Even though we’re staying close to home, there’s still plenty to pack to make sure you're comfortable, prepared, and ready to serve. This packing list covers the basics—what to wear, what to bring, and a few extras that can make the experience even better.

Opening Day – Sunday, June 29
Youth will be picked up at the final Mass at their home parish by a mission trip volunteer.
12:00pm – Opening reception and lunch
1:30pm – Faith In Action Kick Off
2:30pm – Team-building with worksite groups
6:00pm – Dinner
7:00pm – Evening program
8:45-10:15pm – Free time
10:30pm – Lights Out

Work Days – Monday through Thursday
6:30am – Wake Up Call
7:30am – Morning Prayer
8:00am – Breakfast
8:30am-3:30pm – Worksite (work, lunch, prayer)
3:30-5:30pm – Recreation, free time, and showers
6:00pm – Dinner & debrief
7:00-8:45pm – Evening program
8:45-10:15pm – Free time
10:30pm – Lights Out

Closing Mass & Meal – Thursday, July 3
Families are invited to join us for our closing Community Mass & Meal at 6:00 PM. More details below!

Drop-Off: On Sunday, June 29, please attend the latest Mass at your home parish with your family. After Mass, a Faith In Action volunteer will pick up your child curbside. Make sure your child’s bags are packed and ready for a quick departure. Your parish may also offer a special blessing or prayer —it’s part of the send-off!

Mass times are as follows:
Holy Family  10:30 AM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help 11:00 AM
St. John / St. Mary (Navilleton) 10:30 AM (@ St. Mary)
St. Mary (New Albany) 12:00 PM
St. Mary of the Knobs 10:30 AM
St. Michael / St. Bernard 11:00 AM (@ St. Michael, Bradford)
St. Michael / St. Francis Xavier 11:00 AM (@ St. Michael, Charlestown)

Pickup: Following the closing celebration on Thursday, July 3, youth will leave with their parents. Bags will be packed and ready to grab so you can be on your way by 8:30 at the latest.

Catalyst Catholic is teaming up with local organizations to serve residents right here in our own community—Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana and Metro Louisville. By staying local, we emphasize the idea that we are called to serve our neighbors in our neighborhood.

Youth will be placed at trusted community organizations that provide vital, ongoing support to people in need. It’s a great opportunity for teens to build relationships with groups doing meaningful work all year long.

This year’s service partners include:

• Repair Affair

• Common Earth Gardens

• Catholic Cemeteries

• Harrison County Community Services

• Mustard Seed Thrift on a Mission

• The Society of St. Vincent dePaul

Each day, small groups of five youth and two adult leaders will serve together at a worksite. Groups are thoughtfully formed based on the age and interests of the youth, while also giving them a chance to build friendships with teens from other parishes across the New Albany Deanery.

Adult leaders serve side by side with the youth—not only helping with the day’s work, but also leading prayer, guiding reflection, and building small-group community.

For the safety of all participants:

• All adults 18 and older must complete Safe Parish training and pass a background check

• Only adults 25 or older may drive on behalf of Faith In Action

They come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing both energy and wisdom to the experience. Dozens of parish youth ministers, college students and young adults, and veteran ministry volunteers will be around all week to guide the youth through every activity.

Our home base for the week is the Mount St. Francis Center for Spiritualitylocated at 101 St. Anthony Dr., Mt. St. Francis, IN.

Affectionately known as “The Mount,” this beautiful and peaceful setting is where participants will eat breakfast and dinner, take part in evening programming, and stay overnight.

Youth and adults will be housed in air-conditioned, bunk-style dormitories with communal bathrooms located in the hallway. Each shower and toilet is in a private stall to ensure comfort and privacy.

To meet all safety guidelines:

• Youth and adults will use separate shower areas, in accordance with the Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

• Daily showers are required, and shower time is scheduled each afternoon during free time

Meals at Faith In Action are planned to be nutritious, balanced, and filling—fueling our youth and adults for full days of service and community.

• Breakfast includes hot food items like egg casseroles, sausage, or pancakes; cold items like cereal, bagels, and yogurt; and beverages like milk and juice – all prepared by generous community volunteers.

• Daily lunch at worksites includes a peanut butter or a cold cut sandwich, prepackaged snacks, and a drink.

• Dinner meals will be prepared and served by the chef and staff of Mt. St. Francis and/or generous community volunteers.

We can accommodate common food allergies and dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten allergy, nut allergy). Make sure you identify your allergies and dietary needs in all registration paperwork and contact Michelle with information about the specific needs.

Even though Mt. St. Francis is close to home, Faith In Action is designed to feel like a retreat or summer camp—a time to step away from daily distractions and fully engage in meaningful service, prayer, and community. To create a positive, immersive environment, we ask for your cooperation with the following guidelines:

• Commitment: Youth are expected to participate for the entire week. Late arrivals or early departures are not permitted, as each day builds on the last.

• Transportation: Youth may not drive themselves during the week. Youth will be picked up from their parish on Sunday and brought home by their parents on Thursday. All transportation will be provided by approved adult volunteers.

• Phone Use: Phones should be used only during designated free time. We ask all participants to minimize distractions and stay present to the experience.

• Communication: Parents are encouraged to limit phone calls and texting throughout the week to help their child stay immersed in the mission.

• Visits: To preserve the integrity of the experience, no visitors (including family and friends) are allowed during the week.

Don’t worry—parents will be provided with emergency contact info and regular updates throughout the week!

Thank you for supporting our efforts to create a meaningful, Christ-centered environment where your teen can truly focus on faith, service, and community.

If you need to reach your child during Faith In Action in case of an emergency, please contact our Faith In Action leader:

Michelle Fessel
📞 812-968-4436

If Michelle is unavailable, please contact Catalyst staff member:

Kelli Reutman
📞 812-639-4217

For non-emergency questions or updates, please understand that phone access for youth and adults is limited during the week. We encourage parents to wait for scheduled communications to stay informed. Our leadership team will provide regular updates and will promptly notify you if any urgent issues arise.

Thank you for your patience and support in helping us maintain a focused and safe environment for all participants.

We deeply appreciate your prayers! You can join our around-the-clock prayer chain by signing up and sharing the Prayer Team Sign-Up link with family, friends, and your parish community.

Feel free to forward the link by text, email, or social media—our goal is to surround our participants with prayer throughout the week, one hour at a time.

Whether you’re a seasoned mission trip participant or joining us for the first time, your unique gifts and heart for service can make a powerful impact. Volunteering with Faith In Action is not only about changing lives—it’s also about how this experience will transform your own heart.

We’re building a team of dedicated adults to serve alongside our high school youth during this hometown mission trip—and we’d love for you to be part of it!

Learn more or sign up here.

Join us for a special evening on Thursday, July 3, from 6–8 PM at Mt. St. Francis to celebrate the week’s journey!

• 6:00 PM: Community Mass begins in the chapel

• Families are invited to bring a side dish to share, which can be dropped off at the chapel entrance between 5:30–5:45 PM

• After Mass, we’ll enjoy a shared meal and time of celebration, with the focus on hearing firsthand from the youth about their Faith In Action experiences

• The meal will include pulled pork, green beans, watermelon, and lemonade—with your delicious side dishes completing the spread!

A family headcount will be requested by email/text on Tuesday, July 1 to help us plan.

Note: We have several youth with gluten and nut allergies. Please do not include nuts in any dishes. If you bring a gluten-free item, kindly label it clearly.