Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
Mission trips are a unique opportunity for your Catholic community to share Christ’s love with the poor in developing countries.
When you partner with Cross Catholic Outreach, you’re partnering with a Catholic organization that has worked with priests, nuns and Catholic lay missionaries around the world for over 20 years.
Each mission trip experience allows U.S. Catholics to encounter the poor and serve alongside our ministry partners in their work. This service may include building homes or schools, feeding children, digging irrigation ditches, caring for orphans and vulnerable children, or visiting the elderly.
Our mission trips can be tailored to your group’s specific needs and interests, always grounded in our service to the Lord. We will help you plan, organize, and engage your Catholic community for a blessed and enriching experience.
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18
Nestled deep in the heart of Idaho, Holy Apostles Catholic Church participates in Cross Catholic’s Box of Joy program, which brings Christ’s love and joy during the Christmas season. In addition to its commitment to the good works, the parish also sponsors a mission trip with parishioners to visit Cross Catholic Outreach missions in Belize.
When Terry and Cindi Ruder visited the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima last year, they saw poverty – as well as incredible signs of hope. This was a “vision” trip provided to major supporters. Even in one of the most destitute areas of Guatemala, the Ruders saw the fruits of their generosity and the restoration of dignity among the poor.
The cost of each mission trip varies by destination,group size, length of stay and type of service project.
All food, lodging, materials for service, travel health insurance and devotional journals.
Airfare, trip insurance, travel visas, immunizations, and your personal essentials like clothing and toiletries.
Trips average seven days, but can be customized up to 12 days to fit each group’s needs.
At Cross Catholic Outreach, your safety is a high priority. We work closely with our ministry partners in each country to ensure your safety at all times. During your trip, you will stay at a secure compound, mission house or hotel. We register all groups with the U.S. Department of State.
Participants must be at least 13, and those who are 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
You will need to contact your cell phone carrier for international data packages available in the specific country you plan to visit.
When your group arrives in-country, a Cross Catholic Outreach team member will be there to meet you at the airport. Our team will be with you for your entire experience and see you off at the airport.
Yes. A detailed itinerary will be provided to you prior to your scheduled departure date.
It’s important that visitors respect local cultures and norms, so participants must adhere to a modest dress code. For work times, men and women should wear pants or modest shorts, and T-shirts. For church, men should wear khakis or slacks and a clean shirt; women should wear skirts or dresses (knee length or longer). For leisure time, men should wear swim trunks; women should wear one-piece bathing suits. Bikini-style or tight bottoms or sleeveless shirts are not allowed.
A Cross Catholic Outreach team member will contact you with a packing list before your trip.
Depending on the country you go to, projects range from clean water wells, feeding, construction, and helping at orphanages or nursing homes.
No. interpreters will be provided.
Yes — a valid U.S. Passport is required.
There will be morning and evening devotions, prayer, and worship. Our goal is that your relationship with the Lord grows stronger!
At this time, we do not host trips for individuals to join.
Personal safety is Cross Catholic Outreach’s top priority. Whether it’s you, your group, our ministry partners, or those they serve, service to the poor must be done in a safe and controlled manner.
Cross Catholic Outreach has established thorough mission trip protocols to protect against COVID-19. This includes requirements for pre-travel, travel, in-country service and stay, and return travel back to the U.S.
If you’re interested in learning how your Catholic group can put faith into action through a mission trip, complete and submit the form below. Our team will help you plan, organize, and engage your Catholic community for a blessed and enriching experience. Note, at this time, we do not offer mission trips for individuals to join — only trips planned as a group.
Our mission is to mobilize the global Catholic Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ. Your gift empowers us to serve the poorest of the poor by channeling life-changing aid through an international network of dioceses, parishes and Catholic missionaries. This cost-effective approach helps break the cycle of poverty and advance Catholic evangelization.