Last March, as me and my fellow Teach Bhríde friends began to prepare for our journeys to Ireland, we had expectations and desires as to what this program would bring to us. Our minds dreamt of singing in choirs, having tea with parishioners, hopping on a bus to Wexford and/or Dublin to visit the other HoB fellows, sight seeing around the Emerald Isle, sitting in pubs, etc. Although none of these dreams have come to fruition for us just yet (hope and patience is ever present), the one dream that has certainly crystallized for both houses is that of living in a supportive, fun, and faith-filled community.

As Teach Bhríde XIII’s fellows begin to prepare their hearts, minds, and suitcases for their own journeys to Ireland in August 2021, they too begin to dream up their own dreams. Choirs, bonding over tea and pints, hikes, and bus rides across the country may also come to their minds. With great hope, I would say that some, if not all, of these dreams may come to life for them, God-willing. But if Teach Bhríde XII could leave behind any example, it would be that above any and all dreams and desires for this program, living and growing in community is indeed the most important and fulfilling.

Cheers to the upcoming fellows of Teach Bhríde XIII and to another year full of laughter, friendship, and faith in the comfort of our homes in Wexford and Dublin, at Newman University Church and Clonard Parish, and hopefully on some trains or bus rides to sightsee another part of Ireland together. Welcome, friends!

We are excited to introduce you to the future communities in their bios below!

Saint Brigid, Pray for Us! 

Stay well,

Katy Stalter

Teach Bhríde Dublin

Katy Stalter — House Director

Katy is thrilled to return to Ireland for her second year as House Director of Teach Bhríde Dublin and as a minister at Newman University Church on St. Stephen’s Green. Katy graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 2020 where she earned a BA in Religious Studies and Communication Studies. She reigns from (what she calls) the best city, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but she can also tell you all about the several states that her family has lived in over the years. Today you can often find Katy creating, whether that be by compiling photos, writing songs and poetry, and/or posting reflections on her personal blog, “BeLoved Revealed.” She loves to tell stories, reflect on, write about, and sing about life-giving moments, and share in laughter with all the loved ones that surround her. That being said, she can’t wait to share in story-telling, laughter, music, & faith with her new HoB community and the lovely individuals that she will see back at Newman University Church throughout the year. God bless and sláinte!

Dan Donnelly

Dan was born in Layton, Utah but grew up in Beavercreek, Ohio. Dan studied mechanical engineering at Notre Dame and looks forward to a career solving real-world problems. Sport climbing with the Notre Dame Climbing Club has been a big part of his life the last four years, but Dan also enjoyed time with the Sailing and Boxing club. He has been blessed to be able to become a part of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir during his senior year where he has found a great deal of joy in the beauty of liturgical music. Dan loves reading, music, and discussion. He’s excited to spend the next year building relationships in service.

Sammie Van Norstrand

Sammie will graduate in May 2021 from the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a minor in Theater. As the eldest of three, Sammie was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado, where her passions for music, faith, and adventure began to dig deep roots. Sammie converted to Catholicism her sophomore year of high school and dove headfirst into her home parish’s community soon after. Sammie’s passion for her faith eventually led her to the University of Portland, where she grew closer to God and her fellow Pilots through attending and planning retreats, singing in the University Singers mixed choir, and playing guitar for several Masses across campus. Sammie studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria in Summer 2019, and while she never got the chance to visit Ireland, she is overjoyed to be serving in one of her top bucket-list travel destinations. When she’s not participating in all things faith and music, you can find Sammie most likely with an iced coffee in hand, watching YouTube and true-crime documentaries, or having deep conversations about life with others. Sammie is eagerly looking forward to pursing a year of community and ministry with the House of Brigid!

