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June 2012: Sunday, June 10 – Sunday, June 17, 2012
December 2012: Thursday, December 27 - Thursday, January 3, 2013
Beginning in June 2012, the Vocations Office of the Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians) will sponsor, in partnership with the Viatorian Community in Belize, week-long immersion encounters in Corozal, Belize, Central America, for young adults ages 19-30.
The purpose of these encounters is to learn about the culture and people of northern Belize and to experience the ways in which the Viatorians are active in service to these communities.
Participants will have the opportunity to dialogue and pray with young adult Belizeans about life and faith while connecting into some of the ministries the Viatorian Community animates.
The Viatorians will sponsor two Belize immersion trips each year—one during the summer and one during Christmas break.
We are accepting applicants for the upcoming program. In the application, please indicate a bit of the service and leadership you have been involved in with the Viatorians and a bit about how you would like to get more involved in the Viatorian mission. |
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Cost: Apart from the cost of airfare and insurance, for which you would be responsible, we are asking for $550 to cover transportation, food, lodging and a day excursion. This cost does not cover souvenirs or personal snacks.
Each participant is required to sign up for international travel insurance. Such a plan would offer emergency medical evacuation and repatriation for U.S. residents travelling outside the U.S. Some companies offering this insurance include: TravMed Abroad by FrontierMEDEX, Air Rescue Card by Travel Assist, MedEvac by Travel Guard. Proof of enrollment covering the duration of the program dates must be provided to Bart Hisgen 2 weeks prior to the program’s start date.
Don’t panic: We will help you raise much of this money by connecting you to supporters who we will call “mission partners.” Plus, the Viatorians will offer scholarships and a payment plan if you need additional help.
Details - The Trip
Participants will spend 7 days with the Viatorian Community in Corozal, Belize, which borders southern Mexico. The trip will include:
- Five days of activities in direct contact with the people of Corozal.
- Evening group activities that include discussion & prayer focused on the culture of Belize and the mission of the Viatorians.
- A day-long trip to Mayan ruins or a day-long trip to a coastal island for snorkeling.
- Gatherings with Catholic youth group members from Corozal and surrounding villages.
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Advance Preparation
As part of mission preparation, each participant agrees to:
- Become familiar with the preparation packet they receive prior to the program.
- Recruit “mission partners” for prayer and financial support from a school or parish.
- Attend the orientation in person or via Skype. The date and time will be announced upon acceptance.
Things Worth Knowing
Accommodations will be simple.
- Participants will stay with parish families near the mission’s main church in Corozal.
- The program is an alcohol-free, structured service-immersion experience, with some free time.
- Most evenings include gatherings for prayer and discussion.
- All participants must sign a Community Living Agreement in which they agree to attend at all group activities.
- Expect to sweat—day and night. Summer temperatures range from mid-70s at night to mid-90s during the day. Humidity is high. There is no air conditioning.
Are You Interested?
Complete the form-fillable application, print then return it to Belize Immersion Program, Bart Hisgen, 1212 East Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, or scan and email to bart@viatorians.com. Please give the Letter of Recommendation to someone in the Viatorian Community who knows you. Please return all this information to me on a rolling basis up to March 12, 2012. At that time we will select the 8-10 participants based on their abilities, background and references. Consideration will also be given so that the group includes both genders and represents several Viatorian institutions.
I will inform those accepted during the week of March 19 after which time she/he will have 4 business days to send in a $200 deposit. If this is not done, I will simply move down the list until the team is assembled. This $200 deposit will then be counted toward the $550 program cost.
Don’t wait. Now is the time to get active. |
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