Five New Missionaries for 24-25

This year’s Mercy Missionaries are a special group.  Already in the weeks of training, they showed a great openness to whatever the Lord is asking of them and to one another.  They are good-natured, joyful, willing to serve, and attentive to other’s needs.  Here’s a brief introduction to each one. 

Before coming into the missionary year, Michael Ivezic was working as a commercial diver, doing heavy marine construction.  Michael said yes to the Mercy Missionary year because he experienced the invitation to do the year as a calling from God.  “I think God called me here,” he said.  “I think God wants to form me in ways I could never form myself.”  Michael has a great desire to do what God wants, and is always seeking to do the right thing.  He enjoys learning about things, and has a lot of knowledge about the faith and many other things, which he loves sharing with others.  He is talkative and friendly, and has an opinion about most topics, and a strong charism of service. 

He looks forward to how the missionary year will help him grow in his capacity to love others more, and has a great desire to help the city of Portland, which is where he grew up.  During training, he experienced a growth in prayer and appreciated the genuineness and openness of his fellow Mercy Missionaries.

Lillianna Chavez was working in real estate before beginning the Mercy Missionary year, and spent the last year involved in the PDX Newman Center and helping with San Juan Diego Youth.  She was quick to apply for the Mercy Missionary year because she saw that through it, she could connect all the things she’s been wanting to do: learn theology, grow spiritually, heal, and serve others.  Lillianna is eager to see the fruits of her “yes.” 

Lillianna is a young woman of deep compassion, always trying to see things from the other person’s perspective.  “I try to see everyone as God does, with love and dignity and to love people as they are,” she said.  One of the highlights for her from the training has been getting to know her fellow MMs.

A year or so ago, Gabe Munzel was one of the construction workers replacing the cross on the roof of the St. Michael’s bell tower, a project that brought him back to the Church.  He said yes to the missionary year because, “I think I need to get closer to God,” he said, and he wants to heal through helping others heal.  He is looking forward to connecting more deeply with the St. Michael’s community and being able to see things through the perspective of those living on the streets.

The youngest of this year’s missionaries (one month younger than Lillianna), Gabe brings a good sense of humor and profound sincerity to the MM community.  In addition to a capacity to see others very deeply, Gabe has hidden artistic talents, especially for painting and poetry, and enjoys weightlifting and mixed martial arts.

When Lindsay Nelson was invited to consider this missionary year, she said yes without any hesitation.  “I had come to a deeper conversion and felt convicted to go all in,” Lindsay said.  “Saying yes to this year felt like the deepest way I could say yes to God at this moment in my life.”  She is most looking forward to living a life centered on prayer, where everything “unfolds” from her relationship with God.  The growing relationship with her fellow MMs also has her excited about what the year will hold in store.

Prior to becoming a Mercy Missionary, Lindsay was working as a licensed massage therapist, and among her hidden talents are a gift for writing.  She is a peaceful presence in the group and regularly expresses her appreciation of others.

Prior to this missionary year, Nicole Scott was working as a nurse at Randall Children’s Hospital, and will be continuing her studies to become a nurse practitioner as she embarks on this Mercy Missionary year.  “I am doing this year in order to honor the Lord and be obedient to his calling on my life,” she said.  With a large and open heart for others, Nicole is eager to bring the love of God that she’s experienced to those living on the streets. 

She found training to be both a lot of hard work and a blessing because of the sense of community, and looks forward to seeing how the Lord will use the Mercy Missionaries in the lives of those living on the streets.  Nicole is a gentle leader who claims not to have any hidden talents.  “I wear my heart on my sleeve and am excited to share that with everyone I meet!”    

Sister Teresa Harrell