Comms Crew share their experiences of the Young Mercy Leaders Pilgrimage in Dublin

The Young Mercy Leaders Pilgrimage took place in Dublin from 1st to 4th July 2025. Students and their chaperones arrived to Mercy INternational Centre, Dublin from Ireland, US and Belize.

You can read the daily reports on our website and check out some of our video on our social media channels.

YML Comms Crew

This year's pilgrimage saw six students take on the role of reporting on and capturing the event as part of the YML Comms Crew.

The Comms Crew comprised:

• Allison Schroeder and Laina Buella from Gwynedd Mercy in the US
• Zoe Larkin and Ella Rose Cathcart from Mercy Coolock, Dublin
• Zazil Marin and Samiya Matus from Saint Catherine's Academy in Belize.

The Comms Crew Members were presented with individual certificates of recognition as part of the final day of the pilgrimage.

You can read some of their diary entries and watch their video content here:

Laina Buella Diary Day One

Us Gwynedd Mercy girls arrived in Dublin at 8:30am. That morning, we quickly made it to the Mercy International Centre! We were warmly welcomed with some tea and coffee, and we were so excited to meet other mercy girls from Ireland and Belize. We learned more about Catherine’s life in the heritage room, and we discovered more about her leadership qualities throughout the day. We are so excited to discover more of the Mercy International Centre tomorrow!

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Allie Schroeder Journal Entry Day One

We hopped right off our red eye flight and came straight to the conference from our hotel. I was blown away at how welcomed everybody at the house made us feel. I have never experienced so much kindness and pure mercy! We got a special tour of the house and learned so much about Catherine's amazing life and mission. We then had a delicious lunch and headed to the International room where we made so many friends with girls from Ireland and Belize. We finished off the day with a beautiful song and prayer with the whole group. It was a truly amazing day filled with lots of blessings!

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Day 1 Diary Entry by Zazil Marin

Day one of the pilgrimage was definitely a way to start off with a bang! As delegations from three different countries around the world gathered to learn about the legacy of Catherine McAuley and Mercy Education, it finally set in that we are in Ireland forming the Circle of Mercy.

The delegation from Belize, my delegation, had to catch two flights, flying for roughly eleven and a half hours. After the long and tiring journey, we were all filled with excitement for the coming days. We came here hoping to deepen our relationship with God and learn more about the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.

We eagerly woke up bright and early, got ready, made ourselves a quick breakfast, and then began the walk to the Mercy International Centre. The walk was peaceful and gave us time to reflect on the blessing of being able to be in Catherine’s home – the home built on mercy and for mercy.

Once we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the facilitators. We engaged in prayer that quickly got us on track and into a suitable headspace to participate in the pilgrimage. We were moved by the works of Catherine McAuley and inspired to make a difference in our community. At the end of  the day’s activities, we walked back and had dinner together, which was a lovely way to wind down and bond with one another.

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Day 1 Diary Entry by Samiya Matus

I am a student from Saint Catherine Academy in Belize, Central America. To be honest, I was a bit nervous about this experience, as I had never traveled so far away from home. However, I was relieved that the flight was safe and comfortable. The views in Ireland are absolutely stunning, and although I’m not yet used to the weather, I am thoroughly enjoying the change in scenery.

Coming into this conference, I had high expectations. I hoped to gain a deeper understanding of Catherine McAuley and to learn aspects of her story that I had not previously known. My first day here exceeded my expectations. Everyone has been incredibly kind and welcoming. The hospitality at the Mercy International Centre is exceptional, and each event has been thoughtfully designed to be intimate and meaningful. This has allowed for a deeper understanding and appreciation of everything being shared.

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Day 3 diary entry by Zazil Marin

On the morning of July third, Mercy students from around the world gathered in the International Room at the Mercy International Centre for a session titled “What Will You Do With Your One Wild and Precious Life?”

The session began with a reading of the poem “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver, followed by a reflection on the literary work. After some analysis, I concluded that the poem speaks about living your life to the fullest because you only get one.

The question that followed was, “How will you show up in the world? How will you spend your life?” The Mercy girls then shared their aspirations. It was an inspirational experience to listen to the hopes and dreams of the girls present; each one wanting to live their life to the fullest by glorifying God through their actions. We also discussed the life of Catherine McAuley and those who inspired her to live fully and with purpose. This led us to reflect on who or what pushes us to live life to the fullest. This reflection helped us become more aware of the people and values that inspire us to lead lives of service, and reminded us that living with intention brings true joy.

Later, we participated in a fun yet challenging activity called Connect the Dots. Each worksheet had over 300 dots, making the task quite difficult. It was explained that the activity served as a metaphor for life: we can never fully know what lies ahead, nor can we predict the highs and lows. However, what we do know is that if we keep moving forward, connecting each part of our journey, we’ll eventually create a beautiful picture shaped by our struggles, hardships, and acts of love. We then wrapped up and those who completed their worksheet first won some very cool prizes from Sister Terry. Overall, this session was a great way of beginning the day by being educational, fun, and requiring us to think and adapt to challenges and obstacles we face in life.

Day 3 Diary by Samiya Matus 
Sr. Terry’s  presentation was truly inspiring. She challenged us to think critically about ourselves,our strengths, our weaknesses, and the qualities that define who we are. One of the most powerful messages she shared was the importance of making the most out of our lives, even in the smallest of actions. She reminded us that even when it feels like we are not making a big difference, every small act of kindness, appreciation, and goodness matters. Her words further encouraged us to value our time and to use it meaningfully, turning even the simplest moments into opportunities to create a great and positive change.

We were invited to reflect on the people in our lives who support and encourage us. As Mercians, we believe that mercy flows through each of us, and Sr. Terry connected this belief to our personal experiences. She gave us a sheet of paper and asked us to write down the names of those who push us toward greatness. This simple but heartfelt activity made me realize how deeply I am shaped by the people closest to me. Their love, support, and guidance have helped me become who I am today, that is a true Mercian witness with a good heart, sincere intentions, and a passion for doing what is right.

Lastly, Sr.Terry  used an adult “connect-the-dots” puzzle as a metaphor for life. She explained that as we grow older, life becomes more complex and the challenges we face become greater. Yet, even in the face of difficulties, there is always a way forward. Her message reminded us that when we feel like giving up, we are never truly alone. The people around us and the presence of the Holy Spirit are there to guide us and help us persevere. Her words gave me a renewed sense of hope and purpose, encouraging me to trust in the journey and remain faithful through life’s ups and downs.

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We hope to have more diary entries once the YML Comms Crew members have had a chance to unpack when they get home.

A huge thanks from all of us for being our inaugural YML Comms Crew!