I have at least 1 year experience in parish/youth ministry OR comparable work experience.
I am willing to make a year long commitment to this missionary intern program (early-July through early-June).
I am willing to participate in additional Youth Minister Training.
I am willing to commit to evangelization efforts within the parish and greater community.
I will fully support, encourage and strive to live out the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
I am willing to fast from dating, or at least not begin any new romantic relationship during my time of serving at Our Lady, Star of the Sea. If I am already in a romantic relationship at the time before my service begins, I understand that it should not interfere with my missionary service.
Fundraising? -nope!
$0 NO FUNDRAISING NECESSARY! Internship is covered by the Parish - even including travel expenses and housing. See "What is the financial cost to the Parish?" further below for more information on this.
What do missionaries do?
A missionary intern’s week will include, but is not limited to, serving in the following ministerial expectations and responsibilities:
Daily Mass.
Daily personal prayer time.
Weekly administrative work in the parish office.
On-going administrative planning and leadership responsibilities for youth or young adult program coordination (including all program aspects from intentional investment in youth & volunteers, year-long curriculum planning, marketing and communication, retreat planning and facilitation, collaboration with fellow missionaries, volunteers and Missionary Intern Director).
Parish staff meetings, weekly missionary team meetings, bi-weekly individual meetings with supervisor (Missionary Intern Director), and monthly mentorship meetings.
Facilitation of the Wednesday evening, Sunday morning and evening youth faith formation programs (Fidelis and Fraternus).
Opportunity to serve in our Catholic School in various ways depending on gifting and needs.
Opportunity to participate in Young Adult and That Man is You programs.
Participation in Sunday Hospitality.
Rotation of “Open Youth Center” hours – being available for fellowship, mentorship and witnessing to parish and community youth.
Weekly team and household community time to encourage a healthy team dynamic and Christ-centered friendships among the missionary interns.
What formation do the missionaries receive?
A missionary intern’s on-going formation during the year he or she serves at Our Lady Star of the Sea focuses on these areas: Missionary Interns grow spiritually through:
Daily Mass and regular reception of the Sacrament of Penance.
Eucharistic Holy Hours/daily prayer time (individually and as a team).
Opportunity for Spiritual, Professional, and Personal Mentoring .
Theological formation through parish missions, personal retreats, spiritual reading.
Missionaries are strongly encouraged to attend Lenten Stations of the Cross, Friday Vespers, and Advent & Lenten Missions.
Missionary Interns grow professionally through:
Administrative work in parish office.
Weekly tactical/collaborative meetings with fellow missionary interns and Missionary Intern Director.
Bi-weekly individual meetings with Missionary Intern Director: focusing on program development and troubleshooting obstacles, personal & program goals, collaboration with volunteers/teammates, semester evaluations, overall success as a missionary intern.
Administrative planning, coordination and leadership of designated parish programs.
Shadowing other Parish positions, as well as positions at our Catholic School, to learn the ins and outs of how a parish operates, communicates, and supports each other to successfully pursue the parish overall mission together.
Missionary Interns grow personally through:
Fellowship and recreation time with their missionary teammates, parishioners, as well as other young adults involved in ministry in the Archdiocese.
Days off (normally Mondays & Saturdays) are opportunities for recreation, fellowship and personal time.
Missionaries are encouraged to participate in Sunday Hospitality, the Lenten Fish Fry, and any parish or school community events to foster relationships with parish families. A missionary’s visible witness to the parish is an important aspect of this internship opportunity.
Personal mentorship by a member of the parish (opportunity for learning from someone who will offer encouragement, support, accountability and friendship for the missionary during his or her year of service).
What is the financial cost to the parish?
The cost is roughly $10,000/missionary intern. This helps cover the cost of the necessary expenses for each missionary to live in Bremerton and serve at the parish for one academic year.
Missionary interns are provided with parish housing, a monthly stipend for personal expenses such as food, personal items, activities; use of parish vehicles for parish activities and missionary needs; stipend for monthly team outing.
Parish covers the cost of travel for the start and end of the missionary’s year of service, along with round-trip travel for Christmas break.