Mission Week at Merion Mercy: Living the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy

Mission Week is a beloved tradition at Merion Mercy Academy, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy—Immigration, Racism, Women, Nonviolence, and Earth—while taking meaningful action.

Organized by Student Council, this year’s Mission Week (March 3-7) dedicated each day to one of the Critical Concerns, symbolized by a colored ribbon. Interactive activities helped bring each issue to life: students engaged in ecobricking to promote environmental sustainability, participated in a prayer service focused on immigration, and contributed to a period poverty collection supporting women in need.

On Thursday, the focus was on racism, with students reflecting on the ongoing fight for racial justice. Each student wrote a personal commitment or thought on an index card, which was then woven into a powerful commUNITY “quilt,” symbolizing unity and shared responsibility in combating racial injustice.

Beyond education and reflection, Mission Week also provided opportunities to support Merion Mercy’s mission partners—St. Francis Inn, the Community Center at Visitation, and Bethlehem Farm—as well as rising seniors preparing for summer Mercy Immersion programs. Fundraising efforts included raffle prizes and “Dollars for Dos,” in which students voted on a new hairstyle for Theology teacher Dr. Kyle Thompson, whose signature flowing locks made the challenge especially fun.

The week culminated in a spirited dress-down day and the much-anticipated Mission Week Mixer, where students showed off their class colors and helped raise the majority of the funds for the week. Through hands-on engagement, reflection, and generosity, Mission Week once again demonstrated Merion Mercy’s deep commitment to living out the values of Mercy in action.