When I found out that I was going to be given the opportunity to go to Ireland, I was overcome with excitement. I began to think about all of the historical sites, views, and people I would encounter. As the trip neared, I thought even more about how grateful I was to travel abroad.
When we arrived last Tuesday, my expectations were exceeded beyond my imagination. Sister Sheila arranged a week long journey through Ireland, allowing each of us to see the immense amount of beauty it has to offer. The Young Mercy Leaders Pilgrimage began on Monday. This portion of our trip shifted us from tourists to pilgrims. As I entered into the pilgrimage I did not know what to expect. I hoped to meet new people and grow with them in mercy.
Today, the conference challenged me and lifted me to do much more than that. Through a variety of workshops, the pilgrimage fed me knowledge about the ministries involved with the mercy community. The workshops brought to light the large number of works of mercy being carried out in the world today.
Not only Sisters of Mercy, but young adults are devoting their lives to helping others. It made me realize how many kind, good people there are. This clear depiction of selflessness challenged me to think about ways in which I can contribute to ministries both near and far. It also lifted me, inspiring me to model the leaders in the mercy community. Their roles have shown me that even the smallest acts of mercy are an integral part in molding and shaping the broken and fractured world that we live in today.
I leave the conference today with a fire in my heart, looking to find ways that I can use my gifts and talents to to repair our world in mercy.