Dozens attended a Mass Wednesday at St. Ann?s Church in Nyack to honor a NYPD officer?s mission of reconciliation. New York City Police Detective Steven McDonald was shot in the line of duty by a teenager in Central Park in 1986. His spine was shattered leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.

McDonald is getting ready to travel to Northern Ireland to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Omagh bombing, which killed 29 people.

"We can learn from them because here in America we struggle with violence too and they seem to be doing very well dealing with the after effects of violence, choosing peace and living better lives because of it," says McDonald.

While in Ireland, McDonald will present a plaque that encourages forgiveness. He says the only thing worse than a bullet in his spine, would have been revenge in his heart. McDonald had the strength to forgive his attacker. As a victim of violence, he identifies with the victims in Northern Ireland who lost their loved ones.

McDonald's five-day trip to Northern Ireland begins Saturday. He will continue his mission of reconciliation, helping to bring about peace.