2018 Class Profile

I'm curious just how long is a Catholic mission Trip? My C1C DS was originally c/o 2013 and resigned after his C4C yr and went on a TWO years foreign language LDS Church Mission to S. Korea. I didn't realize there were other Denominations that went on church missions that may require reapplying after being gone for two years. I'm sure other folks in here may be wondering what the process of reapplying to USAFA for Church missions, medical turnback/administrative leave difference/similarities are. I know cadets can take a 1 year leave and come back without going through nominations etc all over again. But LDS Cadets on 2 year Church Missions had to go through all the hoops like the 1st time applying. :rolleyes: It was pretty hectic emailing back and forth only ONCE a week to get his essays and application papers signed on time, special permission to skype for interviews with Senators/Representative etc...
 
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My sons' good friend had a two year mission trip to Guatamala, and is now in the seminary; he will be a chaplain after he is ordained (in two more years, I think).

A Catholic mission trip is not usually of a set duration; it really depends on the mission (which is often as much humanitarian as it is religious in nature). In the context of service academies, they are often one or two years. In this case, two years. And like the LDS cadets, this young man had to re-apply, and all the other accompanying paperwork... blah blah blah.

And, not all young Catholics are required to go on mission trips - in fact, most do not.
 
Thank you for the explanation!...and kudos to all the kids that do go on a Religious mission if they choose to...needless to say, my DS says it was the best fulfilling two years of his life. Hmmmm too bad the military doesn't recognize Religious church missions and award these selfless young adults the Humanitarian Service Medal?:thumb:
Also, I will admit though that I slightly tried to discourage him to postpone a church mission until he "retired" etc...but he said these three words..."Dad,....Its God before Country..." and that pretty much shut me up. :redface:
 
I'm curious just how long is a Catholic mission Trip? My C1C DS was originally c/o 2013 and resigned after his C4C yr and went on a TWO years foreign language LDS Church Mission to S. Korea. I didn't realize there were other Denominations that went on church missions that may require reapplying after being gone for two years. I'm sure other folks in here may be wondering what the process of reapplying to USAFA for Church missions, medical turnback/administrative leave difference/similarities are. I know cadets can take a 1 year leave and come back without going through nominations etc all over again. But LDS Cadets on 2 year Church Missions had to go through all the hoops like the 1st time applying. :rolleyes: It was pretty hectic emailing back and forth only ONCE a week to get his essays and application papers signed on time, special permission to skype for interviews with Senators/Representative etc...
WOW, back when we were at USAFA, we had several classmates that went on 2 yr LDS mission trips. They always went after their 3rd class year, and came back 2 yrs later, signed their commitment paperwork and started back as C2Cs, 2 yrs behind the class they started out with. They didn't have to do any applications or anything. I am surprised they did away with that program!
 
My sons' good friend had a two year mission trip to Guatamala, and is now in the seminary; he will be a chaplain after he is ordained (in two more years, I think).

A Catholic mission trip is not usually of a set duration; it really depends on the mission (which is often as much humanitarian as it is religious in nature). In the context of service academies, they are often one or two years. In this case, two years. And like the LDS cadets, this young man had to re-apply, and all the other accompanying paperwork... blah blah blah.

And, not all young Catholics are required to go on mission trips - in fact, most do not.

I have been a member of the Catholic Church for 60 years and have never heard of any young Catholic having to fulfill a requirement of a participating in a mission, regardless of length. I raised 3 children, none of whom were asked, yet alone required to participate in any church sponsored event, retreat, mission , etc. They did, voluntarily, attend retreats but none lasted more than a weekend. Seminarians perhaps have more specific requirements but there are no requirements I know of for "young Catholics" as you have suggested. Certainly there are none similar in length to those of the church of LSD. I searched the Catechism of the Catholic Church and found no reference to required missions. Please educate me. Perhaps the requirement you refer to is specific to your diocese?
 
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I should have said, Catholics are not required to go on mission trips at all, ever (though certainly we are all called to evangelize, but that discussion has no place here).

Many Catholics (mostly young) do go on missions of varying lengths, most lasting just weeks or months, but some, like this young man's, lasting 2+ years. Many are to South and Latin American countries, and to Africa, and almost all involved direct service to the poor, not just door-to-door meet-n-greets. These young people build sewage systems, help farm, build homes and schools, in essence, do all the corporal works of mercy.

Catholics, as you know, are never required to "go on missions" though we are indeed required to do corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

I have no numbers to prove it but it seems to me that more of the Catholic students, and indeed, more of the protestant students at all the Academies, are taking that year or in some cases two, to complete mission & service trips. Just a "feeling."
 
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