NET FAQs

Application Process | Logistics | Music Training 

Application Process

Our Interview Retreat Weekend is a crucial part of the application process. It’s an opportunity for you get to know NET and for NET to get to know you. Once we’ve received your application, and it is reviewed by our staff, you may be invited to attend an Interview Retreat Weekend. After the weekend is over, you will hear from NET within three weeks with our decison. We’re excited that you are interested in serving with NET, and we look forward to meeting you!
Who Can Apply?
NET Ministries considers non-married, practicing Catholics between the ages of 18-28 for their program.  In order to serve on NET, applicants must have graduated High School or GED equivalent before training begins.
Do I have to answer all questions in the application?
Yes, we recommend answering all the questions because your application is all we have to go on when deciding whether or not to invite you to an interview weekend. Answer the questions to the best of your ability.
Why do you need a picture?
The picture is used for identification purposes only: 1) to identify those who are to be picked up at the airport, bus or train stations for an interview weekend, and 2) after the interview weekend, it helps staff put a name with a face when needed.
Do I have to be Catholic?
Yes. Since NET team members are ministering in Catholic parishes and schools, team members do need to be practicing Catholics.
I have never attended a retreat before, can I still apply?
Yes, each year NET has team members who, prior to NET, have never facilitated a retreat or even been on one.
Do I have to be active at a parish to be on a team?
No, but one does need to be a practicing Catholic.
What if I have a child already?
It will depend on circumstances. You will need to speak with the Recruiting Coordinator.
What if I'm divorced?
It will depend on circumstances. You will need to speak with the Recruiting Coordinator.

Logistics

  • Team members serve from mid-August through mid-May each year. The exact dates vary by year. Team members who are invited to attend music training are asked to arrive 10 days earlier than the other team members.
  • Itineraries are assigned to each team. On average, a Retreat Team serves in 7 to 9 dioceses across the country, while Discipleship Teams remain and serve in one parish or school each for the entire NET year.
  • NET asks each team member to raise $6,000 – $7,000 in partnership funds. Most team members have no difficulty doing so. If you are not able to raise your partnership prior to the start of training, NET will work with you for fundraising options. The partnership each team member raises is about 1/3 of what it costs NET to keep a team member on the road for a year. The rest of NET’s funding comes from retreat fees and organizational fundraising.

Each Retreat Team is given a 12-14 passenger van and a trailer for the year. Team members mostly stay with host homes, moving from host home to host home daily. Team members will always stay in a host home with at least one other same gender team member.

Each Discipleship Team will have the opportunity to stay in host homes for a few weeks at a time, as opposed to moving to a new host home every day as traveling teams do. Again, team members will always stay in a host home with at least one other same gender team member.

NET can provide team members with medical insurance if they so choose. However, pre-existing conditions are excluded.
NET does not give loan deferments. However, we can provide a letter to send to your lender asking your bank to give you a deferment due to your year of service work. NET team members are not eligible for Americorp grants because the work they do is religious in nature and is ineligible for federal aid.
A typical NET retreat consists of ice breakers, large group presentations, small groups, skits, dramas, personal sharing, and an opportunity for retreatants to respond in prayer to the message of God’s love.

Music Training

Music training is designed to develop the heart of worship in the heart of you; the worship leader. During your time at music training you will learn to play, pray, eat and sleep like a worship leader. Welcome to Music Training!

Why Music Training?
To really serve by leading others in “Addressing . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.” Ephesians 5:19

What it means to be a musician on NET?
A musician on NET is not just a musician. You are a servant leader – humbly laying down your life for a heart of authentic worship.

The role of the worship leader or music leader?
To boldly lead your fellow missionaries in authentic worship and “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” – Psalm 33:3
Audition Videos
Deadline to submit a video is July 1st.
Missionaries interested in coming to music training will receive an email from our music coordinator once missionary contract is submitted.

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