TEAM LEADERS
Hello! My name is Brianna and though I grew-up in Ohio, I have called many places home! I now live in Wisconsin and I teach middle school religion, social studies, and math at a catholic school! This is my current mission from the Lord but over the past few years I done youth ministry at a parish, served on a full-time retreat team for two years, and coached and taught on a Native American reservation. I love Jesus, inspiring young people, and traveling! I am thrilled to be joining the CMT adventure this summer and helping lead others close to the heart of Christ! It is a privilege and honor. Please keep us all in your prayers! God bless!
Michael Snyman has served his country as a U.S. Air Force cargo jet mechanic for the past 6 years. His job has brought him to 10 countries and 12 states. He grew up in a military family, the oldest of 6 children. His dad served in the army for 26 years and moved the family all over the Midwest and to Germany. In 2008, the family settled in northeastern Oklahoma next to a Benedictine monastery where Michael helped build the monastery chapel, residence building and his families’ house. Michael claims this area as his home and intends to settle on his property here and study meteorology after his separation from the military in 2017. He has always loved serving the Church through youth ministry and has five years’ experience teaching catechism for the Military Archdiocese. He also loves to travel and has long waited for an opportunity to help on mission trips. Michael has a deep, heartfelt love for his country. He prayerfully hopes and longs for the day when America will turn back to God. He has faith that if the youth of this generation adopt a spirit of prayer and service, God will bless us as a nation and help us take back the Christian values that once made our country truly great.
SENIOR STAFFERS
Hey y’all my name is Stephany Cabrera and I’m from a small town in Texas! I work full time at a restaurant and do photography on the weekends! This will be my second summer with CMT! Being a missionary last summer truly changed my life! The Lord taught me many lessons about myself and the journey he has me on. The biggest thing he showed me is that sometimes he speaks in a whisper, and we must quiet ourselves to know the will he has for us! I don’t believe God has finished speaking to me though mission or his people! So here goes to another summer, living for God and serving his people as he whispers to me to come closer! I ask that you please pray for me, all of CMT and the groups and people we will serve this summer!! God bless!
JUNIOR STAFFERS
Hello, my name is Nicole Banky! I live in Michigan and I’m becoming a certified preschool teacher. I became interested in mission work a few years ago and have been doing my research and letting God lead it. I came across Catholic Missions and was thrilled to find out I could do it for a few months. I want to be a light and a wonderful example of the joy of Jesus Christ. I feel a burning desire in my heart to help. I believe these mission trips will help deepen my faith with the Lord and allow him to use me to reach others who may be struggling. A passage I find very encouraging throughout my walk is 1 Corinthians 1:25 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” A very good passage to show that God is the very person we must trust even in moments we think we know best because that isn’t true. I am putting all my trust in the Lord for these mission trips! Please keep me in your prayers! God Bless!
Jill Scott is from a small town named Upperco in the Maryland country side. She currently studies Anthropology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Jill is involved in multiple organizations such as Alpha Delta Pi, Beta Phi Chapter, Maryland Federation of College Republicans, and Catholic Terps. She has been to Honduras with Students Helping Honduras to help build and construct a school for the families of the town Cruz Roja. As a Catholic, she enjoys taking time out of her day to go to adoration, and taking Lenten hikes with her family to the mountainous area of Maryland. Other hobbies she partakes in include mountain biking, kayaking, visiting historical locations, playing music, and singing with friends. She is excited for this journey she will take and is ecstatic that she has been offered this opportunity to help others.
MUSICIANS/WORSHIP LEADERS
My name is Brandy Holt, and I am from Michigan. I am currently attending Aquinas College, studying Theology, Catholic Studies, and Liturgical Music. This summer will be my first summer with Catholic Mission Trips, but my second summer doing mission work. I absolutely fell in love with mission work last summer, and I am so excited to see what God has in store for the upcoming summer. I love hanging around my friends, as it is just a beautiful witness to the joyful community life God has called us to. Music is a huge part of my life and my faith as well, which makes sense, as I will be a worship leader this summer! The way God can reach us through music is unlike anything else, so I am super excited to be a vessel for God’s work this summer. Above all, I think I’m most excited to see what kind of new relationships are made with the people in the communities we work in. I know God has a life-changing experience waiting for all of us, and I can’t wait to be spending my summer serving others through Christ!
