Standing in front of the iconic red doors at Mercy International Centre in Dublin are New Zealanders Judy Hindrup (left) and Mary Shaw. The pair, who worked together for many years at Atawhai Mercy Assisi Home and Hospital in Hamilton, where Judy was CEO and Mary in charge of food services, are spending eight weeks as volunteers at Baggot Street.

“At the door we’ve often had young males ringing the bell, asking for a cuppa and sandwiches,” says Judy. “But this morning we began a four-day programme for a pilgrimage of nearly 70 young Mercy leaders, accompanied by 14 university staff and other adults.” Judy is glad to be back at Baggot Street which she first visited on a Mercy pilgrimage in 2002. “To return in this Year of Mercy, as Ireland marks the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, makes our travel extra special,” says Judy.