CHARLESTON—Pandemic or no pandemic, work in the vineyard of the Lord must continue.
Recently, the fourth incarnation of the Diocesan Missionary Team arrived at the Drexel House and set about planning their retreat season.
First formed in 2016 by the diocesan Youth and Young Adults Ministry Office, the missionary team is a select group of young adults whose goal is to evangelize and form new leaders within the Church through retreats at parishes and schools.
Here’s a look at the six new members:
Mattie Shaver, 22, from Morgantown, W. Va.
Before this: I received my bachelor’s in social work from Saint Leo University.
What led me to the DMT: Jesus! I had been applying for different youth ministry positions but Jesus told me I needed a year of mission! So here I am!
Special talents: Laying on the beach for six hours straight!
Future goal: To be one ounce holier than I was yesterday!
Hailey Megge, 24, from Port Orange, Fla.
Before this: I served the poor in New York City with LAMP Catholic Ministries.
What led me to the DMT: I felt called by the Lord to serve in youth ministry. I was drawn to the DMT because of the style of work, communal life, and prayer life of the missionaries.
Special talents: For fun, I love to go on a run, play softball, or play guitar.
Future goal: To love Jesus more each day.
Michael Lonas, 20, from Houston, Texas
What I did before this: I was in Australia from January 2018 to December 2019 working in retreat ministry and campus ministry with NET Ministries Australia.
What led me to the DMT: After my time with NET I wanted stability in life, but after spending half a year searching for jobs and the jobs being cancelled by coronavirus I felt God calling me to trust him and serve as a missionary again. I’ll be honest, I still don’t know how I found DMT, but I ended up on the diocesan website and felt like it was the right place for me.
Talents: I love to go bouldering, pick locks, and I can speak a little Arabic.
Future Goal: If I do not join a religious order, I hope to open a music store and café, named “Groovy Beans” (I’m still working on the name haha).
Simon Falk, 24, from Blythewood, S.C.
Before this: I graduated from The Catholic University of America, then was a postulant and novice with the Capuchin Franciscans. I was with them for about a year and nine months.
What led me to the DMT: I heard about the DMT on the diocesan website, because I was looking for jobs to serve the Church.
Special talents: Some skill with bass guitar and guitar, a little bit of parkour, and I occasionally debate Muslims and Anabaptists via their respective phone lines.
Future goal: To put God first in my life, to use the talents He has given me for the good of the Church, and hopefully get better at playing the guitar.
Vinny Mastrolillo, 23, from Simpsonville, S.C.
Before this: This is my second year on the DMT.
What led me to the DMT: The Holy Spirit put a calling on my heart.
Future goal: To continue to spread the love of God through ministry.
Mary Caddell, 22, from Marietta, Ga.
Before this: I attended Franciscan University of Steubenville.
What led me to the DMT: catholicjobs.com
Special talents: Guitar, piano.
Future goal: To travel across Europe.
