Dear God,

Thank you for my wonderful family, my supportive and faithful friends, and for all of these youth that have you brought into my life. God, thank you also for those who you have brought into my life this summer. You are doing amazing things in my life, and I just praise you and thank you for the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland this year. Please bless this journey. I ask for your continued peace, and I fully trust in you.  Give me the strength of humility. Amen

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”—Mother Teresa

Cloudy Meadows

I sit. 

In a comfortable position overlooking the water.

I am in silence.

I reflect.

I wait.

I relax.

A joy enters my heart.

It is like a rush of overflowing water.

The veins in my body, seep through the hairs on my arms.

I see the face of God through the reflection of the water, and the rays of the sun.

God is telling me to listen. To listen to the cries of someone that I love. 

I hear the cry of my friend, who is far away.

She is in pain. What can I do?

I take out my rosary and pray.

I open up my bible and read scripture.

I help her to fight away the evil one, who is transforming her mind.

I know that she will be okay.

Not because I talked to her directly.

Not because she told me that she was fine.

Not because she told me what has going on in her life.

But because the power of prayer, is the ultimate masterpiece of love.

Because through prayer, one has a inner strength that is often unknown to the human heart.

God filled my heart with peace, knowing that she would be okay.

I thank Him.

—By: Monica Murphy

Five Star

Five Star—Standing With Youth

     Be a Voice for Hope

            A leader is not meant for tomorrow, rather for today. My dream is to inspire youth to become ambitious thinkers and courageous leaders. It is powerful to see a young person’s life transformed into something beautiful. I see in every young person in our community the capability to reach their greatest potential in life. I, Monica Murphy, am a Saint Mary’s College student, who chooses to stand with Five Star students. This dream that many have is coming true because of Five Star.

             Five Star is a program that offers students hope in order to break the cycle of violence and to decrease the grade school drop out rates. Five Star was founded in 2005. Five Star emphasizes leadership development, focusing on sixth through twelfth grade students in area public schools. We are currently working with 1,000 students and turned away about 600 this year alone. In total, we have impacted more than 3,000 students. We currently serve 13 schools in 8 Michiana school districts. Students are provided the opportunity to connect with loving adult relationships and to live the five core values of Five Star—Courage, Respect, Integrity, Responsibility and Sacrifice.           

            It takes one person—you—to change a student’s life. Many of these students are beginning to realize their incredible potential. I have seen student’s grades, attitudes and relationships improve. In addition, their love for life is evident through their daily actions and choices. These students are inspiring champions who thrive to live a Five Star life. All that these students need is love, friendship, and encouragement.

      By: Monica Murphy

Faithful Friends

"Faithful friends…

Believe in each other.

Bring out the best in each other.

Celebrate the victories.

Comfort each other during

the difficult times.

Tell the truth no matter what.

Insist on growth.

Bring honor to God."

"Be Brave.
Have Courage.
Acknowledge your faults.
Love with every pint of your might."

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

I am a writer. I speak from the heart. I use my voice. 

Check out my featured articles in various newspapers and magazines.

some of my favorite quotes

* “Refuse to be offended.”-Seth Maust

* “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” -Mother Teresa

* "Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” -Mother Teresa

"Faith is like electricity. You can’t see it, but you can see the light."