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SOUL
CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF EVANGELIZATION
North America
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
General
General
The only age requirement is that a participant be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate. Typically, participants are 18-30 years old. The average age is around 22. Some participants choose to join SOUL directly out of High School. Many participants are college graduates or those who are taking time off of college to participate in the School of Evangelization.
The application deadline for SOUL '08 is July 1. If the deadline has past, please contact SOUL to see if there are any additional spots available. The deadline at this interval before the program starts in order to give the participants the necessary amount of time to raise the financial support necessary to participate in the School of Evangelization.
No. The rigorous weekly schedule of SOUL requires a full-time commitment. Several weeks of the School is spent serving on mission trips, therefore it would not be possible to maintain a work or school schedule, even part-time, while maintaining your commitment to the School of Evangelization.
No, not necessarily. Yet, if you have a car, and you have the financial resources to pay for insurance and gas, you would be encourage to bring it. A car can be very useful for someone, particularly on free evenings and days off. Transportation will be provided by SOUL to and from the events and trips that are an official part of the School of Evangelization.
Next school dates are July 28, 2008 thru December 12, 2008. You can move in anytime after July 25. If it would need to be any earlier (a week or so), then contact SOUL directly to discuss other arrangments.
SOUL desires to meet each participant where they are and then challenge them to go deeper and deeper in their relationship with God. Daily Mass is a part of the weekly schedule and when the community gathers for common prayer it consists of praise and worship, Liturgy of the Hours, The Rosary, The Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other types of prayer. The staff of SOUL also holds to the conviction that the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are alive and well in the Church, and that the exercise of the charismatic gifts are meant for today and not just for apostolic times. In order to maintain unity in the body, the staff of SOUL asks applicants to the program to remain open to the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This is done knowing well that it is God's gifts that we are receiving, and that the gifts will only be received when both freedom and humility are present.
Contact SOUL for more information on this.
Yes. These situations would be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact SOUL with further questions regarding this matter.
Yes. It is our great fortune that our local Bishop, Thomas J. Rodi is very familiar with, as well as, supportive of the ministry.
The answer is yes, yes, and yes. It completely depends upon the person, their interest and goals in life, as well as the circumstantial timing surrounding the decision. At every phase in life, people will find it helpful to participate in SOUL. Whether it is a college graduate taking a year to serve upon graduation before beginning a career, or a graduating high school senior who is not exactly certain about going right into college, or someone in the midst of college who senses God calling them to take time off to focus more deeply on Him. Each time period will worked well for different people. The key is to discern God's specific call and the timing that fits best for each person. It should be noted that SOUL is not "anti-higher ed". Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many graduates of SOUL will even be more energized and hold stronger education convictions after the program is completed as compared with their sentiments regarding education before the program began.
Money
Money
Cost per student may vary because of scholarships, grants and fundraising events. Contact us for more information.
Everything! The cost covers room and board (meals), travel expenses during Institute, books, and supplies. The only thing that you will need to provide is occasional spending money and personal items (toiletries, etc..)
Yes. A good estimate would be approximately $50/month. You may want more for the two to three mission trips. Spending money often goes toward eating out, movies, souvenirs, snacks, etc...
Yes. If you are no longer covered under your parent's policy, many Insurance companies have reasonable policies for individuals. If you need evidence of the academic nature of the School, in order to remain on your parent's insurance, we would happy to draft a letter on your behalf.
No. We have a payment plan available whereby you pay $2,000 on the first day of school, then $1,000 a month there after. An additional $250 will be added to the total cost for those who choose to utilize this payment plan.
Overall Schedule
Overall Schedule
Aproximately 3/4 of the School will be spent in Picayune, MS, living in household and going through the typical schedule of any given week. The other 1/4 will be given to mission trips. Highlights for '08 will include mission trips to Mexico and Trinidad.
Click icon to view a typical week schedule for the most exact details in answering this questions.
As a general rule the breakdown is as follows:
The most demanding days of the week are Monday through Thursday. Each of those days begins around 8am and often goes into the late evening, with extensive breaks during various afternoons and evenings. Friday is usually a free day. Saturday is a day focused on "household and community" and it is when Women's and Men's Small Groups are held, as well as the celebration of the "Lord's Day" in the evening. Sunday is the Sabbath and is meant to be a day of rest, prayer, and for the celebration of the Eucharist.
Yes. Sunday through Wednesday nights the curfew is 11pm. Thursday is a free night. Friday and Saturday the curfew is at Midnight. The curfew was instituted to ensure everyone ample opportunity for sleep, as well as the chance to build relationships, specifically, with the members of your household.
No and yes. As a community, we desire to live simply and to grow in relationship with each other and with God. Watching television can interfere with these goals. Typically, there will be no use of television during the School, except for special events, such as watching a movie or for academic purposes. We receive a daily newspaper for keeping up with current events.
Yes. While the schedule can, at time, be quite rigorous there is suitable amount of free time built into the weekly routine. Fridays are completely free and some afternoons and evenings are free as well. These are times for each participant to use according to their own discretion and are great times to catch up with family and friends or to just take a nap, read a book, or to write a letter.
Housing and Meals
Each participant will live in either the men's or women's household. Each household is directed by a household leader who is a trained staff member of SOUL. The household for the men is located above the car garage, whereas, the women live in the second story above the School.
Housing and Meals
The School stood with no damages due to Hurricane Katrina. But, in case of a catagory 3+ Hurricane, you may seek safe haven with your family. In the case of a Hurricane near your family's home, you may leave to be with your family.
Yes and possibly. In most cases rooms will be shared by two to three people, and in some instances, depending upon the demand for space, there may be as many as four to a room. Rest assured that while you may not have as much room as you are used to, but you will certainly have as much room as you need. If you have a desire to room with a particular person, please notify SOUL so that they may take this into consideration when roommates are assigned.
A household is an intentional Christian community. This means that each member desires to live according to a set of agreements that are designed to develop in them the traits of a disciple (one who follow Jesus). A household is a community; not just a set of room-mates. Decisions are made in order that the community may mutally grow and benefit. It will involve a simple sacrificial lifestyle that desires to put others needs ahead of one's own. Being in a SOUL household includes going to Mass together, praying together daily, sharing meals and chores, hanging out with each other, being quick to forgive and slow to take offense, and holding one another accountable to a lifestyle that honors and glorifies God. It is a demanding, yet rewarding life and once you've experienced the fruit and joy of living in household, you will never imagine that there is actually a better way to live.
It all depends upon the meal and the day of the week. The majority of your meals will be eaten in your household and prepared by members of your household. Some of the meals (i.e., breakfast during the week and a couple of lunches during the week, as well as many Lord's Day celebrations) will be shared as a community.