Morgan Foley

Morgan will be a 2021 graduate from the University of Notre Dame, where she studied Neuroscience and Behavior on the pre-med track. While at Notre Dame, she was privileged to serve as a Resident Assistant in her dorm, Pasquerilla West Hall, serving as a pastoral leader in her community. She is looking forward to continuing the cultivation of her faith life in new ways while helping to cultivate the faith community in Dublin. With the ultimate goal of becoming a physician, Morgan is also looking forward to developing the skills needed to be an empathetic and compassionate caretaker. Outside of school, Morgan enjoys hiking, being with friends, traveling, playing the ukulele (she is a self-proclaimed ukulele expert) and talking about her time studying abroad (or showing videos she made while studying abroad). As a Dublin Domer, she is particularly looking forward to returning to her home away from the Golden Dome for more Butler’s hot chocolate, Queen of Tarts scones, and Jameson and gingers! 

Teach Bhríde Wexford

Emma Beaudoin – House Director

Emma is overjoyed to be returning to Teach Bhríde as Wexford House Director! She is excited to continue to serve the Clonard Parish community that she has grown to love over the last year. Emma is originally from Berkley, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, and is the oldest of three. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana in 2020 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in History. She also studied abroad at Maynooth University in the spring of 2018. While at Saint Mary’s, Emma was part of the Notre Dame Folk Choir, and has been singing in choirs since she was nine years old. In her free time, she loves to listen to music, read, travel, take walks, and have deep conversations about life with her friends. Emma is looking forward to another wonderful year of growing in her faith and living in intentional community in Wexford!

Matt Davis

Matt is very excited to be coming back to Ireland for his second year with the Teach Bhríde community and his first with Wexford at the Clonard Parish. He graduated from Boston College in 2020 where he studied Political Science with minors in Biology, Medical Humanities, and Managing for Social Impact. He grew up along the Jersey Shore with his parents, two older sisters, and dog, Toby. At BC, Matt was a member and instrumentalist for the Liturgy Arts Group, playing guitar, ukulele, rhythm, and singing for the group, as well as the musical director for the BC HandBells Choir, musical facilitator for the Taizé Prayer services, and Student Director of the Jenks Leadership Program. In his free time, Matt loves playing board games, reading books, watching the Mets, petting dogs, and obsessing over Big Brother and Survivor. He has learned a lot and made countless memories in his time in Dublin, and is excited to continue growing, learning, and giving to the world of Irish culture, music and youth ministry, and the Teach Bhríde community.

Shannon Daley

Shannon will be graduating from the University of Notre Dame in May with a major in Neuroscience and Behavior and a minor in Musical Theatre in hopes that someday, when she’s a doctor, she’ll get the opportunity to break out in song while wearing her hospital scrubs. She was born and raised in Lima, Ohio and is overjoyed to be exploring her Irish heritage while serving Clonard Parish in Wexford. Back on campus, Shannon sings as a member of the Folk Choir and co-hosts a radio show on the university station, WVFI. She also performs in departmental and student-run musicals, and most recently, choreographed the spring musical, An Old Family Recipe. Shannon’s ministry experience at Notre Dame includes teaching catechism classes to local first-grade students and serving as a Music Mentor then a Master Mentor with Notre Dame Vision. “Go Irish!” will be taking on a whole new meaning for Shannon this fall.

Emily Tigges

Emily has had a passion for music and teaching her whole life. Combine this with a deep love for the Catholic faith encouraged by loving parents who live in her hometown of Dubuque, Iowa, and it is no wonder that Emily is completing a major in Music Education and a minor in Catholic Studies. Emily will graduate from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and she will stay in the twin cities for a second summer of Totus Tuus before setting off to Ireland. Emily’s older sister, Elizabeth, shares in her heart for evangelization as a FOCUS missionary at Lindenwood University in Missouri. Emily and her younger sister, Rebecca, would lead music for weekend Masses at their home parish by cantoring, accompanying, and playing instruments together. Emily plans on bringing her flute and ukulele with her to Wexford, and she hopes to find another instrument there to learn in her spare time.