Moreau First Year Experience 

Capstone Integration 

29 April 2022 

My Mission Mapped Out 

Mission Statement:  

I want to use my ambitious, compassionate, loyal, and dependable values to not only serve 

others, but to also inspire and empower others to do the same, so that the effect is exponential. 

I want to pass it on, not just to one person, but to the next generation. Because I value 

collaboration, compassion, and commitment, I want to be part of a community who works 

hard, works together, and works for others. I want to actively listen and engage with others to 

gain insight and understand other people’s perspectives, experiences, and struggles. To do 

this, I must be self-aware of not only myself and my motives, but also the people, environment, 

and information I expose myself to. I want to be part of a community who stand ups for their 

beliefs and encourages others to do the same and who takes accountability for the impact of 

their actions. I want to be dedicated to leading and mentoring others, but also dedicated to 

taking opportunities and time for myself. All in all, forging and maintain relationships that 

are built on trust, love, and respect is something I believe is essential to my mission. Authentic, 

strong relationships are an indicator of a life well-lived, and if I exhibit my truest values, I can 

build friendships and connections with people who are both similar and different from me.  

 

- I want to use my ambitious, compassionate, loyal, and dependable values to not only 

serve others, but to also inspire and empower others to do the same, so that the effect is 

exponential. I want to pass it on, not just to one person, but to the next generation. 

 

As one Grotto video we watched this semester mentioned, it is important to “focus on what we 

can do for others” ( "Five Minutes" by Aria Swarr on Grotto – Moreau Week 6), and while I 

think this part of my mission statement will be observed more later in life, I think there are ways 

I can start living it out today by building a good foundation. I think another important aspect of 

this part of my mission statement is the empowering part. Rather than trying to “be the voice of 

the voiceless,” it is about creating a space where people “who have no voice today will have 

voice and will be heard” and will feel empowered to do so ( "Teaching Accompaniment: A 

Learning Journey Together” by Professor Steve Reifenberg– Moreau Week 9). One way I can 

inspire and empower others around me in the next three years is to focus on and do the ‘little 

things.’ For example, taking time out of my day to help a friend who is stressed for an exam or to 

https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit


clean up trash I see outside and in buildings are both small acts that can inspire others around me 

to do the same. First semester, in my Principles of Management class, my professor would 

randomly assign us to do an act of kindness instead of reading the textbook or doing homework. 

I want to implement this more in my everyday life. I think it is also important to try to include 

those around me, such as my friends and dormmates, so that the effect is widespread.  

 

- Because I value collaboration, compassion, and commitment, I want to be part of a 

community who works hard, works together, and works for others. 

 

This part of my mission statement will be animated in my next three years at Notre Dame 

mostly through club experiences. Next year, I specifically want to get involved with 

volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, which I think is a perfect example of a community 

who fulfills these attributes. Another club I am part of this year that I want to continue to 

participate in and even become a leader in is Students Consulting for Nonprofits. This club 

also is a great example of a community that collaborates to create recommendations to help 

and support others. Additionally, I am applying to become a leader of a committee in my 

dorm, which I think is also a great place to work together with others to create a welcoming 

community not only within the dorm, but also throughout the whole campus. Something I 

want to improve with my mindset in these clubs is shifting the focus towards 

“accompaniment,” which is about changing from “how do we help them” to “we’re in this 

together” ("Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Professor Steve 

Reifenberg – Moreau Week 9). I want to expand the general idea of service to joining 

together with the people we are helping, rather than just serving them and moving on.  

 

- I want to actively listen and engage with others to gain insight and understand other 

people’s perspectives, experiences, and struggles. To do this, I must be self-aware of 

not only myself and my motives, but also the people, environment, and information I 

expose myself to. I want to be part of a community who stand ups for their beliefs and 

encourages others to do the same and who takes accountability for the impact of their 

actions. 

 

This part of my mission statement starts at an individual level. I cannot expect to be a part of a 

community or expect others to act in a certain way if I do not do it first. These two statements go 

together because to stand up for my beliefs and take accountability for my actions, I think I first 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit


need to understand and learn about other people’s struggles, experiences, and viewpoints. To do 

this, I must make “a conscious decision and effort to expand [my] circle” and to “get to know 

people who differ from [me]” ("I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do 

something." by Dean G. Marcus Cole – Moreau Week 12). Additionally, it is important to not 

get “trapped in feedback loops” and to make sure the “picture of our opponents is accurate and 

well-thought-out” ("Big Questions 2, Part 4: How to Avoid an Echo Chamber" by Dr. Paul 

Blaschko at ThinkND – Moreau Week 11). I want to personally and as a community do a better 

job at not only listening and respecting our opponent’s views but also understanding and 

representing it correctly. In the next three years, I can animate this part of my mission statement 

by going to discussions, presentations, or gatherings that represent and discuss important social 

issues and represent viewpoints different from mine. I can push myself to get to know people 

from different backgrounds and try to meet as many new people as possible. Finally, I must also 

be self-aware of not only myself, my biases, and my motives, but also the people, environment, 

and information I expose myself to.  

