Mags Gargan“Faith has a huge part in my life” – Derry Rose
Prayer and faith plays an important role in the lives of some of the hopefuls taking part in this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival this weekend.
The Derry Rose, Eiméar Anderson (20) is studying in St Mary’s University College, Belfast and hopes to be a RE teacher. “Faith has a huge part in my life, but it was not until university that I realised how much I needed it,” she told The Irish Catholic. “It influences my outlook and I have a huge belief in Gods’ plan which gives me the strength to take good days and bad days.”
Eiméar said her chosen charity, the Michaela Foundation, which was set up in memory of former Ulster Rose Michaela McAreavey, is “very close to my heart”. She volunteers as a leader in their summer camps and was chosen by the charity for the student award scheme where she wrote a monthly blog for them about faith.
Lourdes
The Meath Rose Elysha Brennan (22), from Bettystown, has recently returned from Lourdes where she volunteered assisting sick pilgrims at the baths. “I have a great faith and I wanted to give something back and to give thanks,” she said. Elysha, who is a medical student in the Royal College of Surgeons, is over two years in cancer remission. When she was first diagnosed her mother began a novena to St Therese of Lisieux, symbolised by a rose, and this inspired Elysha to put the Rose of Tralee on her to do list for when she got better.
Felix Ross, a rugby enthusiast and housemaster for first and second year students in Glenstal Abbey School, is returning for a second year as a Rose escort. He said he loves working with the Benedictine community who are “very welcoming and supporting” and he hopes tovolunteer in Kenya in a project organised with Fr John O’Callaghan OSB. Felixsaid the “nicest thing being involved” in the Rose of Tralee is “meeting outgoing people” and “making friends for life”.