MMA Weekly • November 14, 2021 The MMA Weekly covers important announcements, the school calendar, and other co-curricular updates. Since the calendar is subject to occasional adjustments, please be sure to visit the calendar on the MyMMA platform or check the live calendar on our website.
Do you have a great photo that showcases a great "Merion moment"? If so, please email your photo to Kristina Cawley at kcawley@merion-mercy.com. Head of School Dear Merion Mercy Community,
As many of our seniors set off on the first Kairos retreat of the school year last week, it seems fitting to share a little bit about this three-day retreat.
The translation of the Greek word Kairos is "right time." From a religious perspective, we interpret the word as "the appointed time in the presence of God." The Kairos retreat provides students with the time, place, and support to open their minds and hearts to the love of God, their family, and their friends.
Like any retreat, Kairos is an experience of the self, others, and God. Students spend time in reflection, discussion, and prayer, both individually and with others on the retreat. Student and teacher leaders facilitate the exercises and activities.
While this seems a simple explanation of what occurs, those who attend a Kairos retreat can attest that it is a powerful experience. One alum recently shared with me that her Kairos retreat "built community, fostered trust, and encouraged deep reflection."
Retreatants are given the gift of time, something all too rare in our everyday lives. Without the distractions of everyday life, students speak of their joys, hopes, and sorrows in ways new and rewarding to them.
I hope that Merion's Kairos 75 was fruitful for its participants, and I look forward to the many Kairos retreats in Merion's future where our students can further deepen their faith, build relationships, and see the impact they can have on others.
Warm regards, Announcements Thanksgiving Drive
MMA's Thanksgiving Drive will be hosted this year by the MMA Parents Association, Mercy Mission Corps, and the Ministry Team and will run November 8-22.
Click here for the email that went out Friday with specific details.
The Compass Club
Congratulations to senior mom Jackie O'Connor whose first book The Compass Club launches on November 16.
One-hundred percent of the net proceeds from this book will be donated to the Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministry is a Christ-centered lay apostolate and parish-based ministry that offers peaceful support to those facing a major illness, loss of loved one, divorce, job loss, substance abuse, or any other life challenge.
Learn more about The Compass Club in this video and/or get your copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Target.
Student Life Advent Angels
Students will have the opportunity this week in Advisory to select their Advent Angel, a beloved Merion tradition. Participation is completely optional. Advisors will review what the season of Advent is and what being an Advent Angel involves. Student Life is really looking forward to celebrating the Advent season with the community this year!
Community Space
Community Space happened to fall on our dear Catherine McAuley's feast day! We think Catherine loved seeing us all together in the spot we love so well. Ministry members kindly planned Community Space and connected Catherine's witness to a deeper awareness of Afghan refugees and how we as a Merion community are trying to assist them in a small way with our Thanksgiving Food Drive, which began earlier in the week.
Class of 2023 Sisterhood Day
The junior class spent some quality time together on Friday for their Sisterhood Day experience. The theme was Sisterhood: Esteem, Acceptance, and Empowerment of Ourselves and Our Sisters. The day was filled with bonding as a class through reflection and group exercises led by our Mercy Mission Corp mental health and wellness partner Michael's Giving H.A.N.D.
General Reminders
Health Center Magnus Health Reminder
If you have not yet uploaded the required Health Forms, including your vaccination record if applicable, into Magnus Health, please do so as soon as possible. Updated and accurate medical records are a requirement.
If you are having difficulty navigating the Magnus system, entering data online, or downloading the hard-copy cover sheets and forms, or if you have any other questions, please contact customer support at Magnus Health SMR by phone at 877.461.6831 or by email at service@magnushealthportal.com.
Vaccination and Boosters
The medical community advises us that COVID-19 vaccination provides the safest protection against the virus and its variants, helps to limit the transmission of the virus, and protects against severe illness and hospitalization. Click here to learn more.
If a student has been vaccinated and you have not notified the School Nurse, please make sure to inform the School Nurse by clicking here.
Many of the people who are now eligible to receive a booster shot received their initial vaccine early in the vaccination program and will benefit from additional protection. A booster shot will help strengthen protection against severe disease in those populations who are at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 or the complications from severe disease. Click here to learn more.
