Padre Aplas

The Padre Aplas Leadership Program

The Padre Aplas Leadership Program is dedicated to Blessed Stanley Rother, an American-born missionary priest from Okarche, Oklahoma, who selflessly served the Tz’utujil people of Guatemala for 13 years before he was martyred for the faith on July 28, 1981. 


The life of Father Rother, known as Padre Aplas to the Tz’utujil, is a testament to the beautiful work God does with our lives when we open our hearts to his call.  Father Stan was an ordinary farm boy from Oklahoma.  He surprised many when he forewent farming, responding to the call of the priesthood, and choosing a life of service and ministry to people suffering from poverty and oppression.  


Where Our Deep Gladness Meets the World’s Deep Hunger
The Padre Aplas Program is an opportunity for young people in the Diocese of Crookston to grow as leaders in the Catholic Church. Just as God stirred the heart of this ordinary man for extraordinary service, the Padre Apla’s Program is designed to awaken the hearts of young leaders to their God-given gifts and seek ways to apply those gifts to the great needs of their communities and world.  

 
The Program
When the Padre Aplas Leadership Program was created, the original vision was to go beyond a typical mission trip and develop young Catholic leaders who are formed in Catholic Social Teaching. Anybody can serve, and many people do. As Catholics, it is important to understand that how we serve and why we serve is intimately connected to the Sacraments and the life and person of Jesus Christ. Jesus teaches us that serving, IS leading. The leadership Jesus models for his disciples changed the world. To uphold the integrity of the program, it is important that all applicants/participants understand and are prepared to commit to all program components.


The Padre Aplas Program has three phases: Formation, the Guatemala Experience, and the Guided Leadership Project.

Formation
All participants must attend one formation retreat in Spring 2025.
The Guatemala Experience
The Guatemala Experience will take place July 12 – 21, 2025.  During this experience, students will continue their formation through a week of prayer, formation, and service to the poor. We also make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Atitlan where Blessed Father Stanley Rother was martyred.
Catholic Social Teaching Leadership Project
Following the Guatemala Experience, participants will discern a project that allows them to take on a greater leadership role in their parish or diocese.  This leadership project will be rooted in one of the Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The Padre Apla’s Leadership Program is open to current 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students in the Diocese of Crookston.
The Program is for active, practicing Catholics seeking to grow in leadership and discipleship.
 

All Applicants must commit to the following:
Formation Retreat, Saturday, March 22, 2025, OR Sunday, April 6, 2025 (Location TBA)
Participation in the Guatemala Mission Experience - July 12 - 21, 2025
Catholic Social Teaching Leadership Project - Group Gathering - Saturday, September 13, 2025*
*Current Seniors attending college in '25-'26 will have the option to join via Zoom.


In addition, all participants will commit to raising funds and awareness for the organizations we serve in Guatemala. Participants will be guided in this process.


The Padre Apla’s Leadership Program is limited to 28 youth participants. Please note that preference will be given to:

Practicing Catholics, active in their home parish as verified by applicants pastor.
Applicants whose applications and references reflect the maturity and responsibility necessary for international travel.
Applicants who apply before the early application deadline of Sunday, January 12th at 11:59 PM.
Please complete the application form in its entirety. If you have any questions, email Program Director Bob Noel at [email protected].

With all things equal, applicants will be considered in the following order:

Current Seniors who have never participated in the Padre Apla’s Program.
Current Juniors who have never participated in the Padre Apla’s Program.
Current Sophomores who have never participated in the Padre Apla’s Program.
Current Seniors who have participated in the Padre Apla’s Program.
Current Juniors who have participated in the Padre Apla’s Program.
 

Cost
The anticipated cost of the program is $1,925 per participant, but this amount could fluctuate based on airline prices. We are also actively seeking further funding and scholarships that could potentially reduce this price.

 

About the Guatemala Experience
The Guatemala Experience includes:
Daily Mass, Worship, and Praise/Adoration
Daily Service with the Luz de Maria Children’s Home and Project Genesis School
A Pilgrimage to the shrine of Blessed Stanley Rother (Padre Aplas)
Opportunities to learn about the culture, the land, and the people, including a one-day travel experience to the volcanic Lake Atitlan and the opportunity to hike the Pacaya Volcano.
Opportunities to work, serve, live, and pray together as a community.
 

Applications
Applications for the 2025 Padre Aplas Leadership Program are now closed. Please contact Bob Noel for further information.