There we will work on houses, play with children and the elderly, and serve as we are best able. We go with the imperative to foster reconciliation. We will engage in cultural exchange programs each evening on the reservation. We will be transformed.

In the coming weeks, as we prepare to travel, you will hear from our teens in the morning and evening services about our work, the people to whom we go, how you might support us, and how we plan to share our stories throughout the trip and upon our return.

Why are we doing this?

First and foremost, we are called by Christ to go into the world, to reach out to others, to care for all of God's creation, to listen to the stories of those who are historically mistreated and endemically poor. We go to be challenged to see and meet a culture in a way we can never know simply through reading, conversation or watching a movie. We will pray together, engage our spirituality and faith more deeply and broadly. We go to a place in need and will receive far more than we will ever be able to offer. We go to listen and grow. We go to be curious.

The youth program at St. Mary's has strengthened and grown in the past two years. It is now time for us to grow even stronger and deepen our relationships with each other and the community. We will come to know each other, challenge each other and excite each other with greater youth leadership and greater service in our own community and beyond. We are moving toward a whole program that intends to create a lifelong relationship with God and the faith community.

"If we keep in mind that a good portion of our youth ministry is intended to help young people become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ, then we need to create opportunities that will let them see themselves as disciples. Mission experiences can be an extremely powerful way to do that."---Scott Meier

How might you take part and support our youth?

Keep an eye on the web site: maryonamission.typepad.com. Read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, or watch the HBO film of the same title. Make a donation to the trip. Take part in the silent auction. Support the bowl-a-thon. And above all, pray for our teens and their companions.