Ruvna
We will continue to conduct daily screenings via the Ruvna platform, asking that students, faculty, and staff members check daily for COVID-19 symptoms. Self-screening is an important component of our prevention plan, and we need everyone to participate by completing it. College Counseling Event for Parents/Caregivers of Freshmen and Sophomores
We invite you to join us on November 17 from 7-8 p.m. on campus as we share some thoughts with you regarding important aspects of your daughter's journey through MMA. This program is for parents/caregivers who are able to attend in person.
Our counseling staff will be guiding you in the following:
We hope you will join us for an informative evening. We look forward to seeing you on campus. Athletics Winter Sports
Are you interested in participating in basketball, swimming, or crew training this winter? For our planning, we ask that anyone interested in these sports please fill out the form here.
Please click here for more details on winter sports. Crew training begins on Tuesday, November 30. Basketball and Swimming start on Friday, November 19. All athletes needed to have a valid physical on file within their Magnus account by Friday, November 12. Athletes who played a fall sport need to have the recertification form completed and signed by a parent or guardian. That form can be found within your daughter's Magnus account.
Fun Runs
Considering a fun run or race? Here are a few local happenings:
St. Bernadette's Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, November 27 at St. Bernadette School in Drexel Hill.
Girls on the Run Event on Sunday, December 5 at Wilson Farm Park in Chesterbrook From Girls on the Run: "Check out this inspirational volunteer opportunity with Girls on the Run! Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program where we inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. We are dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
Meeting twice a week in small teams, we teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. At each season's conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a non-competitive celebratory 5K event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals.
We are looking for 30 volunteers to help us make this event memorable for the 268 girls participating in our fall season. Volunteer arrival time is 8:30 a.m. For more details, you can visit our website here. To register as a volunteer, please sign up here!" Parents Association Thank You to Everyone Who Replied to Our Survey
Many thanks to those of you who took time to fill out our survey on programming. It will help inform our planning for events for the remainder of the year.
Senior Ornament Workshop
Thank you to everyone who came out for our first workshop last week! We will hold a second workshop to create our keepsake ornaments for seniors on November 16, between 10 a.m.–3 p.m. If you would like to join us anytime during those hours, please sign up here. Many hands make light work, and with Carol Night coming quickly on December 1, we are working hard to complete these before Thanksgiving.
Counting Down the Days
We are looking forward to an amazing night on November 20 as we come together as a community to celebrate our 45th annual Sip 'n Bid in person. We have a lot to prepare as we count down the days, so if you can spare a few hours to volunteer here, we would be grateful for your help! You may sign up here. Can't make it to the event? There are still ways to join in the fun! You will be able to preview and bid on items online. And join in the fun of our 50/50 raffle—you don't have to be present to win! Plus, we're holding a special raffle for students next week. Tickets are $5 or 4 for $20, and two tickets to Jingle Ball are among the prizes! Students can purchase raffle tickets all week during lunch codes. Advent Evening of Reflection: December 8
The Parents Association is partnering with the Alumnae Association once again for an Advent Evening of Reflection with Sister Honora Nicholson, RSM, at school on December 8 from 6–8:30 p.m. The cost is $15 as a light dinner will be provided. With December 8 being a Holy Day of Obligation, the program will consist of a light dinner at 6 p.m., Advent Reflection with Sister Honora at 6:30 p.m., and Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at 7:30 p.m. Please register here. We invite you to take a few hours out of the hectic holiday season and join the Merion Mercy community for this popular Advent tradition. Development Spirit Shop Spirit Shop News
The Spirit Shop is gearing up for the holiday season with some new items: we have new League embroidered sweatshirts and Charles River washed blue sweatshirts, and our basic tackle-twill crewnecks and hoodies have been restocked. We also have brand-new beach towels (perfect for senior week) that are ready for gift giving! (They'll go great with our beach umbrellas and our nautical canvas totes, too!) Check out our new winter hats, and don't forget about our leggings (discounted 15% with code LEGGINGS until December 1).
Shop 24/7 here! Recent News & Happenings Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Listening Session for Alumnae on December 1: Learn More Calendar Wednesday - November 17, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |