Frontier Corps in Utah
Diocesan Press Service. June 7, 1965 [XXXIII-11]
A small group of committed Christians studying, working and living together for two years in order to discover their mission as laity - this is the vision behind the Frontier Corps to begin this fall at St. Christopher's Mission to the Navajos, Bluff, Utah.
The Frontier Corps developed out of the knowledge that there are Christians willing to dedicate their lives to Christ and to the service of their fellow men; but who do not feel called to enter the priesthood, the religious life, or work in full-time church positions. They are not satisfied, either, merely to take a more active role in parish affairs. Because of the many demands placed upon them, parish priests have little time to train such persons adequately. As a result, such laymen have few places to turn to.
With these thoughts in mind, the staff of St. Christopher's decided to provide a place and a program for such laypersons. As a part of the Frontier Corps, they will be expected to offer two years of their lives to study and training. The first year they will study theology, holy scriptures, liturgics, church history; Navajo language; and sociology, particularly as it relates to the Navajos. The second year they will work among the Navajos in an assigned outstation, living with the people there, and visiting families in order to teach the Faith, assist in family problems, report medical and welfare needs and provide job counseling. During their field work, the trainees will return to the Mission for consultation, assistance and recreation so that a common life can be maintained.
Those interested in applying for the first class, or in obtaining further information, can write the Rev. Ian Douglas Mitchell, St. Christopher's Mission, Bluff, Utah 84512.