As many of you know, I've spent the past 6 years traveling with our students to Nicaragua over Winter Break.  What you probably don’t know is that I've also had an itch to try something new!  

It is with great JOY that we are sending two teams of students on mission this Winter Break. We have 10 students and staff from the Sheil Center traveling to Haiti, and a team of 13 students traveling to Nicaragua.

While leading the Nicaragua trip would seem like the logical choice, my heart is set on some new, unknown adventure.  I’m going to Haiti because this is where God wants me this year. I don’t know what to expect, but I know what it is like to stand on the threshold of something new, unsure of where the road in front of me will lead, yet absolutely certainty that God’s work is being done. 

I need your help in making this happen!  I ask you to join me in prayer – for the courage to follow God’s plan every step of the way, for openness to new people and new experiences, and for the wisdom to discern what God is asking of us there.  We know that we will be visiting several parishes and communities and working on some light construction. We are also hoping to make connections for future projects. 

Although the Sheil Center generously covers the cost of staff, it is always my goal to fundraise my own expenses.  Anything you can give – $10, $50, $100 – would be greatly appreciated. 

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us this Winter Break!  I look forward to your prayers and to sharing the graces of this experience with you.  Know that I hold you close in my prayers, too.  Thank-you for being a partner in this important work.