Meet Our Volunteers

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

University: Benedictine College

Major: Management

Where do you serve now: Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize

How did you find out about SOLT: Benedictine College

How did God call you? Through prayer and experience as a volunteer in Belize during my spring break mission trips with Benedictine College.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Growing closer to God in prayer and community life. I also look forward to hearing God speak into my vocational discernment.

Name: Haley Sloan

Hometown: Shawnee, KS

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Oklahoma State University - Accounting

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I went on a FOCUS Mission Trip to Belize City the summer before my senior year of college. Sister Stella, who was at the mission at the time, told me and my friend Emily about the Volunteer Program in Benque.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I came back from my mission trip with plans to get a corporate job after graduation, but the thought of returning to Belize stayed on my heart. I ended up calling my friend Emily, and she said I should just get some information. Instead of receiving information, I was sent a link to apply. It all just happened in such a simple way that I knew it had to be God's call.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I am so excited to return to community life! I love living with other missionaries and SOLT religious, and getting to grow in my faith with them. I also can't wait to see my students, I miss them so much!!

Name: Daniel Gamez

Hometown: Union, Missouri

Where did you attend college and what is your major? University of North Texas, Business

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Belcourt, North Dakota

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Catholic Volunteer Network

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? God invited me to see His face in the faces of the children of Turtle Mountain Reservation!

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I am excited to get to know my fellow missionaries and the kids! I’m excited for the growth we will all go through as we get closer to Jesus!

Name: Javier Ebertowski

Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Philosophy

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? From being in SOLT

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? Through Desire

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Growing in relationship with God and his people.

Name: Maria Schmitz

Hometown: Neenah, WI

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Franciscan University of Steubenville- Biology and Theology, minor in Chemistry. Concordia University of Wisconsin, Masters in Education

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Franciscan Alumni in Evangelization Facebook Group

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? The seeds of the call to be a missionary were planted as a child. Mother Teresa and her love for those in need captivated my heart. Years later as a high school teacher I had the opportunity to go with students on a mission trip to Lurin, Peru. That experience awakened in my heart the desire to live in full time mission so I began exploring missions!

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I look forward to growing in relationship with Christ and those I will encounter.

Name: Laura White

Hometown: Cambria, CA

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Hillsdale College, B.A. in Classics

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I found out about SOLT through a friend at school. I expressed to him my desire to live abroad for a year and serve in some capacity (ideally by teaching) and he encouraged me to apply with SOLT.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? For many years I wanted to move to another country to teach, and the opportunity to serve with SOLT was, simply put, a huge gift from God. I graduated from Hillsdale with a degree in Classics and before I had even heard of SOLT. I was hoping to teach Latin, live abroad, and serve as a missionary for a year or two upon graduation. When I heard about SOLT, I was amazed that God presented me with an opportunity that combined all of those things and feel extremely blessed by His gift.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I look forward to becoming immersed in a different culture, growing and learning as a teacher, and living in community with other missionaries and the people of Benque.

Name: Alia Cerda

Hometown: Lubbock, Texas

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Angelo State University; Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Summer mission trip to Belize with SOLT in 2019

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I was expecting to go back to school to become a physical therapist after finishing undergrad. After my summer mission trip to Belize I felt the Lord asking me to love him through mission and surrender my plans. His invitation was gentle and brought so much peace. Although the decision was uncomfortable, I chose to apply and The Beloved handled the rest.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I look forward to the community life. To be able to have other Catholic young adults that want to grow closer to the heart of Jesus through service and surrendering. I look forward to my heart being stretched through teaching students. I can’t wait to see how Jesus loves through all the teachers.

Name: Kjia Meduna

Hometown: Wahoo, NE

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Benedictine College, Majors in Accounting and Finance, Minor in Theology

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I have been good friends with Fr. Mark Wendling for a while and new about the different SOLT Missionary Programs from him.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? During my senior year of college I would encourage my friends to apply to be a SOLT Missionary but never considered it for myself. It wasn't until I was on a 12 day mission trip with SOLT in Benque Viejo, Belize that I discovered this burning for foreign mission. God opened many doors during my time there, that it was as simple as walking through to make it possible for me to go back to serve full time.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I am excited to just be. To be in the presence of the Lord in the adoration chapel, be in an encouraging community with my peers, and be a service to the community and my students.

