Judi Griggs-Dennis shares her volunteer experience at Mercy International Centre

We said goodbye today to Judi Griggs-Dennis who has been volunteering with us in Mercy International Centre for the past eight weeks. Judi is from the suburbs of Detroit in Michigan. She is pictured here in front of our famous red doors at 64a Baggot Street in Dublin with our CEO Sr. Patricia O'Donovan rsm and our Head of Heritage and Spirituality, Sr Margaret Daly rsm.

We asked Judi to share some of her experiences with us before she departed:

What has been the highlight of your time here at MIC?

It’s something really simple – the fact that I have been living in Catherine McAuley’s House of Mercy. But also being able to go to the chapel and the room were Catherine died. What a beautiful space to be able to just sit and be.

Did you meet visitors and pilgrims from across the Mercy World?

Mercy International Centre is busy and there was always a group from Ireland or elsewhere in the Mercy World. I was happy to be volunteering during the Mercy Healthcare US and Mercy Education US visits. I was also happy to be here to support the group of Sisters that took their final vows this year. We also had some wonderful groups of young people and diocesan groups from Australia during my time here.

What are the highlights of the spaces and places that you visited while you were here in Dublin?

I saw lots of Dublin while I was here. St Stephen’s Green is beautiful and also Howth to the North of the City. The canal walks and the beautiful Georgian architecture close to MIC are also really lovely.

I was very lucky to spend some time out in Coolock where Catherine herself lived. That’s full of wonderful memories and it really meant a lot to be able to visit there.

I also got to go to the Hill of Tara and Newgrange and to Glendalough. These are wonderful. Glendalough is a special place. I sat by the lake and walked through the old monastic site.

The Irish coastal towns of Bray and Dun Laoghaire were stunning as well.

I really wanted to get to Cork and Kildare during this visit but it’s on my list for the next time.

How did you cope with the famous Irish weather?

Well even though I was here for much of the Summer months, the weather felt like Autumn or Fall as we call it back home. But, we did have some really magnificent sunny days too. It was perfect.

Did you learn any of the Irish language?

I learned some of the everyday language and isms! I now know that a lift means an elevator. I also know that half four means 4.30 (timewise).

I learned just the one word from the Irish language – grá, which means love. I guess it’s not a bad word to have learned.

Would you recommend volunteering here at Catherine’s House?

Absolutely I would recommend it. To live where Catherine lived. To be able to volunteer in the spaces where so many others have done so before. To be able to do my part to make sure that those coming to MIC were made to feel welcome and were comfortable while they were here. It was a joy.

I will be back to volunteer – in fact, I am on the roster for 2025!

As you head home to the US what will be the one lasting memory that you will take with you?

Being in Baggot Street for Mercy Day 2024 was the highlight of everything I experienced while I was here. To be with the Sisters and the staff of MIC for the Mercy Day Eucharist was just so wonderful. I really can’t put into words what it meant to me.

I also really enjoyed many 'good cups of tea' that were shared with me while I was here in Catherine’s House.

Thanks Judi from all of us in Mercy International Centre. We have loved having you as a volunteer.

*If you would like to find out more about volunteering with us, **please email us here. *