Partners in Mission (PIM) is a program of the Australian Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate which offers people who identify with the spirit of St Eugene de Mazenod , and the Congregation he founded, the opportunity to work as part of the Oblate Mission in China, and develop their own faith by helping others and living in community as lay missionaries.
An Oblate lay missionary is a person who:
• Volunteers their time and talents to serve God by serving others;
• Is inspired by the charism of St Eugene de Mazenod;
• Lives in community with other lay missionaries
• Undertakes a personal formation program
• Is open and willing to learn more about themselves by understanding more about others.
Mission/Ministry Opportunities
As a lay missionary you will assist in ministries in either Hong Kong or Beijing. These ministries may include teaching conversational English and work with sick and abandoned young children, in China. You do not need to be a trained teacher nor do you need to speak Chinese. In Beijing the services of an interpreter will be made available to you. Teaching English is a practical benefit to the children as it provides them with a skill that assists them in gaining employment later in their lives.
Who should apply?
Anyone who is:
• Active in their faith
• Single or married
• Early 20’s to early 60’s
• Good health essential – mission activity can be strenuous and physically challenging. PIM’s are required to participate in a lot of walking, climb stairs unaided, and engage in activity with children of all ages. Good respiratory health is required as exposure to air pollution and smog is likely. Anyone with a serious pre-existing illness should be aware that access to medications is extremely difficult, at times non-existent.
• Willing to learn from a different culture
• Willing to live as part of a religious community with the disciplines and benefits involved therein.
• Willing to obtain and provide police checks and working with children checks (or its equivalent.)
Hong Kong: 4- 6 months
Mission: teaching English to different groups of young people in primary school and secondary school, at times tutoring them after school.
Cost: a negotiable contribution of approximately $3000, to assist with costs of: return airfare, travel insurance, visas, accommodation, in country transport, mobile phone for work, and a small weekly wage to cover incidentals. As a lay missionary you will be responsible for any personal expenditure not related to the mission.
Age: early 20’s to 60’s
Health: good health
When: Late Jan – mid May
Requirements: Application process
Initial interview in person or via phone
Submission of application forms
2nd interview and screening in person
Police check and Working with children check
Training and formation
Hong Kong: 1 month – Summer Program
Mission: teaching and tutoring conversational English to students during their summer break before their exam period.
Cost: Airfare and travel insurance
Meals and accommodation are provided
Age: over 18 years of age
Health: good health
When: approx. last 2 weeks of July – first 2 weeks of August
Requirements: Application process
Initial interview in person or via phone
Submission of application forms
2nd interview and screening in person or via phone
Police check and Working with children check
Beijing: 4-6 months
Mission: teaching English, assisting the orphanage, and working within the baby home.
Expense Cost – a negotiable contribution of approximately $3000, to assist with costs of: return airfare, travel insurance, visas, accommodation, in country transport, mobile phone for work, and a small weekly wage to cover incidentals. As a lay missionary you will be responsible for any personal expenditure not related to the mission.
Age : early 20’s to 60’s
Health: good health ( able to participate in a lot of walking and able to manage stairs)
When: throughout the year
Requirements: Application process
Initial interview in person or via phone
Submission of application forms
2nd interview and screening in person
Police check and Working with children check
Training and formation
Beijing: 2-3 weeks –Immersion experience
Mission: an opportunity to visit the orphanage in Beijing for approximately 12 days. The itinerary includes working with the babies and young children of the orphanage, and seeing the sights of Beijing.
Cost: approximately $1,000 per person (discounts apply for couples and shared rooms) and includes: meals, accommodation, transport, and some tourist activities.
Age: over 18 years of age
Health: good health (able to manage stairs.)
When: once a year (TBA)
Requirements: Application process
Initial interview in person or via phone
Submission of application forms
2nd interview and screening in person or via phone
Police check and Working with children check
Online formation
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