Name: Hannah Weinewuth

Hometown: Naperville, IL

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Benedictine College, Art with a specialization in Art Therapy

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Belcourt, North Dakota

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Through an internet search

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? Restless heart looking for goodness

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? To grow in love

Name: Anthony Macha

Hometown: College Station, TX

Where did you attend college and what is your major? University of Dallas, philosophy

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Belcourt, North Dakota

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I heard about SOLT missions from a friend of mine in college, and then visited the SOLT seminary in Detroit. When visiting, the brothers encouraged me to look into the mission program in North Dakota as well.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I came to volunteer this year because I wanted to join a group that is focused on mission work, especially in teaching the Gospel so as to bring souls to God. I have worked in schools the past three years, which I believe gives me background to really help with the parish school. I have met SOLT priests and religious, and have been drawn to the joy that they live in their lives and give to others. In living in the SOLT missions, I hope to learn how to best live my life focused on the truths that God loves me, and desires to me to spread His love to others to the best of my ability.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I look forward to seeing God's grace being made present in surprising, and even miraculous ways. I look forward to the joy that comes when you have helped bring someone to God. I also look forward to regular spiritual direction-the opportunity to be accountable to someone who can guide me in disciplines and in living a life of prayer and joy.

Name: Ally Tolkach

Hometown: Newtown

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Franciscan University; Theology & Catechetics

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? My college, Franciscan University, sends a mission trip to Benque every year on spring break to help out in the schools in the area. Though I never went on the trip myself, I knew a lot of people who had gone and I always heard such great things about the people of Belize and the students in the schools in Benque. Throughout college I was always interested by the idea of serving there for a year, but I never thought I would have actually gotten the opportunity to do so!

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I was in the car with a friend driving to Mass the day after I graduated from college when I saw a text message from a friend of mine who had gone on the Belize spring break mission trip through our school. She explained that SOLT was still looking to fill some teaching positions for the following year and if I was interested I should apply. At that point in time, I had been scrambling to work out my post-grad plans and was not finding anything that gave me any sense of peace or even excitement. When I saw that text, and thought about the idea of living in Belize for a year and getting to teach there, I felt an immediate sense of peace and joy that carried me through the application process and made it super easy for me to accept the position once it was offered. God really just presented this gift to me at the perfect time when I was ready to accept it. Then, after about a year of service, once again God placed me in the perfect position to say another peaceful "yes" to a second year of mission!

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? In this second year of mission, I am really looking forward to growing in relationships with the SOLT community, the community in Benque and my students and their families. This past year it was wonderful to get to know the SOLT priests and sisters in Benque, my fellow missionaries, and my co-workers at the high school. I also really cherished getting to grow in relationships with my students and getting to meet some of their families. This year I am really looking forward to deepening those relationships and more!

Name: Sarah Hazen

Hometown: Muncie, IN

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Ball State University, Spanish Major

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? A friend of one my college roommates had previously served at the mission in Belize, so my roommate put me in contact with her and I applied as soon as she told me about her experience!

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? During my senior year of college I was praying for an opportunity to teach, work with high school students, and practice Spanish in the context of Catholic community. When I came across the SOLT mission in Belize, I remember praying, "Lord, I am going to say yes if this door opens. Please let it open!" When I discovered that I was accepted as a missionary to serve with SOLT, my answer was an ecstatic YES! I committed to a second year of mission with deep peace in my heart convicted that this is where God is asking me to serve Him for another year.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I am looking forward to all the adventures God has in store for us! I am grateful for our mission which is deeply rooted in prayer, and for all the other missionaries and our students we get to serve!

Name: Maria Santos R.

Hometown: San Jose Succotz Village

Where did you attend college and what is your major? John Paul II Junior College

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I have been served by SOLT's missionary volunteers since high school so that is how I came to know about it.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? God called me through my parish priest who suggested that I apply to SOLT's missionary volunteers program as it would help me later on in my life. After some consideration, I decided that this was what God wanted me to do. I have been helped in so many different ways that I think that now is the time to help others.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? First of all, I look forward to deepening my relationship with Jesus. I also want to make good friends and be a good missionary in order to help others just as I was helped.

Name: Mary Kain

Hometown: McCook

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Mid-Plains Community College; Associate if Fine Arts and Associate of Science

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Belcourt, North Dakota

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Mainly from Seek and Sls conferences

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I had been searching for a mission to pursue for a while and the Belize mission caught my eye. I met a lady while on a mission trip in Ireland and she said she had previously served in Belize. She went on to say that it was the best year of her life. So I applied to the mission and with that came a lot of doubt and fear. Moving to another country for a whole year intimidated me. But soon I found out that I wouldn’t be able to go to Belize but could apply for the ND mission. I felt peace with this option and even more peace as I accepted this mission. It was as though God wanted me to go to Belcourt all along.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I look forward to be able to serve those of the Turtle Mountain Reservation, and being able to spread Gods love. I also look forward to growing in faith alongside the other missionaries and living in community with them.

