Teach Bhríde 2023 – 2024

Dublin

Lizo McMahon – House Director

Lizo is stoked to return to Dublin and serve as House Director. She graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Her family hails from Eagan, MN. While there is the occasional sighting of snow in Ireland, she will miss the snowy winters and watching hockey with her friends and family. In Dublin, you will likely find her trying out a new coffee shop or a new park to read a book. She loves to cook and can’t wait to try out new recipes for her community members.

Meaghan Gould

Meaghan Gould, Philadelphia PA is a recent graduate of Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame IN. Meaghan graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and specializes in vocal performance. During her time at Saint Mary’s, she took part in the Rome Program, studying abroad in Rome during the spring semester of her Junior year. She was also involved in music ministry, was the CNAfME President, and the leader of the Choir Board. Her senior comprehensive project was entitled the Art of Arranging: an in-depth look at arranging Art songs for Treble Choir. Meaghan works for St.Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Collingswood, NJ as a primary cantor for weekend masses, weddings, and funerals. She is an active member of the choir and cantors for many of the parish concerts. Meaghan has been involved in Catholic church music ministry since she was a junior in high school. She enjoys choral performing and most especially choral conducting. Through her service to House of Brigid she hopes to offer her experience in music performance and music ministry to Newman Church and the city of Dublin.

Emily Hannon

Originally from Cary, North Carolina, Emily graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in History in May 2023. Emily loves theatre and was the executive producer of Notre Dame’s student-led Shakespeare company her senior year. She especially enjoys watching musicals whenever she gets the chance. In her free time, Emily can be found reading, baking, working out, or watching basketball and soccer. Emily studied in abroad in Dublin in summer 2022 and is excited to return to the city to serve with House of Brigid.

Jane Porter

Jane graduated this past May from the University of Dayton while majoring in Marketing and minoring in Pre-Law and Philosophy. Outside of class you could find her competing on the track as a D1 sprinter for the Flyers, or dancing on Dayton’s Irish Dance Team. Jane loves the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends and family! As a former barista she also loves meeting new people for coffee while trying out local coffee shops. She is so excited to embark on this new adventure to Ireland through the House of Brigid, and is eager to get to know her new community members better!

Wexford

Becca Haines – House Director

Hello! My name is Becca Haines and I am from Midland, Michigan. I come from a family of five and have an older brother, a younger sister, and two cats. In college I studied microbiology and German at the University of Michigan and graduated in May 2022. While there I was involved in various ministries at our campus parish including music ministry, discipleship groups and lectoring, and I really appreciated growing in my faith throughout that time! Outside of the parish I also spent time in the campus orchestra, doing research in my lab, and working as a student tutor. Some of my favorite activities include playing piano, journaling, hiking, playing card games, and spending time with friends and family. I love witnessing and hearing the faith testimonies of others and enjoy walking and sharing in faith together, as well as spending quality time alone with the Lord. Being a part of House of Brigid has been an incredible experience and I’m looking forward to a second year with the program!

Katie Galusha

Katie Galusha, recently graduated from Providence College, is originally from Wethersfield, CT. While in school, she majored in Political Science and double-minored in music and film. Music has been a monumental part of her time at Providence, translating into participation in music ministry, the radio station, and working in the music department as a videographer and learning about live sound recording. She is thankful for her family, as well as her friends that she had made through music and Campus Ministry, especially St. Cecilia’s Ensemble. She’s excited to continue participating in music ministry as well as joining the community in Wexford!

Claire Mason

Claire is from Toronto, Canada and is excited to be the first Canadian in the House of Brigid program. Her first introduction to music was learning guitar and singing covers of pop songs; at 10, she started performing her original music at talent shows and festivals around the city. Choir has been a part of her life for nearly a decade, as she has sung in various school and church ensembles. After high school, she pursued a Bachelor of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she discovered a passion for conducting, and graduated in 2022. Since then, she has been leading musical workshops for children and working at a bookstore. When she is not making – or listening to – music, Claire loves to hike, read, and try out new recipes in the kitchen.

Brendan Sanchez

Brendan grew up in a Catholic household in the Greater Milwaukee Area of Wisconsin. An avid musician and step dancer from a young age, Brendan was a familiar resource in several Midwest and international Irish festivals, as well as a respected vocalist and bagpiper in liturgical settings. Brendan studied criminology and psychology at Marquette University, graduating in 2023. During his college experience, and after a reversion to the Catholic Faith, he had the opportunity to work in relational ministry to teens with the Love Begins Here Initiative in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, where he fell in love with talking about God’s Infinite Love with teens and young adults, especially those who find it hard to believe that they are unconditionally loved by God. Brendan is excited and humbled to be a HoB Fellow this year!