Young Adult Mission Trip

New York City is one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world—and a powerful place to encounter the Gospel in action. Our mission trip to NYC is designed as a journey of faith, learning, and service, grounded in Catholic social teaching and guided by the example of Christ’s compassion for the marginalized.

In partnership with the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, we will explore how Catholic communities are responding to some of today’s most pressing urban challenges: immigration, housing insecurity, and poverty.

Throughout the week, participants will engage with a wide range of faith-based organizations—including Catholic Charities, the Catholic Worker Movement, and others—who are working daily to build communities of justice, peace, and hope in the heart of the city.

You’ll hear directly from local faith leaders, serve alongside Catholic Worker Houses, and witness how grassroots efforts are transforming neighborhoods through the lens of the Gospel.

This trip offers young adults a unique opportunity to encounter Christ through the stories, struggles, and resilience of New Yorkers—particularly immigrants and those experiencing poverty—and to be inspired to carry that spirit of mission back home, wherever they serve.

• During this weeklong mission immersion, young adults will encounter the Gospel lived out through diverse expressions of faith, justice, and community in New York City. The experience includes:

• Upon arrival, participants will be welcomed at the Maryknoll Center with a communal meal and an overview of the mission experience. This evening offers time for introductions, setting intentions, and preparing spiritually for the days ahead.

• Pilgrims will celebrate Mass at St. Michael–St. Malachy Church, a vibrant community in Brooklyn, followed by a conversation with local young adults from the Maryknoll Young Adult Empowerment Cohort. Together, they will discuss issues like immigration, housing insecurity, and what it means to be a person of faith in an urban context.

• Participants will visit the Maryknoll headquarters to explore the legacy and charism of Maryknoll’s global mission. Activities include tours with Maryknoll Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, and Lay Missioners, Mass in the main chapel, and a hands-on service opportunity in the Mama Pacha Garden, where faith and environmental justice intersect.

• In the Bronx, participants will meet with housing advocate Katherine Clarke to discuss local challenges and grassroots responses to housing injustice. They’ll also explore the cultural roots of resilience through a visit to the Hip-Hop Museum / Temple of Hip-Hop, learning how music and art have become vehicles for community organizing and resistance.

• At the heart of global finance, pilgrims will take part in an Economic Justice Walking Tour of Wall Street led by the Kairos Center at Union Theological Seminary. This experience invites critical reflection on the connections between economics, faith, and justice in a city marked by both extreme wealth and poverty.

• Young adults will engage in Jewish-Christian dialogue with Minister Onleilove, a faith leader working at the intersection of spirituality and justice. They’ll also visit the historic Catholic Worker Houses in Manhattan to learn how hospitality, simplicity, and service can transform lives and neighborhoods.

• The mission concludes with a contemplative retreat and closing ceremony led by Fr. Kim. This time of prayer and reflection prepares participants to return home as missionary disciples—ready to serve, witness, and lead in their own communities. The evening concludes with a celebratory dinner and time to enjoy the city together.

• After a final breakfast and morning prayer, participants will be transported to the airport—carrying the stories, relationships, and insights from a transformative week in New York City.

Mission is not meant to be done alone—and that includes the journey of getting there. Fundraising isn’t just about covering costs; it’s a meaningful way to invite your community, parish, family, and friends to be part of your mission experience. When you fundraise, you offer others the opportunity to support something greater than themselves: forming missionary disciples, serving the marginalized, and living the Gospel in action.

Whether you’re joining us for this mission trip to New York City or supporting someone who is, fundraising becomes an act of shared mission. It's a chance to build awareness, create community, and give others the gift of participation—even from afar.

We recognize that financial barriers can be a concern, and we’re committed to walking with you. A variety of fundraising tools and resources are available to help make this trip more accessible.

For ideas, guidance, and templates to get started, please contact:
Neil Albaña – [email protected]