Name: Nick Sears

Hometown: Springfield, MA

Where did you attend college and what is your major? UMass Amherst, Finance and Sports Management

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I originally found out because my neighbor suggested a two week service trip SOLT runs to Benque. Once I got down there we spent a lot of time with people from the mission and I learned a lot about the full year mission trip.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? When I returned from Benque after the two weeks I was not planning on going back. Turns out God was planning on me going back and I kept seeing that in little ways. For me it was a consistent small tug back toward Belize and it took a couple months for me to recognize it was a calling.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? More then anything I am looking forward to being back with the community. The people in Benque are incredibly down to earth and I really enjoy spending time with the students and families. I am also very excited for the faith aspect of the mission which helped me grow so much last year. There is something very special about a lot of young people coming together in pray and working to grow together in faith each day.

Name: Sintia Albeño

Hometown: Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize

Where did you attend college and what is your major? John Paul II Junior College (Associate in liberal arts))

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? It's more like they found me really haha ;)

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? My Theology teacher at the time (she's now a SOLT novice) encouraged me to apply back in 2016

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Meeting the new missionaries!!

Name: Sarah Moore

Hometown: Bremerton, WA

University: St. Martin's University, Religious Studies

Major: St. Martin's University, Religious Studies

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Instagram

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I was looking through Instagram for work. I followed the link because I was always looking for things to recommend to my students post high school. Later in the week I prayed "God you have permission to do whatever in my life." A week later I lost my job. The next morning I applied to be a volunteer. In the span of 24 hours I found out that I didn't get 2 jobs I had been a final candidate for, but I did get offered the opportunity to serve in Belize.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I hear Belize has some yummy avocados! However I'm more excited for the opportunity to love and serve God's people. I love people and can't wait to meet both students and community members.

Name: Anna Brodersen

Hometown: Hartington, Nebraska

Where did you attend college and what is your major? University of Nebraska - Lincoln, majored in Economics

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I found out about SOLT Volunteer programs when I was talking with the SOLT sisters at a FOCUS conference. They told me about the mission in Benque and suggested I consider applying.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? God "cancelled" my plans after I graduated college! I noticed a lasting desire to teach, to serve, receive more formation, and live in community. After meeting members of SOLT, I noticed an attraction to their hearts and I wanted my heart to look like theirs. So when they offered me a way to spend a year serving with them and learning from them in Benque, it was such an obvious response to the desires God saw in me. However, it took another year of work before I believed it and said yes!

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I am so excited to help my students become more of who they were made to be. I look forward to being a missionary where I get to watch the Holy Spirit lead.

Name: Daniel Rivera

Hometown: Benque Viejo, Belize

Where did you attend college and what is your major? John Paul II Junior College; Liberal Arts Major

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? School and many volunteers who came to serve to Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School and John Paul II Junior College. 

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? In my last year of studies at John Paul II Junior College, I had the opportunity to continue onwards in my life with three paths. I had the opportunity to serve in Colon, Queretaro, teach at Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School or to study at a higher education institution in Belize (I received a scholarship from the Government of Belize for this). I knew God was calling me to serve, but it was not clearly evident at the time. So I enrolled to study at UB (University of Belize), but one semester was enough to demonstrate me that I was not prepared for secular ideologies. When the semester was finishing, I shared my struggles with one of my previous professors at JPII and she invited me to consider volunteering with SOLT. I only had to follow. I'm currently in my third year of volunteering. God's timing and will are perfect.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I look forward to serving my students with the utmost enthusiasm and love of Christ. I look forward to sharing the faith with parish members. I look forward to seeing the will of God accomplished. I know that in the missionary community, we have so many different opportunities to serve with each other and grow in holiness as we continue to follow God's plan for our lives.

