The average time a Youth Minister lasts at their job is 18 months. We believe our ministers and churches deserve more. That’s why St. Ann started a one year program, where young ministers can immerse themselves in ministry, be trained in the latest techniques for youth/children's ministry, and deepen their own prayer lives- all while being part of our vibrant parish community.

 
 

The Experience

Located in the Diocese of Dallas, St. Ann Parish is a vibrant Catholic community of about 8,000 families. St. Ann's vision is to BRING people the Jesus, FORM disciples, and SEND them to transform the world. One vital way this vision is carried out is through our children & youth ministries. Our youth ministry program began in 1997 and over time has become one of the largest in the nation.

Through devoted leadership within the parish St. Ann continues to push the status quo for ministry, and seek out the empty, hungry, and broken. Through our Missionary Institute, you will work as one of our full- time Youth/Children Ministers, learning the ins and outs of parish ministry + being equipped to step into your own leadership role upon leaving the Institute. Our goal is to stop the cycle of burnout in ministry and equip those who are called to lifelong ministry in the Church!

 
 

What you’ll give:

A year commitment (with Optional second year) to full-time ministry at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell, TX

What you’ll get:

+ Housing and meals

+ Monthly stipend

+ Ministry experience

+ Leadership training

+ Mentorship

+ Community

+ Reduced graduate studies cost

 

Who can apply?

Prospective missionaries must be 21 years or older in 2025 (Can be turning 21 during the year).

Want to join the adventure? Apply Now!

Want to partner with us?

Consider donating, hosting a missionary, or attending one of our fund raisers.

The Foundations

FRONTLINE

We believe every minister deserves to be in teaching situations. Through the institute, missionaries will encounter real-life ministry by helping lead weekly programs in our Children & Youth departments. Through this experience we believe missionaries will leave St. Ann ready to step into a director role at their own parish.

RELATIONAL MINISTRY

Relational ministry is one of the foundations of all our programs at St. Ann. We believe in meeting people where they are and journeying with through life. Most first-year ministers do not have time for relational ministry because of all the other responsibilities. Through the institute, missionaries will have the opportunity to foster relationships with the children, youth, and volunteers, and make a lasting impact on themselves and others.

PRAYER

We never want to talk more about Jesus than we do to Jesus. Prayer is the foundation that all we do at St. Ann. Missionaries will enter into daily prayer to strengthen their own prayer life. They will also participate in prayer with the St. Ann staff and among and for the community that they serve.

COMMUNITY

It is hard to do life alone….so don’t! Join other missionaries in community as they work to bring others to Jesus! Missionaries will have the opportunity to be in community with one another and be part of the larger community of St. Ann. We believe through this experience they learn the value of having others around them and not isolating themselves in ministry!

More Information + FAQ

  • Missionaries will be actively involved in our Children and Youth Ministry programs. They will be assigned a mentor on staff whom they will meet with weekly. They will also come together as a missionary class to study, learn, and fellowship.

  • Missionaries will be housed with host families from the St. Ann Community. These families will also provide each missionary with meals.

  • Missionaries have the oppertunity to take graduate classes at a reduced rate through Franciscan University.

  • Each class will be made up of 5-10 missionaries.

    • Applications Open Sept 2025

    • March Applications closed

    • June 2nd, Missionary class reports for first day