Sharyl Stommes

Hello! Sharyl here! I am so happy to share with you how blessed and grateful I am to be a missionary here for a second year in Pittsburgh with Gift of Mary with my beautiful fellow missionaries. I am 24 years old, was born and raised in the beautiful state of Washington, grew up with seven other fun and loving siblings, 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 wild 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 in the setting of a drop-in center. It was an answered prayer - I was instantly hooked! 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, whether the high's in their daily triumphs, or lows of 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. He is also present within myself - I am His hands and feet, and I am to make it known to the women seeking rest and refuge that “He is here.” We are here to alleviate the great suffering of loneliness. It is through these encounters where dignity is restored, openness to healing is made, and an authentic, loving relationship is formed. I am beyond excited to be able to share this incredible gift of serving God’s beloved poor with others as we host mission trips!

Please pray for us here at Gift of Mary: a nonprofit devoted to serving homeless women in downtown Pittsburgh and lead impactful mission trips. Through practical care, community-building, and spiritual accompaniment, we walk alongside those in need and invite others to join us in this work of mercy. 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 Stommes