Name: Isabella Asci

Hometown: Steubenville

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Franciscan University, Major: Theology and Catechetics, Minor: Youth Ministry

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Through past volunteers

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I had always dreamed of going on mission like the great saints and during my senior year of college I thought God might be calling me to mission rather than youth ministry in the US. The only mission I could remember hearing about was a mission in Belize that Abraham Cane and Mary Rose Feely had told me about. They had come to Franciscan my sophomore year of college to do some recruiting for Belize mission. They encouraged me to do mission while I had the chance if it was ever something God put on my heart. I looked through Abe’s Facebook page till I found something about his mission in Belize because I couldn’t remember which organization he had served with. Once I found his posts about Benque, I googled SOLT Belize. I fell in love with SOLT’s charism and applied. As soon as I submitted the application a deep deep sense of peace accompanied by joy and zeal entered my heart and it hasn’t really left since (although of course there are ups and downs). I’m still so excited to follow Jesus in Belize as I go into my 3rd year of mission.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Getting to know the students at the junior college and walking with them in their journey with God.

Name: Andrew Meluch

Hometown: University Heights

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Thomas Aquinas College - Liberal Arts

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? My college friend, Joan Short, now Sr. Joan, found the junior college in the alumni job listings for Thomas Aquinas College, signed, up, and went. I remained in correspondence from school, and thus found out that she was already a dean!

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I wanted to be a volunteer at the Junior College from the first moment I heard about it. It sounded fun, interesting, and like a good way to serve people with as much of my abilities as anything I could cook up. I prayed routinely through the time I applied and applied again (team was full the first time), but I cannot say for sure that God called me except through this desire.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Among other things, to do a good job teaching after two years of practice, and seeing old friends in Belize and Guatemala from previous years.

Name: Mary Lavallee

Hometown: South Hadley, Massachusetts

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Merrimack College, Health Science major

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I found SOLT through family members who have previously served with SOLT in years past!

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? During my junior year of college, I was constantly wondering what my next step was going to be. I knew I didn't want to go to graduate school right away, but I also didn't know what kind of full-time job I wanted. A friend from school introduced me to the idea of taking a gap year and completing a full year of service. Once the idea was planted in my head, I was sold. Soon after, I found SOLT and felt an immediate calling to serve in Benque. What helped me feel the most assured that I was supposed to serve in Belize was my support system back home. My family and friends loved the idea of me living in Belize and serving for a year. Without their support and encouragement I don't know if I'd have the confidence to go through with this calling.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? During this year of missionary service, I look most forward to meeting the people of Benque Viejo and seeing how they live their day-to-day lives. I am so intrigued by new cultures and communities and I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to be welcomed into the Benque Viejo community. As busy as it can be to serve throughout missionary life, I would love to be able to slow down and genuinely get to know the people that I will be living with, the people that I will be serving, and in some cases, the people that will be serving me.

Name: Katie Dulek

Hometown: Lenexa, KS

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Drake University. Secondary Ed and Environmental Science

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I served as a missionary with FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students) for three years and met SOLT Religious at a FOCUS conference.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I was (and still am) discerning Religious Life. After going on a come-and-see visit to the women's formation house in Seattle, I knew the Lord was inviting me to discern further with SOLT. In my mind, the next logical step in discernment would be to enter aspirancy with SOLT, but I felt like that door in my heart was shut. I experienced a very clear and deep confirmation in my heart that Jesus was inviting me to serve in Benque as a lay volunteer. I thought, "This is crazy! I'm moving to Belize!" I had not even applied to go to Belize yet but I knew that was where He was calling me. I remember sitting in the sister's chapel in Seattle, feeling giddy and trying not to bust out laughing at the thought.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I am looking forward to the many relationships that will be formed over the course of the year, both with other missionaries and the people we serve. I am also looking forward to the many challenges that will inevitably come at us, because challenges make us grow. I want to grow as a disciple of Jesus.

Name: Michaela Nee

Hometown: Boston, MA

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Saint Joseph's College, Criminal Justice & Psychology

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Belcourt, North Dakota

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? My brother-in-law served in 2001

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? God called me to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer when COVID-19 struck. I have always wanted to serve, and I always found an excuse not to. I have been on my own since I was 16, and survival became my first priority. Then, COVID struck, which put me out of work. I persisted, and with His grace landed a job in the Mayor's office. My contract was intended to end July 31st, (which it did not) and in early May my sister, who is also my godmother, posed the question: what's next? Well. I had no idea! I never expected to be working for the mayor! But I knew I wanted to do something more meaningful. I knew I did not want to bartend anymore: the environment sometimes felt morally compromising. I often struggle with feeling incomplete. I feel whole when I am helping. My whole life I have been searching, digging for a purpose. So God called, and I answered, and now I'm on my way to North Dakota!