After investigating and understanding, it is then my duty to have the courage to stand up and act 

against injustices. I also must avoid the mentality of being a bystander by holding myself 

responsible every day to recognize the impact of my actions (or absence thereof). To avoid this 

mentality, I can begin “by being willing to tolerate the discomfort associated with an honest 

appraisal and discussion” ( "Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism" by Robin 

DiAngelo – Moreau Week 10).  Discussion and disagreement in a respectful way are how we 

learn and grow as individuals and as a community. However, it should not stop at discussion. In 

my next three years here, I want to make sure I am also acting in the community and not being a 

bystander to injustices. This could range from lifting up other voices to attending presentations to 

spreading awareness to donating to causes close to my heart.  

 

- I want to be dedicated to leading and mentoring others, but also dedicated to taking 

opportunities and time for myself. 

 

“There’s no point where you can say that, “I do not have to ask any more questions” ("Three Key 

Questions" by Father Michael Himes – Moreau Week 3). Something that is important to my 

mission is not going into ‘auto-pilot mode,’ which just refers to when someone is just going 

through their daily life routinely and not giving their life, purpose, or vocation any thought. I 

https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/
https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s&ab_channel=ThinkND
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bdVnfLDrJUJhd-4UtYb_kfRpcFgOoOeY7O1WT8_d3iw/edit
https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41005/files/468567?module_item_id=144085
https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41005/files/468567?module_item_id=144085


want to continually ask questions, be curious, and look for new, exciting opportunities. I want to 

make sure I put time and effort into my own life and wellbeing and that I find time to focus on 

myself and my interests. At Notre Dame, this part of my mission statement will be animated 

through trying new clubs or new hobbies. For example, next year, I want to try and join Strike 

Magazine and be a part of their business team because it is something I heard about later this 

year that I am interested in, and I think it would be a cool opportunity to combine both the 

business and creative aspects of my life. Another experience I want to do is study abroad because 

I think it would be an amazing experience that would really be for myself and my own growth 

and learning.  

 

- All in all, forging and maintain relationships that are built on trust, love, and respect is 

something I believe is essential to my mission. Authentic, strong relationships are an 

indicator of a life well-lived, and if I exhibit my truest values, I can build friendships 

and connections with people who are both similar and different from me.  

Building strong, meaningful relationships is definitely the most important part of my mission 

statement. In one of the Grotto articles, it mentions to “pay attention to the relationships where 

you know you’re loved” because that is where God can be shining through ("Growing up Gay 

and Catholic" by Jacob Walsh – Moreau Week 10). Moreover, relationships are core to our 

beings and are also a way God can show His love to us or talk to us. I think the relationships that 

I will gain and experience in these next three years at Notre Dame will be influential for the rest 

of my life. Not only the relationships with my close friends, but the relationships I build with 

peers, teachers, and others will impact my life in more ways than I will ever know. In order to 

build these authentic, strong relationships though I must assure to put effort and time into them. 

At Notre Dame, I am sure I will experience both positive and negative relationships, but I will 

have to always just put my best attitude and support forward and see who reciprocates and 

appreciates.  

 

 

In conclusion, I think my mission statement does a fairly decent job at describing how I want to 

orient my life, but it definitely will change and modify over time as I grow up and have new 

experiences. For me, it is extremely important that this mission is just not a statement, but a 

promise of action. I want to practice what I preach, and I want others to be able to see my core 

values and beliefs. Throughout my life, there is guaranteed to be times where one part of this 

https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/community/reflective-narrative-about-being-gay-and-catholic/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022
https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/community/reflective-narrative-about-being-gay-and-catholic/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022


mission will be lived out more than another part, or where I am struggling to live out many parts 

of this mission. Whether it will be because of emotions or practical reasons or selfish reasons, I 

am sure there will be instances when it is difficult to live this mission, but I think it is important 

that I always try to better than I was yesterday. Notre Dame will be an instrumental part of my 

mission, and I believe throughout my years here, some parts of my mission statement will be 

strengthened or changed. The classes I take, the experiences I have, and the people I meet here 

will have a great impact on my life, and consequently on my mission statement.