Gift of Mary - A HEALING PLACE FOR VULNERABLE WOMEN
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What is Gift of Mary?
Regina Coeli Parish welcomes the GIFT OF MARY missionaries, Hope, Clara and Sharyl. The missionaries are living in the convent on the Assumption campus in Bellevue and are working downtown at Divine Mercy Parish.
Visit https://www.giftofmary.org/ to learn more.
The missionaries are here to help vulnerable women rediscover their inherent dignity by giving them safe shelter, reliable resources, and a trusting team to walk with as they seek healing and freedom from violence and exploitation.
Below are brief bios of each of the missionaries so that you may know a little bit about these wonderful woman and support them in their generous efforts in serving those in need.
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Meet the Missionaries
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Clara Stephenson,Mission Integration Coordinator
My name is Clara, and I’m from Aliquippa, PA. I graduated from Franciscan University in May 2023 with a degree in Theology. During my time at Franciscan, I had the incredible opportunity to go on mission and serve the homeless community in Los Angeles, specifically in places like Skid Row, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Hollywood Blvd. It was there, in the heart of such profound poverty, that I truly experienced Christ’s love through the poor. A phrase I often heard during my time in LA was F.A.M.I.L.Y. – Forget About Me, I Love You—a simple acronym that sums up the Gospel. This selfless love resonated deeply with me, and I knew then that I wanted to continue finding myself by giving of myself to others.
After graduating, I felt called to do ministry, which led me to Gift of Mary. I spent a year as a missionary here and was then invited to serve as the Mission Integration Coordinator. With my new role, I oversee our Women’s Day Center and Missionary Program. I’ve been blessed with two lovely missionaries whose hearts reflect the Father’s love in everything they do. Their kindness and devotion have been an inspiration, and I’m excited to see what God has in store for us this year. The F.A.M.I.L.Y. acronym still holds true for me, reminding me daily to put others before myself and live out the Gospel with love and humility.
Please keep us and our mission in your prayers! It has been such a joy to meet some of you already, and we look forward to meeting many more of you in the months ahead.
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Sharyl Stommes,Missionary
Hello! Sharyl here! I am 23 years old and beyond blessed & grateful to be a missionary here in Pittsburgh with Gift of Mary! I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Washington, grew up with seven other fun & loving siblings, am a proud ambassador for the perks of homeschooling, and have always dreamed of being a missionary. The Lord has not disappointed me in fulfilling that dream! Before coming here to Pittsburgh I was a missionary in Atlantic City, New Jersey (what a place!), with the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (CFR Sisters), where we served the poor and the youth. It was there that I heard about Gift of Mary and its beautiful mission to serve vulnerable women through a ministry of a loving presence. It has been a blessing and a privilege to be able to love these women in such seemingly small ways, but in ways that allow me to encounter them individually, and very personally. It is an honor to have these women allow me to love them in matters so “close” to them: their laundry, showering, cutting their hair, and receiving all they share on their hearts of the abuse and violation they have experienced or are experiencing. My hope and prayer is that these women at Gift of Mary are able to truly experience our Heavenly Father’s love through an unconditional, consistent, and gentle love in my role as a missionary. What continues to impact me the most about the day center are the words that I am greeted by everyday on the wall, “He is here…”. This is the foundation, motivation, and daily invitation I receive from our loving Lord in this ministry. He is present in His beloved poor, in their crosses and in their triumphs, and I am to attend to Him in them daily, in the moment, without delay. He is also present within myself, I am His hands and feet to love and serve with, and I am to make it known to the women seeking rest and refuge that “He is here.” He is here!
Please pray for us here at Gift of Mary! I am truly so grateful for you who support us, pray for us, volunteer with us, and accompany us in this mission! Be assured of my prayers for you, that you may be blessed by God’s loving, constant presence! (:
With joy,
Sharyl
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Hope Graham ,Missionary
Hi! :) My name is Hope Graham, and I am one of the new missionaries for Gift of Mary. I'm originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, but I heard about Gift of Mary while I was still a student at Franciscan University (I just graduated in May). A former missionary came to give a talk on the poverty of GOD & serving the poor, and it was one of the best talks I had ever heard...The rest is history! :) It is truly such an honor to be a little part of this beautiful mission, so close to the heart of the Father. It has already been an incredible blessing to serve Christ in these precious women.
Back home, I have two brothers, and a beloved Christian/Protestant family. I myself am the only Catholic currently (I went through a conversion in high school and entered the Church in June of 2020), so it has been such a blessing to first study theology at Franciscan and then to begin such a thoroughly Catholic mission year. But please do keep us all in your prayers!
Finally, I want to sincerely thank you all so much for your kindness & hospitality; it has been a true gift to be welcomed here. I hope to meet you all soon! +JMJ
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