“Let us set out again with burning hearts, with our eyes open and our feet in motion…”

Catholic Mission invites you to take up this call of Pope Francis by offering an immersion for adults who are interested in learning more about our projects in Cambodia, and who seek to understand the world through this lens.

Catholic Missions Immersion program aims to engage the entire person, their empathy, humanity, faith and responsibility. Immersion is first and foremost an opportunity to ‘be with’ others. Through an experience of immersion, we are able to more readily recognise those we meet as brothers and sisters as we share daily joys and sorrows and celebrate the richness and gifts that each of us bring. This immersive, experiential approach means that participants will explore far beyond the tourist trail. Participants return from their immersion experience with newfound friends, a broader vision of God’s family and a revitalised understanding of Jesus’ mission and their responsibility to continue that. They return changed and challenged.

We will witness firsthand the projects and people Catholic Mission supports in Battambang and the life changing work of the Salesian Sisters in Phnom Penh.

The adult immersion is open to anyone who is 18 years and over on the day of departure. Interested participants must return the “Expression of Interest” form to [email protected].

There are two options in 2024 both, to Cambodia.

1. April 01-11 (applications close 20 October 2023)

2. November 11-20 (applications close 14 May 2024)

The cost is $4,600 per person and includes:

• Flights & Visas
• Accommodation and meals (not alcohol)
• Local transport
• A Catholic Mission facilitator
• A local Catholic Mission staff member.
• Donations to local communities and support hosts.

Basically, all cost except personal spending.

Group size will be 10 to 18 people and the participants will be chosen from the applications.

A Catholic Mission Immersion gives a small group of students or adults unparalleled opportunities to move beyond being merely tourists through the long-standing partnerships that Catholic Mission has built with Indigenous communities within Australia and communities around the world.

The purpose of an immersion is to allow participants to experience life, faith and justice from a new perspective and to inspire them to live a personal sense of their own Catholic “mission” when they return home.

A Unique Invitation

Within Australia…

Catholic Mission’s unique position and history of partnerships over many years means that communities, parishes, and schools throughout Central and Northern Australia are open to sharing their lives in ways that very few tourists or visitors ever experience.

Guided by local Elders and guides, days on‑country are spent exploring the natural beauty of the land, visiting sacred sights, and discovering the spiritual connection that the First Nations people have held for more than 40,000 years.

Each group has its own unique experiences and opportunities to connect with and learn about the local Indigenous culture from the people met along the way. Participants immerse themselves in the Aboriginal stories of these places and return with a deeper appreciation, which provides the base for future commitments to promoting reconciliation and change.

And Beyond…

Immersions are offered in partnership with Catholic Mission’s partners in:

- Cambodia

- Timor Leste

- The Philippines

- Thailand

Inclusions:

• Flights, accommodation, meals, and local transport.
• Insurance and Risk Management services.
• Local Guides, Elders and an accompanying Catholic Mission trained Facilitator for the duration of the immersion.
• All permits and entry fees.
• Donations and fair remuneration for Indigenous partners.

This is a 3-Phase Program

PHASE 1: A 6-hour preparation workshop held 4-6 weeks prior to departure, held at a time and place that is convenient for the group. The workshop is facilitated by Catholic Mission and prepares participants for what to expect, logistics, and how to sensitively and respectfully approach the experience to receive the most while on immersion.

PHASE 2: The on country immersion.

PHASE 3: A 3-hour review workshop facilitated by Catholic Mission in which participants debrief, discuss what they have learnt and review their experience. Participants reflect on what they are personally called to do with this new-found knowledge in living out their mission of cultivating a more just and compassionate society. They are particularly challenged to consider how they can promote reconciliation with their Indigenous sisters and brothers.

Vision of mission and immersion

Immersion is a powerful strategy in helping us understand and involve ourselves in Jesus’ mission. Through the immersion experience we come face to face with local people and recognise them as our brothers and sisters. We empathise with them and share their daily joys and sorrows, celebrating their richness and gifts, and feeling for their pain. We learn as much from them, possibly more, as they learn from us.

Guided throughout the experience by critical and prayerful questioning, we recognise that we are involved in and partly responsible for their reality in this global society

Security, safety and risk

The security and safety of all participants in immersions are the foremost priority in designing the immersion program. A suite of preparatory and precautionary measures are taken to ensure that risk is minimised as much as possible. Immersions will only proceed where risks can be managed to a satisfactory level.