Catholic Terps Alumni Mission Trip to Mexico City

January 11-15, 2024 – Registration Open

dates are confirmed.  We will be hosted by Craig Johring, founder of Hope of the Poor. Craig has served the poor and worked with mission groups in Mexico City for over ten years. You can read more about Craig and his amazing mission work here.

The goal of our trip is to encounter Christ in the poorest of the poor: in street kids and the elderly, infirm women and families living in the trash dumps of Mexico City. We will visit Our Lady of Guadalupe at the National Basilica, the most visited pilgrimage site in the entire world, each day we are on mission. Our lodging and meals will be provided through a retreat house run by religious sisters. Each day will include Mass, meals, encounters with the poor and small group reflection.

(Alumna Kate Krantz ’22 with one of our young friends from La Raza; Our Lady of Guadalupe in the tilma at the Basilica in Mexico City)

(it is our intention to be in service as much as possible, but will have time to see various sites in Mexico City)
Day 1: Arrival mid-morning; meal at convent; National Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Day 2: Service at the Trash Dumps/or street ministry with homeless of Mexico City
Day 3: Service at the Trash Dumps/or street ministry with homeless of Mexico City
Day 4: Service at the Trash Dumps/or street ministry with homeless of Mexico City
Day 5: Departure

Trip Cost
$550*  2024  est. costs: does not include airfare 

Price includes the following: Lodging, meals, and in-country transportation.
Price does not include: Airfare, immunizations and travel medications, passport/visa expenses, or other personal incidentals.
*Price is based upon number of attendees – fewer attendees may result in higher costs

Airfare note: We did not add airfare as many alumni may not travel from the DC Metro area. This allows all participants to find best rates from the city they would depart from without having to come through DC. We will have a set time line we would need participants to arrive in Mexico City, and we will suggest airline options for departure from DC if you wish to try to travel as a group. Please do not arrange your flights until we have confirmed your reservation.

Application
This trip is for alumni and friends – We will cap the list at 25 people, and we will take reservations as a first come first served. A wait list will be formed upon filled reservations, as it is likely some may have to cancel and wait list participants can attend.

To apply, please fill out the form below by November 1. For those accepted on the trip, more information will be collected later (i.e. emergency contact, health insurance, waivers, passport number etc.)

To complete your application, a $75 semi-refundable deposit is required.  You may pay via PayPal.me/catholicterp and Venmo @Catholic-Terps with the note: Alumni Mexico Mission Trip or by check made out to the Catholic Student Center. If by check include your name and Mexico Mission Trip in the memo line. Deposits will reserve your spot on the trip and be applied to final amount due.

Cancellations after December 1 may be subject to loss of deposit.

Mail checks to Catholic Student Center
Attn: Ann Gradowski
4141 Guilford Drive
College Park MD 20740