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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2010
CONTACT: Monica Raugitinane, 703-403-0990
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Chief of Public Relations
Commissioned by Christ
COMMISSIONED BY CHRIST COMPLETES FIRST-EVER MISSION TRIP TO BANICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
18 missionaries built outhouses for families during the mission.
FAIRFAX, Va. (Aug. 16, 2010) – Commissioned by Christ (CBC) completed its first-ever mission trip bringing 18 missionaries from the ages of 13 to 70 to deepen their Catholic faith and serve their brothers and sisters in Christ in Bánica, Dominican Republic from July 24-31, 2010. The missionaries explored and discovered the trip theme, ‘they will know us by our love for one another’, through celebrating daily Mass, prayer, reflection, and mission work. The missionary group helped build six outhouses to improve basic sanitation needs for families in a rural village outside of Bánica.
“This trip is just the beginning of Commissioned by Christ’s vocation to involve lay Catholics all over the world in the mission life of the Church,” said CBC President and CEO Jessica Aldrich. “It’s exciting to see the difference that a one week mission has made in the lives of the mission team, inspiring them to take action and learn more about their faith.”
The primary mission work of building outhouses required digging holes ten-feet deep into the ground from scratch, mixing and smoothing down cement for the floor, nailing the wooden framework, and finishing the project with tin. The missionaries were divided into groups and completed the project alongside Dominican parishioners of La Parroquia de San Francisco de Asis, the Catholic parish in Bánica.
In addition to the mission project, missionaries were assigned to prayer partners and bible verses to lead morning and evening prayer and reflection on a specific day of the trip. The mission team also hiked to the Cave of St. Francis of Assisi and met one-on-one with local Dominican families.
“I am always on a journey in my spiritual life and this trip was very enriching to my soul. I feel invigorated, refreshed.,” said Amanda Trainor Patrick. “I am having an easier time praying, showing gratitude, and appreciating what’s simple and beautiful in life. I look forward to doing more for Christ in whatever way I am called.”
In preparation for the trip, Commissioned by Christ held three pre-trip meetings and three half-day spiritual orientations in Virginia, which included Mass, key speakers, prayer, reflection, and team-building activities.
Missionaries were selected in March based on essay responses, health and previous mission experience. The mission team was comprised of individuals from Virginia, Maryland and Texas; a family of six, a married couple, eight working adults, and two retired adults. In addition, five missionaries spoke intermediate to fluent Spanish.
Commissioned by Christ is currently planning one domestic and two international short-term mission trips throughout 2011. Further details about informational sessions for these trips will be provided in the future.
For more information about Commissioned by Christ, please visit www.CommissionedbyChrist.org.
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About Commissioned by Christ
Commissioned by Christ (CBC) is a Catholic non-profit organization that plans, fundraises for, and conducts short-term Catholic mission trips for working adults and families. CBC mission trips aim to bring Catholics closer to Christ through a three-tiered approach including personal prayer and reflection time, emphasizing the importance of building Christian friendships, and providing an opportunity to partake in works of mercy by helping those in material and spiritual need.
www.CommissionedbyChrist.org |