Growing up I wanted to be a circus clown, mainly because I already had red hair and can juggle. Thankfully, God had other plans. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, I have been fortunate to lead worship for people of all ages throughout the country and abroad. In addition to serving as a worship leader, I have also worked in youth ministry and church communications. I’ve been able to serve on multiple mission trips and am always moved by the community of people I meet each trip. I look forward to joining the CMT family and serving in the Dominican Republic!
SITE COORDINATORS / CONTRACTORS
Bangalore, India – Hello! My name is Martine Dollack. I am a wife, a mother of four, a teacher, a farmer and a passionate Catholic. I was born and raised in the Alsace region of France and moved to Canada after my marriage. We are currently living in Salmon Arm, British Columbia where we attend the church of St Joseph. I am passionate about my Catholic faith and have been involved in many ministries within my parish. I am also a proud member of the Catholic Women’s League. No matter the endeavor, I always look forward to grow in faith and service to others. I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the team of CMT this summer as site coordinator. As I embark on this incredible journey, please pray for me, my family and our mission. God bless.
Hello, my name is Joyce Ribeiro. I was born and raised in Brazil but moved to the USA when a teenager. I am a Project Manager within the life sciences industry, and one of the founders of a charitable organization called Amor Beyond Borders. On my spare time, I enjoy taking care of my dog, Celtics, baking or reading a novel. Additionally, I love to involve myself in various charitable initiatives around my community and I strive to create opportunities and resources for people in need. Giving back has been a part of my life since I was very young. I feel my best when I am working towards helping others. My faith in Jesus Christ is the driving force behind my desire to give back. I am devoted to Mary of Grace and believe she has always watched over me and intervened with her son, Jesus, on my behalf in times of need.
New Orleans and Baton Rouge – Hello! My name is Mykelle Laws, wife of a great guy and mother of 4 active young adults. I graduated from Virginia Tech in 1990 with a BS in Biochemistry and SWOSU in 1996 with an assoc. in Physical Therapy. Our family has moved around the United States with the Navy and United Airlines and have since settled in Culpeper, VA. I have been active in my community (Travel Soccer) and my church (confirmation catechist, altar society, and office help) while homeschooling my children and now participate with several non-profit organizations like our diocesan WorkCamp annual mission trip, Rotary Youth Exchange and Souls in Harmony. I am excited to join the Catholic Mission Trips team in facilitating “experiences of a lifetime” through mission!
ADMINISTRATION
My name is Michelle Perez and I am grateful for the ability to walk with the mission groups and our team on their spiritual journey. Every year we see the Holy Spirit working so powerfully in the hearts of the young people who serve and God pouring His graces into the missionaries who devote their summers to leading mission trips. God has blessed me and my husband with 3 beautiful children on earth! We are a mission family and strive to bring God’s love to everyone we meet. I am excited to help CMT grow while remaining faithful to our mission of helping faithful Catholics fulfill their call to serve the poor. Please join us in prayer, service, and support!
My name is Hannah Truong, and I am currently studying Biochemistry at the University of Tulsa, in Oklahoma. However, I have recently switched career paths after a year of discernment, and I will now be working towards a M.A. in Theology instead of going to medical school upon graduating May 2021 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. About two years ago, I served as a Totus Tuus missionary for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, and I loved being an instrument of Christ for the kids and high schoolers I encountered. After serving, it didn’t occur to me that working with younger kids and high schoolers could be part of my career until 6 months later when I caught myself constantly searching for various opportunities to serve. Since then, I had constantly brought it to prayer for the next year. It wasn’t until I was asked to be choir director and to coordinate a couple of retreats that I felt called to work for the Church. So, I dropped out of the Pre-Med track at my university about a month ago and was given the opportunity to work with the CMT team as I embark on this journey.