COMMON Application and Practical Questions
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Being a missionary can be a wild ride. It can be hard to give a yes to something you don't know much about. We get it, we see you, and want to really walk with you in the discernment process. Below are some general questions you may have about the Brew City Catholic Missionary Project. Hopefully this will help ease some of the general questions you may have.
Don't see your question answered? Please e-mail Anna at kozlowskia@archmil.org |
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS?
We ask that you are a practicing Catholic in good standing in the Church and 21-28 years old.
WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR THE UPCOMING 2023-2024 CYCLE?
Formation for the 2024 year will start June 2. We will have different interview weekend opportunities available during the year, and ask that you submit your application and references by the deadline prior to your interview weekend. All interview weekends take place in person in Milwaukee, WI. If you are not able to come to an Interview weekend, ask about setting up a separate time to Interview.
Interview Weekend 1: January 26-27, 2024
Application Deadline: January 19
Interview Weekend 2: February 23-24, 2024
Application Deadline: February 16
Interview Weekend 3: April 5-6, 2023
Application Deadline: March 27 (To accommodate the Easter Triduum)
Interview Weekend 1: January 26-27, 2024
Application Deadline: January 19
Interview Weekend 2: February 23-24, 2024
Application Deadline: February 16
Interview Weekend 3: April 5-6, 2023
Application Deadline: March 27 (To accommodate the Easter Triduum)
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Our commitment is two years. The missionary year will begin in June. If you foresee challenges in making a two year commitment (Vocation, Grad school, etc...) please contact us and we are open to discussion around accommodating for particular situations.
WHAT DOES YOUR MISSIONARY FORMATION LOOK LIKE?
June and August is the primary formation period where we address your spiritual, intellectual, human, and apostolic needs. Throughout the year, the mission staff will gather for Desert Days (day of reflection away from campus), opportunities for continued formation and encouragement. In addition, you will have other opportunities such as an 8-day Ignatian Silent Retreat, week long pilgrimage to Rome, week long mission trips, and other workshops and retreats to help you discover healing in Christ and your spiritual gifts.
WHO & WHERE WILL I SERVE?
Our missionaries serve on campuses in the Milwaukee Archdiocese. We have established teams at UW-Milwaukee and UW-Whitewater. We hope to expand to other campuses and areas of the Archdiocese. If you are interested in serving as a Young Adult Missionary, there may be different opportunities depending on the needs of young adult ministry.
HOW DO YOU FINANCIALLY SUPPORT YOURSELF AS A MISSIONARY? What if i have debt?
We invite and ask all missionaries to fundraise their salary. During your first week of formation, we will train and walk with you on what it means to build your financial and spiritual "Mission Support Team." We'll help you budget and help you determine your bills and expenses (accounting for student loans, car payments, etc...). During your time as a missionary, we want you to feel secure and provided for, and we will encourage you to embrace simplicity. You will develop financial skills, learn the value and gift of money, discern your wants from needs, and be generous stewards from what you have received.
IS A DATING FAST REQUIRED?
No, a dating fast is not required. We do ask though that missionaries pray and discern carefully with our staff whether or not a dating fast would be good for you. A dating fast can give you space to intentionally focus on your relationship with the Lord and your missionary work. In this, you would have the opportunity to create more space in your life and heart for how the Lord wants to form you during this privileged time.
WHAT IF HEALTH ISSUES COME UP DURING THE YEAR?
If health issues become any concern at any point of the year, whether physical or mental health, we will support you and connect you to resources needed to thrive again. If a situation becomes severe, you and our staff will work together in deciding whether a leave of absence or finishing your mission year early is possible.
WHAT DOES THE BREW CITY CATHOLIC MISSIONARY COMMUNITY LIFE LOOK LIKE?
Our missionaries will live together in community with their teammates from their campus, men with men and women with women. In this intentional community, you will have the opportunity to live with people who have a shared vision for life including the vision for prayer, mission, and joy. This includes consistent prayer, team formation, and intentional community time.
I'M NERVOUS I WON'T GET A JOB AFTER BEING A MISSIONARY THOUGH...
Say it with me now, "Be not afraid". Believe those words from Jesus FOR YOU! As a staff, we are here to set you up for success not for your time as a missionary but in life. Time as a missionary forms you to live in an integrated manner. During your formation, you'll learn what it means to be human. You learn how to build relationships, speak with people different from you, and find more about your personal gifts and talents. You will grow in empathy, boldness, building community, and other practical skills like time & project management. Our missionaries have gone on to graduate school in the medical field or theology, ministry, business, or design. We have missionaries that pursued their vocation in seminary, religious communities, and marriage.
BUT HOW DO I REALLY KNOW THIS IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR ME?
Here's our encouragement: you won't know until you apply. We invite you to complete the application process, speak with us in person or over the phone, and attend one of our interview weekends. It can take some time to get a good feel of whether or not that this is the space where the Lord wants you, and it can take some time for you to warm up to the idea. We will walk with you in this process and be by your side the entire time.
WHAT IF I'M MARRIED OR ENGAGED OR IN A RELATIONSHIP HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION?
(Side note: That's so exciting! Go pursue your vocation!) Serious note: please contact us if you have particular timeline related questions. We have had engaged missionaries and soon-to-be engaged missionaries join our staff at the beginning of their commitment and we will allow people to continue as missionaries after they are married.
WHAT SORT OF BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE
As an employee of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits are available.
