Has anybody thought about Catholic relief/missionary work?

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Hi, my name is dakotagirl and I am compulsively thinking about relief work. The only problem is my parents WILL throw a tantrum. They will be angry because even though I am in my early 20’s I never know what I am doing and obviously haven’t thought this through. The main issue for them will be money, of which I will be earning next to nothing… I realize I don’t need their permission, but their disapproval might make me chicken out with some half-baked reason. I guess I’m just looking for encouragement. Anybody been there/done that??
 
This can only come from inside of you.

If their disapproval will drive you away from what you believe God is calling you to do, then you need to continue to pray and pray until their “disapproval” no longer matters to you.

Personally, I’d say your parents priorities are screwed up if they would be disappointed that you chose missionary work over money.

All I can tell you is that is their problem. Clearly their self-esteem is tied to money. That’s not your issue, don’t own it.
 
amatehouse.org/

You sound like someone who has a definite vocation to missionary work. This is a wonderful organization of recent college grads & college students who live in community in the Chicago area doing just that. The committment I believe is only one year. Why don’t you contact them, just to talk over your concerns with them…after all, they probably will have been through a similar experience. Pray on it…you will be in my prayers.👍
 
Wow, thanks so much for the reply!! I shall look into that.

re: my vocation,…we will see… 🤷
 
Oh dear; sadly, anything remotely having a connection with Benedictine College gives me the ladylike urge to puke. I had some bad experiences there once upon a time and have found that my classmates at the local state university extend me greater courtesy and charity.

Thank you very kindly for the suggestion, though. 🙂
 
My sister volunteers 2 weeks each summer to work on a reservation in South Dakota. I also have a friend who volunteers 2 weeks in Haiti every summer. Both of them have told me stories, some pretty scarey, but yet it does not deter them from ever going. Unselfish giving of yourself in charitable service…you understand what Christian means. I understand, but still cant get over my hesitation to do it myself. I will pray for you and please pray for me as well.
 
BECOME A MISSIONARY WITHOUT LEAVING HOME…Most of us because of many reasons may never get the opportunity to leave home and become a missionary…But, you can become quite active as a missionary without leaving home…For example, you can contact Catholic Relief Service, Food for the Poor, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, etc., and have them send you information on their organization and self address envelopes which you can put on the table at the entrance of the church and some people at church will pick the envelope up and mail in a check to the mission…or you can put an item in the Parish newsletter “Becoming a Missionary Without Leaving Home”…or you can start a “Share the Weight” program at your church, encouraging people who want to lose weight to come in to the church once a month for a weigh in and donate a $1 to the mission of their choice for every pound lost, hopefully helping other people on the mission to get more food and gain the weight you just lost…and of course, there are unlimited ideas you can come up with…Good Luck and God Bless…ErnieG
 
🙂 Hi dakotagirl, my name is Laurie. I haven’t posted in these forums much at all, but I read them often. I’m also wanting to do Catholic lay missionary work. In my case, it will be a step in discerning a possible religious vocation. My situation is similar to yours in that my family will probably not approve of it entirely. I found a program that interests me through a directory called Response 2008. It’s a directory of full-time, faith-bases volunteer programs. My pastor suggested it to me, and there’s lots of good information in it. It’s published by the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service, and I think you could request a copy at their website which is www.cnvs.org. I hope this information is helpful to you!
 
Hi Ernie,…that’s a smokin idea…thank you!!

Hi Laurie, thanks so much for the reply…idk if this applies to you, but one of my big faults is to just think abt stuff and not take action… That’s mainly what I’m doing now…although people have given me excellent ideas… thanks all!
 
Dakotagirl-
First off, you are in my prayers. I know where you’re coming from! Over a year ago, I felt a calling to the faith that lead to me leaving my career as a wedding/special event planner and heading on back to school. I realized:

a) That I’m meant to be Catholic
b) That being a pocketbook philanthropist WASN’T enough (which was what I had grown up with)
c) That planning secular weddings was not pleasing to the Lord and therefore not a good choice of career for me
d) That I needed to seriously, prayerfully decide what I was supposed to do now! (careerwise… it was already pretty clear I needed to become Catholic!)

Breaking this news to my secular, business-minded family was exceedingly difficult, they were so proud of the clientelle I had built up and the contracts I was getting. But my family being proud of me does not feel near as good as doing works that are pleasing to the Lord. I’ve been going to school to learn all of the business practices to work in not-for-profit and I plan to dedicate my life to helping others in any way I can. My dream is to work in public relations for Catholic Social Services.
Because I felt the need to help people NOW, I took a job as a student journalist and I’m now an editor with the Canadian University Press, and I spend 90% of my time advocating for the needs of students and maybe 10% managing my staff and writing.

What I’m trying to say is that it is difficult. You’ll often get the comment that not-for-profit work doesn’t pay well (because I sure do). My answer is always:
“Well, if everyone let that stop them from working in not-for-profit, then there wouldn’t be anyone there to help you when you need it”

Pray, pray, pray. God gave us each talents and we discover them when He’s ready for us to. If you’re meant for a life of this type of service, He will show you the way.
 
dakotagirl said:
Hi, my name is dakotagirl and I am compulsively thinking about relief work. The only problem is my parents WILL throw a tantrum. They will be angry because even though I am in my early 20’s I never know what I am doing and obviously haven’t thought this through. The main issue for them will be money, of which I will be earning next to nothing… I realize I don’t need their permission, but their disapproval might make me chicken out with some half-baked reason. I guess I’m just looking for encouragement. Anybody been there/done that??
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If that is what you feel called to do, go for it. There are many groups you can go with to do the work.

Cartias is one option
caritas.org/services/faq.html

Catholic Relief Services:
crs.org/act/participate.cfm

Sisters of Mercy:
sistersofmercy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=44&Itemid=98

Maryknoll Lay Missoinaries
mklaymissioners.org/

Also, check with your local diocese office, they often have leads to other relief services (e.g. New Orleans). Some office like this (or have your diocese or you can contact them for relief work.
dow.org/charities_social_act.html

If you want to stay closer to home, check out

St Joseph Workers
stjosephworkers.org/
part of csjstpaul.org/
 
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