Mission trips abound for college students, grads

Published: 2006-08-18

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- While on a spring semester trip in southern Chile, Shanta Ready found her life's work -- social work. While a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, she participated in the Maryknoll Rural Life Seminar for three weeks. It was offered by Maryknoll Lay Missioners, made up of single men and women, couples and families working in 17 countries. She spent a week learning intensive language skills. During the afternoons and evenings, she learned about the history of the church in Chile and shared her culture with her host family. "I was interested in rural life in Chile," said Ready, 22. In a telephone interview with Catholic News Service, the South Bend, Ind., resident said she enjoyed spending time with her host family and discussing the differences between American and Chilean culture. She became interested in mental health issues while working with a nonprofit organization and the Santiago Catholic Church. After graduation, she went to Coachella Valley, Calif., as a Holy Cross associate with the Holy Cross Fathers. She and three other associates did community organizing and pastoral and social work.

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