Blessings in Christ!

My name is Kristine Joy Sellona and I am a science teacher at Mater Dei Catholic High School. One of the reasons I love teaching is that I have the opportunity to shed light on the harmony of science and religion. In the book Faith, Science, & Reason by Christopher T. Baglow, Rabbi Johnathan Sacks made a connection that helped bring more meaning to my vocation as a teacher: “Science takes things apart to see how they work. Religion puts things together to see what they mean.”

I am grateful that my journey as a Mission Leader for the summer of 2023 has already begun. When I was in high school, I had a desire to do missionary work and this desire was a little flame within my soul. I went through both my undergraduate and master’s programs evangelizing primarily to the people in my communities. Then, after six years of school, I returned home to San Diego. Now that I am home, the desire to do missionary work planted within me from so long ago is no longer dormant – my heart no longer feels a tiny flickering flame, but a burning, passionate, and consuming fire. I am ready to erupt with the love of God and I cannot wait to go out and share all that Christ has done in me!

Favorite Saint: Saint Gemma Galgani
Favorite Scripture Verse: John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Favorite Saint Quote: “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever lacks God, lacks nothing. God alone suffices.” –Saint Teresa of Avila

Join My Support Team!

I am serving with a team of young adult mission leaders to run week-long international and domestic mission trips. This summer, our teams will be serving in Eastern, KY, Fort Myers, FL, New Orleans, LA, Lake Charles, LA, South Texas, Puerto Rico, Belize, and the Dominican Republic. My summer begins in May with two weeks of missionary training, followed by 9 weeks of intense service, and a debrief retreat at the end. We serve in areas that have been affected by natural disasters and in areas of chronic poverty. Our projects mainly consist of home, school, and church repair and renovation. We have the honor of working alongside several religious communities, including the Missionaries of Charity, the Pallottine Sisters, and the Comunidad Misionera de Villaregia.
Beyond the great physical work of rebuilding, our mission teams will run retreats for our mission group, opening up the door for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those who serve with us. We start each day with Mass, give formational reflections in the evening, facilitate small group discussions, and bring the groups to adore Jesus Blessed Sacrament and to receive His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Wow! It is such an impactful week for the community we serve, the groups who come to serve with us, for us as mission leaders, and you as mission partners.
Our expected work project expenses for 2023 total approximately $100,000. My personal goal is to raise between $5,000-$10,000 to ensure that we have the funds necessary for building supplies, given the astronomical rise in building supply costs. I am excited to share with you my journey with God as a missionary and invite you to become one of my mission partners. Everything that we have is from God and everything that we give is from God. Where is God asking you to invest?  Please consider joining me on mission by making a one-time or recurring donation to support the work of Catholic Mission Trips, Inc. Your prayers and financial support will bring hope and restore dignity to the families we serve. We would be honored to have you partner with us at $50-$200 a month. I look forward to connecting with you and experiencing mission together! Thank you for joining my support team!

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    Catholic Mission Trips, Inc.

    43508 Postrail Sq.

    Ashburn, VA 20147