Ways to help the FMU
You can financially help the FMU though our appeals, mass cards and enrollments, contributions to feed the poor, requesting candles and prayers for your intentions, or even remembering the FMU in your will.
2. Become a Missionary
One of the most exciting things that anyone can do is work in the missions of the Church. You have the opportunity to live and work and pray with people who share your faith and vision. There are many volunteer programs that would enable you to share in the missionary activity of the Church for a short time or a long time, in the United States or overseas. Here are some sites that might offer you some ideas:
Franciscan opportunities:
The Franciscan Mission Service www.francicanmissionservice.org
The Franciscan Volunteers www.franciscanvolunteerministry.org
Sites that open up a world of volunteer opportunities:
The St. Vincent Pallotti Center www.pallotticenter.org and Catholic Volunteer Network Services www.cvns.org
3. Pray for the Men and Women Who Work in the Missions
Nothing makes a difference like prayer. Perhaps you can just make a little note in your favorite prayer book to pray for missionaries. They are special people and they special difficult challenges with energy, joy and determination. Your prayer for them really helps.
4. Buy Fair Trade Products
There are some simple shopping decisions that you can make which can have a profound effect on the lives of people who live in mission territories. If you buy fair trade products you make sure that everyone who made it possible for you to buy a product is paid fairly. Two examples are coffee and chocolate. For example, when you buy a pound of coffee in the supermarket you may pay seven or eight dollars. Of that money, the people who grow the coffee beans may get just a few cents. But when you buy Fair Trade coffee, everyone who helps to make it possible for you to wake up in the morning gets a fair share. They are no longer exploited and they can take care of themselves and even help others. There are lots of other products that you can use for yourself, as gifts, or even for fundraising. It can make a big difference. Check out these websites for more information: www.fairtradeexchange.com and www.globalexchange.org