Seeds of Faith Grant Spotlight: Vagabond Missions Impact

We are so grateful for the beautiful ministry taking place through Vagabond Missions, and we are delighted to support it through our Seeds of Faith, Faith Formation Endowment Grant. This grant exists because thousands of families across our diocese gave so generously in the early 2000s, planting seeds they hoped would bear fruit for future generations. Today, that hope is being fulfilled. Look at this incredible fruit in Julia Windley‑Daoust’s story below.

Story below by Julia Windley-Daoust

This summer serving with Vagabond Missions has been so fruitful for my life, and I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your donations and prayers. 

One thing I learned from the summer internship serving in the inner city was that I cannot change the difficulties that come with living in the inner city–but I can keep on showing up despite and within those difficulties, and that is where real impact is made. The thing I enjoyed most about the internship was the people. From the other missionaries to the teens to the local community that has gathered around Vagabond, everyone was so kind and full of joy. Laughter is such a key part of Vagabond and illuminates so much of the work they do.

At one point I remember the other interns and I having to drop off one of the teens at home after one of our gatherings. When we arrived at her apartment there was a particular person we could
see was home that she was not fond of. The other interns and I gave each other a brief look and I drove off, saying “let’s just take a couple more laps around the apartments”. And so we did. We
drove around the parking lot next door going in circles until we were laughing and too dizzy to keep going. Even though we had been “on” nonstop since early in the morning, stalling for an
extra twenty minutes was the most fun we had that day. In the end we had to drop off the teen and tell her to call us if she needed anything, but in the midst of a difficult situation we were able
to re-introduce a moment of joy. 

I really do feel like the luckiest person in the world, and I owe all who supported me an incredible debt. This summer was one of those gifts that never seems to stop giving. I've met
friends and family I will cherish for my lifetime, and I've witnessed and experienced such valuable lessons. I've continued to practice humbling myself and putting myself into the
uncomfortable, because at the end of the day, no matter how different we are as people or how different our lives look to each other, “we have forgotten that we belong to each other” (Mother
Teresa). We belong to each other and we need each other. Once we all are able to remember that, depend on God’s grace, and put it into practice, then we will know the fullness of life.

As the summer ends, I ask one more thing of you all (just one more thing!). I ask that you keep our teens in Wichita in your prayers, however that may look for you. They deserve much better
cards than they've been dealt, and a big thing I've learned is that I cannot–and Vagabond cannot–magically change that for them. We can only be there for them and with them, and offer
God’s love to them in what they have been given. Please pray for the continuous work of Vagabond Missions, across the U.S. and particularly in Wichita. See more about our work here.

Thank you again, Julia Windley-Daous

 

Why this topic? Catholic identity, evangelization and formation are a top organizational priority for the Catholic Foundation. Beyond being a part of what we've always supported, this topic was surfaced by interviewees in our 2025 diocesan listening exercise across Southern Minnesota. The Catholic Foundation Board has selected this as one of our strategic priorities. Visit our FY27-FY30 strategic plan page to learn more.