It is often by being sent on Christian service that a person's faith life becomes a much more tangible and important part of who they are. To this end, our office is working to develop an opportunity for young adults to participate in an international mission trip. We are partnering with Commissioned by Christ to help organize logistics and travel details. We are excited to offer this new opportunity for young adults to engage in their faith, experience a different culture, and form new relationships with other young adults.
Mission Trip Details
- February 23 - March 2, 2024
- Piura, Peru
- Ages 19 - 35
- $2,500*
What's included: Roundtrip airfare, ground transportation, modest lodging accommodations, all meals, travel insurance, T-shirt, Diocesan chaplain
*Updated as of May, 2023. Estimated cost per person and is subject to airline costs at the time of purchase.
The Mission: What to Expect
Peru has become the most food-insecure country in South America, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. Some 16.6 million people - more than half the population -- now find themselves without regular access to enough safe and nutritious food. CBC's mission trip to Santisimo Sacramento, the Catholic mission parish in Piura, is a transforming journey, drawing the missionary closer to Christ through serving some of the poorest of His poor. Many people of Piura, Peru and the surrounding villages lack the basic necessities of life. Some go without food or clean water whenever there is a drought. Others have no access to the medical care they need. Many of the surrounding rural villages lack the basic necessities that we take for granted every day like electricity, drinking water, or a bathroom.
Santisimo Sacramento provides food packages to poor families, donated clothing, building materials, access to medical care, heavily subsidized private education, orphanages for abandoned children, and many other important services for the people of Piura, in addition to caring for the spiritual needs of the Parish. During your stay in Piura, you will have the opportunity to meet the people of the parish, celebrate Mass with them, and work in a few of the several social service projects the parish is carrying out to improve the standard of living for the poorest people in the community.
Sample Mission Trip Itinerary
- 7:30 a.m. Morning prayer, grace and breakfast as a mission team
- 8:00 a.m. Collect personal belongings for the day; depart for mission site
- 9:00 a.m. Depart for mission site
- 12:00 p.m. Return to Santisimo Sacramento Parish for lunch & siesta
- 2:00 p.m. Depart to mission sites for afternoon work
- 4:00 p.m. Return to Santisimo Sacramento Parish and clean up for Mass
- 6:00 p.m. Mass
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner, talk, evening reflection
- 9:00 p.m. Free time
- 11:00 p.m. Lights out
Preparing for Mission
We will prepare the young adult mission team practically, spiritually, and catechetically. This is accomplished over a 3-month timeframe during two 1/2-day retreats, one 1/2-day group service project to help a local organization in need, and a post- trip meeting, in addition to the week on mission.
Registration
Please fill out this brief interest form (no commitment required) to be included in the list of potential participants. We will email the registration link when it is available. Formal registration will be handled through Commissioned by Christ (online) and will require a $250 deposit at time of registering.
Deadline: Registration will be open through October 2023
Contact
For more information or questions, please email Jamie Chichester at Jamie.chichester@arlingtondiocese.org or call 703-841-2559