Encuentro y Misión students in 2022.

This program provides students with Theological education and a hands-on Immersion Experience meant to broaden their horizons and open their eyes to various pastoral, social, and economic realities.

Catholic Extension Society, in conjunction with Mexican-American Catholic College (MACC), offers Latino young adults who have completed diocesan formation and are looking for subsequent opportunities to learn and serve, a unique theological education and mission experience. The program is national in scope and crosses geographic and socio-economic borders with participants from diverse backgrounds. It will expose them to diverse pastoral and socio-economic realities (border issues, migrant workers, environmental issues) that will help deepen the learning experience by allowing the concepts and theories they learn in the classroom to come alive in their experiences.

The program seeks to create pathways for emerging Latino leaders to discover more about their faith, society, culture, and to discern how they are being called to build a stronger Church and world. Our goal is to cultivate talented, generous, well-rounded, and compassionate Latino/a faith leaders who will go on to apply their learnings to ministry and service in their churches and communities.

Program Summary: The program comprises an online course and an in-person mission experience, bringing together a cohort of like-minded young adults from extension dioceses. The course includes prayer, theological lectures, and development of a pastoral plan. After course completion, students attend a five-day supervised hands-on missionary immersion experience in a marginalized community in our country. Together, these experiences are meant to broaden their horizons and open their eyes to various pastoral, social, and economic realities.

Interested students may ask to receive academic credit at the undergraduate or graduate level based on their academic background at the time of admittance. Students should ask their college or university if they recognize and accept credits from the Mexican American Catholic College. If you choose to request academic credit, please do so promptly, before your institution’s spring break.

Program Structure

  1. Formation: Students are required to take the MACC Online course, “Transformational Leadership,” which will take place May 23 – June 15, 2023. Instructors will hold two classes per week, via Zoom, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:30pm – 9:15pm, Central Time
  2. Mission Immersion Experience: After completing the course, students will travel to a one-week missionary experience site – a supervised “hands-on” program designed and provided by a Catholic Extension Society partner organization.
    Immersion Dates:
    • Yakima, WA: Migrant Worker Realities:  Sunday, June 25 – Thursday, June 29, 2023. Travel days on the afternoon of Sunday, June 25 and returning June 29*
    • El Paso, TX: Border Realities: Mon. Aug. 7 -11, 2023. Travel days Aug. 7 and Aug. 11*
      Applicants will be asked to indicate their first choice and second choice in application.
  3. Post-Event Reunion and Reflection: Final reunion via zoom for post-program reflection in June 2024.

Who is Eligible?

Any Extension Diocese agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of the Initiative and submitting nominations for qualified young well-formed young people may apply. Selected candidates should possess the following profile:

  • Young adult Latinos (a) from ages 21 – 35 who have completed a formation program, are connected to their parish, considering getting more deeply involved in a vocation of service, or pursuing theological studies.
  • Students must be Bilingual (English/Spanish)
  • Work with the Hispanic community
  • Dreamers (DACA) are encouraged to participate

To Apply:

Complete the Online Application Form (one application required per student, to be submitted by the diocese, not the student) by the deadline of Friday, April 7, 2023 Deadline extended to Friday, April 28! The following items must be attached to the application:

Participant Testimonials:

  • “After I finished the program, I was back in Texas volunteering days later. It was such a unique and empowering experience. I felt in the zone, like I wanted to live those moments every day. Being able to learn not only how to make change, but to act and affect change. What really touched me was that it was taught through spirituality. It was big, it was eye-opening.”
  • “The people made an impact on me. My professors, the people that I was able to encounter in the immersions; the young adult leaders, the youth in Jackson, Mississippi. Every single encounter was fruitful. I saw how young adults serve so wholeheartedly – they have that hope. Through the classes, I learned the importance of learning oneself, in Christ, but also in culture. It brought me back to my roots of service. And I went back to church, ready to serve as a catechist.”
  • “En este programa me sentí libre de probar nuevas estrategias y dinámicas. Ver las reacciones de los niños y los ancianos fue muy impactante. Ahora, siento que puedo regresar a mi parroquia con más seguridad, nuevas estrategias para mantenerlos conectados a la fe.”
  • “I don’t have a capacity to do a year-long commitment because of school and my career, so this was a great intense experience. It was great to see other people from different backgrounds. I had an opportunity to grow and push myself to a different level of hard work that I hadn’t done before. Made me realize other people’s needs – that I’m somebody that CAN do something. I have a voice. I need to use it for those that can’t speak. One thing I am bringing back to my ministry is wanting to work with DACA students.”

For More Information, Contact:

Odette Barrientos, Senior Manager of Mission Programs, at (312) 795-6082 or obarrientos@catholicextension.org, or

Veronica Avila, Director of Mission Programs, at (312) 795-5128 or vavila@catholicextension.org.