May 28, 2010
Grant applications for ‘reverse mission sought’
The Tri-State Chapter of the Maryknoll Lay Affiliates is accepting applications for two sets of grants. The Haiti Ministry Endowment offers grants to parishes in the Diocese of Evansville seeking to develop new projects through their Haitian Parish Twinning Program. The Global Social Justice Endowment seeks applicants who desire to take Third World immersion trips.
“Applying is a simple process with a goal of helping connect persons in the tri-state to persons throughout the world.
We hope to receive several applications to consider,” said Ann Ennis, a member of the Maryknoll Lay Affiliates.
The group will disburse two or three travel grants of approximately $400 each for a reverse mission to developing countries. Priority is given for travel to Haiti. The group also gives priority to Catholic applicants from parishes in the Diocese of Evansville. “But grants have been given to travelers in Mexico border trips, South Africa, Ecuador, and other locales,” Ennis said.
The Global Social Justice Grant for Third World Travel is open to anyone in southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky and southern Illinois.
Applicants must write a letter that includes where they are going, why they are going, what they hope to learn and also includes three personal references. Past recipients have visited Haiti, Mexico, Belize and Ecuador.
There are also funds from the Haiti Ministry Endowment that can be used by any Diocese of Evansville parish to facilitate a new project or partnership with a twinned Haitian Parish. To apply, the Outreach Commission, Pastoral Associate, Pastor or Parish Council must write a letter of request. Letters must include amount of funds sought, new project to be funded, timetable, source of matching funds if needed, length of Twinning relationship between the parishes and a brief outline of past contacts between parishes.
“We hope to be able to disburse $800 for a special project or smaller amounts to a few parish twinning projects,” Ennis said.
The Maryknoll group will meet in late August. “Applicants need to be traveling within 12 months of making the application, and need to allow four months between application and receiving the check,” Ennis said.
Applications can be sent to Ann Ennis, 10626 Orchard Lane, Evansville, IN 47720 or to John Schroering, 2190 E. State Road 164, Jasper, IN 47546.