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I look forward to growth: both spiritual and mental. As I have mentioned, I often struggle with feeling incomplete. I was on my own at 16, at the end of the day God is all I've had at times, and He has always been more than enough. That being said, in my personal relationships: I never feel valued. I feel replaceable. I never feel like I am enough. But I have decided it is time to conquer that irrational fear. It is time to ease my unrest. So my hope for this mission, is that by putting my gifts to use through service, I will feel valued, and I will refrain from questioning my worth. This mission is as much an internal one as it is external, and for that I am grateful.

Name: Kimberly Schulte

Hometown: Sioux Falls

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Benedictine College, Math and Secondary Education

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benedictine College Vocations Fair

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? It was an emotional roller coaster. It was senior year of college, and I was looking for a job. It felt like I got offered all the jobs I didn't really want and was turned down from all the jobs I really did want. All the while, I slowly completed the application process for the SOLT mission. Eventually it came down to the choice between an offer I finally wanted and Belize, and I chose Belize.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Improving my teaching to better serve my students and getting to know all the new missionaries!

Name: Andrew Collart

Hometown: Covington, GA

Where did you attend college and what is your major? The University of Dallas | Philosophy

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I went on a very blessed mission trip to Belize in my Junior year of college with SOLT and now, having been accepted for a year of Aspirancy with SOLT vocations, have the great opportunity to spend a year volunteering at the mission there in Benque Viejo. Growing up in Georgia, my family was involved with the SOLT community in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? God called me to discern a possible religious vocation with SOLT through a maturing of my experiences and relationships through high-school and college. He has given me a desire to give my life to Him in what I hope will be a true gift of the best that I have to offer from who he has made me to be. Times where I have especially felt Him speak to me are when I have been able to serve others and been living my prayer life faithfully. So, I am glad that this year will give me the opportunity to take advantage of both of these ways of encountering God!

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I recently read a book that really spoke to my heart called "Why Celibacy? Reclaiming the Fatherhood of a Priest." The idea of Fatherhood is something very beautiful to me. One of my favorite professors at the University of Dallas said in a class on Pope John Paul II's writings that to become a true father is how a man fulfills Christ's call to "be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect." I have just spent a year teaching in Colorado and look forward to doing so in Belize as well. I hope that through this experience and living in a graced community with other children of God that God will teach me more about how to be a father!

Name: Patrick Walsh

Hometown: Newport News, VA

Where did you attend college and what is your major? University of Richmond, Computer Science

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? A friend of mine spent a year as a missionary with SOLT and told me to consider it.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I was headed in one direction; He put obstacles in that path and opened the door to this one.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? I really look forward to living in a Christ-centered community as we work together to reveal the goodness of God to the people we serve.

Name: Kelli & Joe Carvalho (Gabriella, Elijah, Tobias)

Hometown: Ocala, FL

Where did you attend college and what is your major? University of Florida/Nursing (Kelli) and University of Athabasca/Art (Joe)

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? We met while serving with SOLT, In Benque, the 2000/01 school year

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? He asked us to sell our business and our house and to return to Belize with our children, to once again serve where it all began

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Looking forward to a flattening of the COVID curve, the return of the other missionaries to Benque, and the opening of the Cafe/Youth Center!

Name: Luke Morris

Hometown: Springfield VA

Where did you attend college and what is your major? The Catholic University of America

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Belcourt, North Dakota

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? My sister served in Belize in 2016.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? I agreed to serve with the Salesian’s lay missionaries but our departure was pushed back. On the day I found that our Sr. Caritas emailed me saying SOLT was still taking volunteers.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Learning from a different community than my own.

Name: Katie Seiwert

Hometown: Wichita

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Benedictine College, English & Education

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I find out about SOLT through a Spring Break mission trip to Benque when I was at Benedictine College.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? Through my time in Benque and lots of prayer.

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Choco-bananas & leaning into the rhythms of community and prayer life at the mission.

Name: Megan Case

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Where did you attend college and what is your major? Franciscan University of Steubenville, Theology

What location are you serving at with our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? Benque-Viejo Belize

How did you find out about our SOLT Missionary Volunteer Programs? I heard about it from Franciscan graduates while I was still in college.

How did God call you to be a SOLT Missionary Volunteer? God has given me a heart for mission. Since graduating college, I have cared for the elderly, special needs children, and teens. For the last 6 months I have been discerning missionary work, and SOLT really stood out to me, especially the community life! I know this will be extremely beneficial for my growth in holiness, and I am excited to get to Belize (God willing) very soon!

What do you look forward to during this year of Missionary service? Getting to know the people of Belize, showing them the love of their Heavenly Father, and living in community with my fellow Missionaries!