The “Mission Possible” Youth team embarked on a journey to get to know God on a deeper more profound level when they spent two weeks working with the poor of St. Lucia.
The young missionaries assisted the Missionaries of Charity sisters helping to feed the children who lived in the slums that surround the convent. They hiked up treacherous mountains as they witnessed the greatest poverty but the richest and deepest of faiths. The youth took time out to visit the abandoned elderly in the Marion Home, which is run by Carmelite Nuns; the physically and mentally impaired who resided at St. Lucy’s Home, run by the Sisters of Jesus the Saviour; and visited with the children from the Holy Family Children’s Home, run by the Dominican Sisters. In the different locations the young missionaries sang songs, exchanged conversations, listened and embraced all with love and the human touch. Many times the missionaries were told that their visit brought those they encountered “Hope!”
They shared in the joy of the children from the Home who received new outfits from the “Mission Clothe Me” Project. Some of the children eagerly tried on and modeled their new clothes. Amos, one of the children living in the home asked Fr. John, “Is this what Christmas is like?” It was a rare yet great moment to see all the children happy and smiling. Most of them are sad and angry because they were left behind by their parents.
On a visit to the St. Lucia Crisis Center, set up by the Catholic church to help steer kids away from the streets and violence, the team listened in shock as the children recalled how they live out their daily lives surrounded by violent acts of shootings, stabbings and even rape. The team left the center in silence, pondering the stories they just heard.
The Youth on Mission had been given the task of painting a hall for the Marion Home and had much time to reflect on all their experiences and visits. It was not just the transformation of the building that emerged but the hearts of each one of our young team members as well.
The Youth worked hard, answering the call of the poor, treating all they met with great dignity. The Mission Office is proud of how they 
represented the Diocese of Venice and shared their Catholic Faith.
— Elma McCaughey, Mission Coordinator for the Diocese of Venice
Mission Possible 2012 was spiritually fruitful. For two weeks the young missionaries from the Diocese of Venice worked with the smallest of children to those more advanced in years. They spent many hours talking with children in a Crisis Center, children in a home for the abused and the abandoned, the mentally challenged, the elderly, and the Missionaries of Charity. In all these experiences, our missionaries brought the joy and hope of the gospel of Christ to all they served.
The Good News of the Gospel was clearly seen in the acts of love shown on the trip. In working with the poorest of the poor, our young people certainly recognized the importance of taking a preferential option for the poor. They realized the voices of the poor must be listened to and responded to. Many of the group commented that the mission trip changed their lives forever because of their encounters. Many of the missionaries shared they had a profound experience of God by entering into the lives of the poor.
— Fr. John, Diocesan Mission Director