Parents
How to support
your son or daughter
in the mission
If your son or daughter is considering a year with the SJS Volunteer Missionary Program, you likely have questions about what the year looks like in practice and how they will be supported. This page is here to help you understand the rhythms of the year, who to contact, and what to expect.
Important Dates
Important Dates (2026-2027 missionary year)
These dates help families plan ahead. Details may be updated as the year approaches.
Corvallis, OR (OSU)
Move-in: August 21st or 22nd
Training: August 24th - September 11th
Christmas Break: December 14th - January 2nd.
Spring Break: March 20th - March 27th
End-of-Year Move-out:
Portland, OR
Move-in: August 21th
Training: August 24th - September 11th
Christmas Break:
End-of-Year Move-out:
Washington, D.C. (AU)
Move-In: August 6-7
Training: August 8-17
Christmas Break: December 21th - January 9th
Summer Mission: May 16-30
VM Move Out: Week of May 31th
Corvallis, OR (OSU)
Movin/Training: TBD ~August 26
Classes Begin: Sepembert 14th
Christmas Break: December 18th - January 11th
Classes end: May 7th
Summer Mission: May 11th - 15th
Supervisors & Program Contacts
If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out. In many cases, the best first contact is your missionary’s local mission leadership.
Corvallis, OR (OSU)
Veronica Nicasio
VM Program Coordinator
Portland, OR
Sr. Teresa Harrell
Mercy Mission Program Director
Washington, D.C.
Allie Vega
Campus Minister
Stirling, Scotland
Fr. Federico Dundas
Mission Director
If you’re unsure who to contact, email vmprogram@socsj.org and we’ll connect you with the right person.
Impact on the Church
A few simple things parents often wonder:
- Missionaries live in intentional community with other young adults at their location.
- The year follows a rhythm of formation, mission, and rest.
- Missionaries are accompanied by priests and consecrated sisters of the Saint John Society and the Society of Mary through mentorship, shared mission, and guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time commitment my child is making?
Missionaries commit to one mission year, beginning with ten days of summer training, followed by the mission year at their assigned location.
What happens during summer training?
Summer training is a unified start to the year where missionaries receive shared formation in prayer, mission, and community life, and build relationships with the cohort.
Who supports my child during the year?
Missionaries are supported locally through mission leadership anda accompainment from priests and cosecrated sisters, as well as through their community with other missionaries.
How can I contact my child during the year?
Missionaries maintain reasonable communication with family. If an urgent situation arises, you can always email vmprogram@socsj.org, and we will help you reach the right contact.
What about safety and well-being?
Missionaries are not “left on their own.” They live with other missionaries, follow shared expectations for community life, and are supported by local mission leadership.
What about medical care or health needs?
Missionaries are responsible for appropriate medical coverage and should plan ahead for prescriptions and ongoing needs. If there are concerns, families are encouraged to communicate early with program leadership.
Is this program only for those discerning the priesthood or religious life?
No. While some alumni have pursued the priesthood or religious life, the program is designed to form lay disciples for lifelong mission in whatever vocation God calls them to.
What will my child gain from this year?
Parents often notice growth in maturity, responsibility, faith, leadership, and the ability to live the Catholic life with stability and freedom.
How does fundraising work?
Missionaries are guided through practical steps and supported in the process. If you’d like to understand this clearly, reach out and we’ll walk you through it.
Who do I contact if I have concerns?
Start with your missionary’s location contact above. If you’re unsure, email vmprogram@socsj.org.
A Parent’s Thoughts
When we recall our daughter telling us she wanted to take the year off of college to be a Volunteer Missionary, it brings back many emotions. Like many, we liked the way things felt and got used to her being close to home. But we felt proud of her—trusting God will take care of everything, especially her rather large student debt. That said, we were against it at first. This important time and opportunity in her life to step out into “real world” adulthood meant she would raise that much money. We couldn’t believe how this could be beneficial. She said, “God will provide,” and we might have rolled our eyes. She was having a hard time adjusting out of college, trying to hold on to that “Holy Spirit high,” so we cleverly named it.
We would be truly and eternally grateful for the amazing campus ministry, but this year of service seemed too much to ask.
Although I am less than proud of our behavior and emotions back at her announcement, the good news is that we came around. We were deaf but now hear, blind but now see, lame and now walk. Not only has our daughter been eternally blessed by her Volunteer Missionary experience, but truly her whole family has been blessed. Her friends and all those who supported her drew closer to Christ. She was right—God does provide.
A Final Word
Thank you for supporting your son or daughter as they discern.
This year is not simply about what they will do, but about who they will become — formed in faith, maturity, and love for the Church.