MISSION TEAM LEADERS
Hi! My name is Emily Durr, and I am currently a freshman at Siena Heights University located in Adrian, Michigan. I am a Nursing student as well as a member of the women’s lacrosse team. My life took off last year, when I attended my first youth group. I have been Catholic my whole life, but it wasn’t until my senior year that I challenged myself to understand and believe every aspect of Catholicism. I have pushed myself ever since then, and am now on fire for Christ. Last summer, God called me to be a camp counselor for children with all different backgrounds and medical conditions. Every week, I helped kids overcome fears and step out of their comfort zone. It truly was a summer full of love. Now, God is calling me to something even greater this summer. I am being called to chase after Christ in every aspect of my life, as well as inspire others to do the same. I cannot wait to experience the Lord’s grace all summer with the people that I meet.
Favorite Saint Quote: “Live simply so that others may simply live.”-Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Favorite Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”-Proverbs 3:5
My name is Christopher and I am honored to serve with you all this summer! I graduated from Florida State University in 2017 and served as a full-time missionary in rural Honduras at a children’s home post-graduation called Finca del Nino, Farm of the Child. I most recently was a candidate for the Society of Jesus, Canada Province but am now living and serving God’s people in Florida. While in University I encountered a living Christ during an international mission and have been on fire to serve Our Lord since! Whether it is spending time in prayer and studying the word or living out the faith with acts of service I am always looking to find God in the greatest gift, the present. You all are in my thoughts and prayers as we prepare to serve together this summer, may God bless us and use us as instruments of love and peace to those we serve! AMDG
Favorite Saint: Mother Teresa
Favorite Quote: “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” -Mother Teresa
MUSICIANS/WORSHIP LEADERS
Favorite Saint:St. Anthony of Padua
Favorite Scripture Verse: Philippians 4:6-7
Favorite Saint quote: “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.”
Fast Facts with Fran!
My Favorite bible verse is constantly changing! Right now it’s John 15. Pruning is a good thing, friends 🙂
I’m only 5 feet tall, still hoping to hit a late growth spurt.
I work at a Catholic radio station in Tampa, Florida!
Movies with dogs make me cry. This also includes commercials for movies about dogs.
I live off The Office, Friends, and Schitt’s Creek.
Do I go to Disney way more than the socially acceptable amount? Oh definitely… but that’s okay.
Favorite Scripture: John 15. Pruning is a good thing, friends 🙂
Favorite Quote: “Man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.” – Gaudium et Spes
Favorite Saint: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Favorite Quote: “Verso L’alto”
Hi there! My name is Sophie Salopek. I’m currently a student at Louisiana State University, and I’m studying civil engineering! I have also always had a deep love for music, and have found myself pursuing the Lord through singing and leading praise and worship! One of my favorite saints is St. Faustina Kowalska. I’ve been in the process of reading her diary over the past few years, and one of my favorite excerpts from it says this, “All our daily little nothings will be placed at the feet of the Lord Jesus as a propitiatory offering for the world…” There is more to it, but that first line always strikes me, and reminds me of the importance of our daily little nothings 🙂
Favorite Saint: St. Faustina
Favorite Quote: “All our daily little nothings will be placed at the feet of the Lord Jesus as a
propitiatory offering for the world…”-St. Faustina
propitiatory offering for the world…”-St. Faustina
Hey guys! My name is Andrew Ferguson, and I will be leading worship for our trip to Ohio! I am currently a senior at LSU in mechanical engineering. Bonus fact: this will be my first ever mission trip, and I’m excited to see how the LORD wants to work through me for you guys and the community! My favorite Saint is St. Joseph (original, I know). He is my confirmation Saint, and I look to him as a model of manliness and humility. My current favorite scripture is Exodus 25:8, in which the LORD says “Let them make for Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” We can talk about why it’s mt fav when we get there :] See y’all there!
Favorite Saint: St. Joseph
Favorite Scripture: “Let them make for Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” -Exodus 25:8
SITE COORDINATORS / CONTRACTORS
After watching the documentary Harlan, USA from their home in Minnesota in the early 80’s with their 2 small children, the Grieshop’s responded to a missionary call to serve the poor in Harlan. Joe served as the director of Christian Outreach with Appalachian People, building over 300 homes for the poor in Harlan county. Joe also served as the county judge executive for 4 terms improving the environment, access to clean water, and shelter for the poor across Harlan county. We feel so blessed to have such an amazing contractor and missionary family on our team as true examples of living a life of service and joy as they continue to build relationships with the poor in their days of retirement and do what they can to be of service to those in need.
Hey, y’all Ryan, and Stephany here! We are happily married and living in Texas! Ryan works as an inspector/investigator for our local fire department, and I am a Photographer. We are so excited about the journey that the lord is constantly taking us on. We are coordinators for our junior high youth nights, and constantly seeking to grow deeper in the will that God has for our life. The lord has called us time and time again to serve him and his people. Ryan started serving with CMT in 2012 as a youth on a mission trip and I started in 2018 as a Missionary and served for two summers. We felt the calling to serve as a couple in 2019 and 2020 in South Texas for spring break and then felt the calling to coordinate. The lord has constantly called us deeper in his love through the people we encounter there. We can’t wait to see you there!
Favorite Saint:
Ryan: St. Joesph and St. Florian
Stephany: St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Joan of Arc
Favorite Scripture/Quote:
Ryan: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You, are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
Stephany: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” ― St. Catherine of Siena
Ryan: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You, are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
Stephany: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” ― St. Catherine of Siena
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 4 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!
Hello there! I’m Megan and my last name rhymes with turquoise:) My favorite thing about living in Florida is beholding all the glorious sunrises & sunsets. When I was 17, I went on my first domestic mission trip with CMT where I experienced the thrill of mission. Throughout my life I’ve had a deep devotion for at-risk youth, pro-life, homeless, and prison ministry. I have gone on several foreign mission trips to Honduras, Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico. I feel so blessed to serve as the Director of Missions for CMT, to provide the opportunity for young people to give generously of themselves and witness hearts become stirred with desire to live a life for others. In his exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis said that “There is no greater joy than coming home at the end of the day with a heart filled with names, faces, and stories.” I attest to this joy as the Father shows me something more glorious than a sunrise is within each person as each reveals a unique facet of Christ. I pray that all who join us on mission experience the deep personal love of Christ descend upon them and radiate out to those we serve.