Reflection is an important component of any activity undertaken by individuals who are working as part of the Church's ministry of healing.
Whether for volunteers who collect donations, those who participate in medical mission trips, persons who are disaster responders or others, it is important for a reflection on why the activity matters – and how it can feed our call to be a part of a mission that carries on that of Christ.
CHA has several offerings for reflection.
The Guiding Principles is a document with principles that overarch all international outreach activities. It includes questions for reflection with each principle as well as a modern day parable and video. An accompanying reflection guide is also available.
Guiding Principles for Conducting International Health Activities
This CHA resource, developed in 2015, offers Catholic health ministry leaders and others who participate in international projects six Guiding Principles for Conducting International Health Activities.
These principles bring to life the richness of Catholic social teaching and tradition. Based loosely on ;the “Oath for Compassionate Service” in the book Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton, and insights from a special workgroup CHA convened to examine current international health program practice in light of our ministry’s commitments, they are offered to help Catholic health care most appropriately conduct international programs.
An Adaptation of Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:3–20, Luke 8:4–15, The Parable of the Sowing
By Michael Rozier, SJ
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A Reflection Guide for International Health Activities
This booklet is a resource for persons selected as volunteers for mission trips to low- and middle-income countries to help them reflect on the overall experience. Designed for individual or group use, its contents lead users through discerning participation, preparation for a trip, arrival, the days of the experience, leaving, re-entering normal life and remembering and remaining rooted in the experience. Each of its six sections includes questions for reflection, spiritual exercises, sources for additional information and inspirational quotes and poems. It also includes plenty of journaling.
Here are a few additional resources that might be of use to you.