Mission Office

Our World is Too Wonderfully Diverse Not to Explore!

The St. Cloud Mission Office actively engagement in our global church, and the interaction between peoples, cultures and lands needed to know the diversity of our world that reflects that of the diversity of our Triune GOD.

Does the Mission Office plan Mission Trips?

The St. Cloud Mission Office plans delegations to our partner dioceses of Maracay, Venezuela and Homa Bay, Kenya. These delegations travel every third year, in oposite years as each other. On non-travel years, we have alternating delegations visiting us from either Homa Bay or Maracay. Find out the most up-to-date info on the partnerships and where we're at in the travel cycle:

Contact us with your mailing address if you are interested in being added to an interest list for either or both of our partnership delegations.

Be sure to view our partnership pages (above) for highlights from past delegations to see what you could be a part of!

What are some other short-term mission trip options available to me?

If you're looking to travel in a non-travel year for one of our partnerships, or if you're looking for something in a different part of our world or at a different time of year, you're not out of luck! There are numerous other delegations that travel regularly you may be able to participate in.

• Nicaragua: Delegations go to Nicaragua each January to visit Fr. Ted Niehaus, OFM, CAP. For more information contact Sr. Carol Schmidt at Clare's Well in Annandale, MN.
• Nicaragua: In addition to delegations from our diocese visiting Fr. Teddy, Minnesota as a whole also has a sister-state relationship with León Nicaragua. To find out more about Project MN-León and how you can be part of a delegation.
• Guatemala: Groups often travel to our numerous connections in Guatemala, including destinations such as Common Hope, Rising Villages and San Lucas Toliman. Some parishes go every year.
• El Salvador: Although "Partners Across Borders," our sister city with Tenancingo in El Salvador, had to fold, the SHARE Foundation, umbrella organization for that sister city partnering, continues to do great work and has multiple delegations during the year for individuals or groups from all over the US. Check their website for more information, dates and applications.

• Fr. Joseph Healey, M.M. shares stories and symbols with the Mora Parish of their Mexican and Homa Bay, Kenya mission experiences.

  Mexico: Some parishes regularly take trips to the US/Mexico border through the organization Border Links. You may be able to join a group already going, or start your own. Read a Reflection done by one Border Links delegate.
• Maryknoll also offers multiple trips each year through their Lay Missioners Ministry of Global Spirituality programming. These Friends Across Borders trips visit varying destinations each year. For information on which trips are currently being planned and when, contact 414-967-1055 or email: maryknolltrips@yahoo.com
• And MORE!

Don't see anything you're interested here? Contact us for other possibilities that may arise.

What if I want to do mission work within the U.S.?

If you're unsure about mission work, or if you're looking for an experience for your teenage group, we recommend you consider doing mission work within the U.S. first. Although there are many organizations that help plan youth group mission trips domestically, we highly recommend Young Neighbors in Action. This organization combines service activities and interaction with the impoverished and opressed, with prayer and education on our Catholic Social Teachings and call to mission and justice.

What if I want to do long-term mission work?

There are countless opportunities for you to be a part of mission! If you're interested in something a little more long-term than a week or two-week experience, there are various mission-sending organizations looking for good people like you.

Check out a few mission options (pdf) that we recommend.

Be sure to contact us to share your interest and to learn more about both long and short-term mission, both domestic and foreign volunteer opportunities.

I don't feel called to travel, can I still be involved in Mission exchanges?

There are often visiting foreign missioners or delegates from one of our partner dioceses staying in our diocese. If your family or parish are interested in being involved with our visiting brothers and sisters or hosting them, contact us for more information.