As this year of service with the House of Brigid comes to a close, I find myself holding so many moments close to my heart—moments of prayer, laughter, growth, vulnerability, and grace. Dublin has become a sacred space for me—not just because of its beauty or culture—but because of the people I’ve come to love, the ministry I’ve been entrusted with, and the God I’ve encountered in entirely new ways.
When I first arrived, I was wide-eyed with hope and nervousness, unsure how I would fit into the rhythm of Irish parish life or what it meant to be a lay minister in a foreign place. But over the months, I’ve come to see that ministry often looks like quiet consistency. Like pouring tea after Mass. Like singing music with a heart full of joy. Like being fully present to someone in pain or simply sharing in everyday life with others seeking Christ.
One of the greatest lessons this year has taught me is that grace doesn’t always come in grand revelations. Sometimes it comes in ordinary conversations, in shared meals, or in walking someone to the bus stop on a rainy evening. It comes in moments: the ones that feel warm and steady, even if small.
These reflections became the foundation of a devotional I wrote this year called Hearth of Grace which I’m so grateful to share with you. It’s a collection of prayers and personal meditations written during this transformative year in Ireland. My hope is that Hearth of Grace offers a companion for those navigating seasons of change, service, faith, and calling, especially while living in community.
You can find it now on all Amazon marketplaces, and I would be honored if you gave it a read, shared it with someone in ministry, or gifted it to someone discerning their next step.
As I prepare to leave Dublin and this House I’ve called home, I do so with immense gratitude—for the ways I’ve been stretched and the people who’ve walked with me.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for believing in the quiet power of presence, prayer, and community. May you find your own hearth of grace wherever this next chapter takes you.
