I have been a spokesperson for Operation Smile for twenty years helping children with facial deformities. I also have worked with a children’s mission called Compassion International. Both are doing amazing work for the children of the world.
I grew up in Ireland, and the ocean was never more than an arm’s length away. As lovely as the mountains are and as friendly as the people of Utah are, I feel a bit landlocked here.
People are hungry for stories of faith. People are hungry for hope.
Between stimulus and response, there is a space, and when you take time to pray or make a cuppa, you don’t have to live in reaction to a situation.
I think Operation Smile is in more than 22 countries, mostly Third World. It just happened that my schedule opened up at the time they were heading to Vietnam.
If I can steal away and read something other than what I have to for my work, it’s restorative.
I was reading through endless junk scripts that were being sent my way. Typically the roles were to play his wife or his girlfriend – leading roles for women were few and far between.
I’m the youngest of six children; both of my sisters are housewives and they each have four kids.
I also know how to ask people for money and I have no shame about doing that.
Jessica Simpson is the youth ambassador for Operation Smile, and an episode of The Apprentice featured a team managing a charity concert she put on. Donald Trump came on stage and pledged a donation.
Having played an angel for so long, you can imagine that I’ve been asked to endorse any number of causes over the years. Obviously I have to limit my participation with any charity, so I decided to really concentrate on my love of children.
I lost my mother when I was very young, and my father when I was in college.
I love to be by the ocean and have always done my best thinking by the sea. The ebb and flow is like a brain massage and very calming. I am also inspired by seeing kindness in others. It touches me and reminds me to be kind as well.
I have a home in Salt Lake, and I have a home in Malibu, at the beach.
Catholics Come Home inspires each of us to share God’s love with others, in order to help change the world for the better, for eternity!
What is free time? I’m a single mother. My free moments are filled with loving my little girl.
It is tradition in Ireland that you’re given money for your first communion.
I have the soul of a singer and do splendidly in the shower but the world will never hear it. Basically, I’m the only Irish person who can’t carry a tune.
A smile costs about $240.
I pray. I try to find space to process with a walk on the beach, a hike in the hills. Nature is restorative. I also try not to overreact. I grew up in Ireland, and we are big tea drinkers, and I think it’s less about the tea itself and more about the ritual and the moment to prepare.