Today is the day!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Judith Gardiner

Making sure all the technology works!

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Hitting the road

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Judith Gardiner

Before I head to Ireland my husband and I are going to spend some time driving around our little corner of the world – south east Queensland, visiting our children and little outnof the way places. It will be a chance to have some quiet time.

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Getting Ready

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Judith Gardiner

Today is my last day in the office before I take leave. I don’t fly to Dublin until Monday, but thought it would be good to take a few days of quiet before Easter, spending some time with my husband and family. 

My travel to Ireland takes the form of a pilgrimage – a journey back to the source of the Sisters of Mercy who responded to the needs of their time – who assisted the poor and disadvantaged, who traveled across the world to new lands to bring hope to those who had left Ireland in the hope of finding a better life. 

Many of the emigrants from Ireland in the 1800s left because of poverty, famine, religious persecution and political unrest. All had a hope that the new land of their choice would yield wealth in exchange for hard work, religious freedom and democracy. This is what my ancestors brought with them from Ireland. 

So my quest on this pilgrimage is to learn more about the Ireland they left, more about the courage and bravery of those who worked tirelessly with the poor and wretched in Ireland to give them hope and comfort. 

My blog then will comment on my experiences and insights. It will be a journey about others’ lives, but also my own journey of understanding. 

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Hello world!

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Judith Gardiner

I plan to leave Brisbane on Monday 9 April. I fly from Brisbane to Singapore, then on to Frankfurt and then to Dublin.

It is a long journey – about 28 hours if there are no delays. I am travelling alone, and that is making me a bit anxious – I’ve not travelled internationally alone. But I’m sure I’ll be fine.

I will be in Ireland from 10 April to 27 April. Most of this time will be spent at Mercy International – the home of the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland, a place where people come from all over the world to learn about the Sisters of Mercy and the ongoing work they do in the world.

 

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