Sophie P.

Hello, my name is Sophie Pettapiece! I am a third year, Interdisciplinary Art student at the University of Ottawa with a focus on Psychology and Philosophy!

I grew up in a Catholic family, attending Mass every Sunday and participating in different Catholic communities. Although I knew Jesus and knew his love for me, I found a struggle in developing a personal relationship with him. After a traumatic event during the pandemic where I almost lost a family member, I understood to rely on Jesus and to put my trust in him. Following this, I attended Rise Up Ottawa at the end of 2022 where I was able to reconnect with God and put him at the center of my life through adoration and confession. My life would not be the same if Jesus was not in my life and I want to encourage others to come to him the way that he has come to me.

Some fun facts about me, I have two pet rats named Cocoa and Brie! Despite the stigma with regards to rats, I will always try my best to convince people that rats are the best! I am very connected and love my family dearly, my family is everything to me. I enjoy card games, board games and tend to dabble in various craft projects including diamond painting, knitting, and visual arts. Finally, when saying hi to anyone, I wave with both hands to make sure you are welcomed!

Why do I want to be on Mission?

Throughout my years with participating in faith studies with CCO and helping out with my parish through lectoring and youth ministry, I felt that God was calling me to more, I just wasn’t quite sure as to what. In my prayer time, I had asked God what he would like me to do and where he wanted me to go and unfortunately it felt like my prayers were being unfulfilled. That was until Rise Up Montreal came around. I was not originally planning on going, but at the end of November, I realized that if God wanted me to go, he would provide for me. Throughout Rise Up, the call to mission came up and that was when I realized that was where God was calling me to be.

I’ve known many missionaries who have gone on mission and the ones who are on my campus. I have seen the way they have inspired and brought others to Christ and I want to be that light towards others. Ireland is especially the place I want to go, not only because Ireland is part of my heritage, but also because it allows me to provide others with the opportunity to come to Christ through parishes, schools and outwards towards the community! I am very excited and blessed to be going on this mission and I can’t wait to see how God is going to work through me to bring others towards him!