of things as Opus Dei - excessively/unhealthily secretive, etc.) I’ve never had contact with the organization itself, only read its website, but it seems it may be the sort of thing you’re looking for. If my memory serves me correctly, the Columban Fathers may also accept lay persons with families into their missionary activities, but I’m not sure.
 
The Catholic Based ministry called Couples for Christ (CFC) Family has missionary all over the world. I can not speak for the missionary side of the house as to requirements and restrictions, however, I do know couples who is and has gone on mission both inside and outside of the US.

To date, CFC is in 117 countries.

If you are interest, please let me know.
 
Eliznate,

Howdy from Houston! Its interesting reading your story. The other day I was at the Catholic bookstore, Veritas and James (one the the employees) told me about a story about a couple that sounded very similar to the one stated above. Like you and your husband, I too feel called to the missionary life. I have checked MANY groups and actually had a negative experience with a group in Latin America. I can go into more detail about my experience if you would like. Or you could even call me since it looks like you live in Houston also. Just send me a pm and let me know.

My advice to you: choose WISELY and don’t rush into it. Which it looks like you are doing. As far as specifics for married couples I really don’t know.

I will suggest to you a couple of good organizations. One is SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity). They have a mission in Belize and their ministry is teaching. That is Fr. Corapi’s order. Their website is solt3.org.

Another excellent group is the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. They are based in the South Bronx New York. There isn’t really any info about volunteer on their website but you can call them at the friary to get more info. Their web addy is franciscanfriars.com. I spent about a week and a half visiting them earlier this year and it was awesome. I was seriously considering volunteering with them there until I came across my current program.

I will be volunteering with the Missioners of Christ in Honduras for this following year. Their web site is missioners.org. However, there isn’t really any info about their Honduras program there. I can give you some names and numbers of people to contact. The MOC work with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (same guys as in the South Bronx) in their ministries.

You may also want to check out these other threads about Latin American missionary stuff:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=4307

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=4148&highlight=Latin+american

Hope this info helps! God bless you and your husband as you continue your jouney with Christ!

:blessyou:
 
Did you ever find any group that matched well with you and your husband?

btw, now there is Honduras info at missioners.org
 
Here you go . . .

fmcmissions.com/

Click on Meet our Missionaries and you’ll see a large missionary family working in Mexico.

God bless you and your husband for your generosity! —KCT
 
I second KCT’s suggestion of FMC (Family Missions Company). I’ve had several friends work with them and they are AMAZING and solidly Catholic!
 
eliznate said:
The missionaries we met we very liberal, thought that homosexuality is that of the fight for civil rights and to end descrimination.
Click to expand...
😦

I am wondering the some thing, too: Are there any good orthodox missions? It is definitely a stereotype that the “conservatives” (orthodox) Roman Catholics don’t care about feeding the poor, etc. There FSSP and ICKSP have missions, though.
 
I hope you’re still looking for a Catholic Missionary opportunity where you can serve as a married couple. Here something I recently posted, which may help:

I am writing this on behalf of the Catholic Community of St. John. In Saltillo, Mexico they have an urgent need for missionaries. They have built 3 mission houses to serve the community in various ways. At the forefront, the Community sponsors children, from severely impoverished circumstances, by paying for their private education. This is done through donor donations. They are in need of missionaries to live in the houses and help the students with their schoolwork, since they are being given an amazing opportunity they would not have otherwise. The missionaries also visit families in the surrounding areas, to pray with them and to determine whether anyone is in need of dire help. For the most part, the missionaries do these house visits in order to be a good influence on children’s lives. The mission houses also provide medicine (with the presentation of a prescription) as well as a soup kitchen.

Currently, I am serving in Saltillo and have seen the amazing impact the missionaries have had on the community. It is important to note that, although I have given a general overview of what the missionaries do, there are various needs in the community that need to be filled. Missionaries do not necessarily work with the scholarship students or in the soup kitchen, everyone is placed according to their skills and abilities. Speaking Spanish is not a requirement, since there have been many volunteers who came and learned Spanish during their term of service.

Within the next 3 months all of the current volunteers, from all 3 houses, will be returning to their homes. As such, the situation is rather dire, and the community is in desperate need of new volunteers. Room, board, and food are provided. Basically, all your basic needs are met, and you only have to pay for your plane ticket here.

Please, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I researched and prayed about a variety of mission opportunities, and I am glad God led me here. Although I haven’t been here very long, I am having an amazing time and would hate to see the community suffer a lack of volunteers. Also, if you know of anybody that would be interested in coming, spread the word! If you are not in the position to volunteer, I ask for your prayers. God Bless.
People of all ages can serve, including married couples. You can also stay for as long as you would like, though the longer you can stay, the better. Here is the congregation’s American website: communityofstjohn.com/. However, because they have more of a presence in other countries (especially France), they don’t have information on this particular mission. I’m trying to help them by giving them a voice on the internet! Anyways, feel free to send me a private message as well if you are interested.
 
Hey JMJrock,

My wife and I have been seeing your half dozen posts on this forum re: the Community of StJohn’s need for help. We’ve visited their site(s) and find their spirituality beautiful. We’ve been discerning missionary work for our whole family (we have six kids ranging from 1.5yr - 13yr olds), and are very interested in learning more about the community’s work in this area. Do you know if they do/can accept entire families, and what’s involved in preparing for such apostolic work?

Like you said their web sites don’t speak about missionary work for the lay family but who can give us more info? How can I send you a PM - can you give me a contact?

May God bless your work and love for Him,
Peter & Tam Truong
truongbraveheart@yahoo.com
 
braveheart said:
Hey JMJrock,

My wife and I have been seeing your half dozen posts on this forum re: the Community of StJohn’s need for help. We’ve visited their site(s) and find their spirituality beautiful. We’ve been discerning missionary work for our whole family (we have six kids ranging from 1.5yr - 13yr olds), and are very interested in learning more about the community’s work in this area. Do you know if they do/can accept entire families, and what’s involved in preparing for such apostolic work?

Like you said their web sites don’t speak about missionary work for the lay family but who can give us more info? How can I send you a PM - can you give me a contact?

May God bless your work and love for Him,
Peter & Tam Truong
truongbraveheart@yahoo.com
Click to expand...
In answer to your question, they are definitely willing to accept families. There was a family here for a couple of years who arrived with 4 kids and left with 5. I’ll go ahead and send you a PM with more information. But it’s great to hear of your interest!
 
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