We had our Indian Summer and then winter came in with a blast!  It's always startling that we seem to forget what driving on snow and ice demands, and each year with the first measurable snowfall, one thinks that the roadways are suddenly inhabited by hordes of visitors from the southern states!

This season, with all its chaos, is also a time for each of us to consciously slow down.  We come, very soon, to the end of a calendar year and I think it wise to reflect on all that the year has provided.  I am richer for the new people that have come into my life over the past twelve months, and richer still for the people in my life that I lost over the past year . . . loved ones whose deaths brought me to a keen awareness of my good fortune in having known them.

I hope that 2006 brought you more pleasure than pain and that the year ahead offers great promise and surprise.  I share with you the words of two writers, the first a novelist, humorist and journalist and the second, an American poet.

"Christmas gift suggestions:  To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect."  Oren Arnold (1900-1980)

"Whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep Christmas still a shining thing.  Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, Let us hold close one day, remembering Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.  Let us get back our childlike faith again."  Grace Noll Crowell (1877-1969)

May each of you know God's love and become that love for others.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carolyn Witte 

Students and staff gave over 800 bags of food and $4,000 to feed more than 60 low-income senior citizens for the Focus: HOPE Share with a Senior Holiday Program. 

For over 20 years, Mercy and Focus: HOPE have joined hands and hearts to provide all the trimmings for a traditional home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner, plus additional meals for the hungry and homeless during the holiday season.

Dads Club

Get your Dads Club Annual Raffle tickets!  On sale now for a chance to win $10,000.  All proceeds will benefit academic and athletic funds.  Drawing date is February 27, 2007.

Please join us at our next meeting Tuesday, January 9 at 7:00pm.

Cool Careers ~ Cool Song!

Science teacher Kathy Kitzmann performed the world premiere of her original song "A Woman Who Makes A Difference" to kick off Career Day held December 7th.  Kitzmann composed the words and music while Abha Dearing arranged vocals for the Mercyaires.  The song was dedicated to ALL women of Mercy High School, past, present, and future.

Alumnae Miss Michigan Angela Corsi '00, Fox 2 News Anchor Fanchon Stinger '89, and Jacokes Communications Owner Diana Jacokes '67 shared success stories and offered career advice. 

These 3 self-motivated, energetic women thanked Mercy High School for helping them become women who make a difference.  Corsi inspired students to "be in the present" and "make your own opportunities."  Jacokes stressed, "do what you love and work hard to be good at it." Stinger motivated Mercy to "let your personality shine" and "focus on developing yourself and find others to help you grow."

50 women with jobs ranging from law and medicine to graphic design and occupational therapy provided valuable professional insight and discussion with Mercy girls during the Career Day visit.

Invitation to SOPHOMORE PARENTS  (JUNIOR PARENTS received this information in a special mailing.)

You're invited to attend an informational meeting covering all aspects of college planning at our College Night.  Topics will include preparation and the college application process. 

We will also have representatives from various colleges, including the University of Michigan, Kalamazoo College, Grand Valley State University, and Loyola University - Chicago.  These representatives will discuss what is common to the admissions process at ANY UNIVERSITY, not just their own.

Your daughter is encouraged to attend with you, as it's never too early to start planning for college.  We hope to see you there Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 7:00pm in the Mercy Auditorium. 

A Time for Reflection 

One of the topics taken up in the Prayer class is the value of taking time for silence in the midst of our hectic lives.  Last month, Mrs. Lusch's Prayer class created and led a prayer service to bless our new Hermitage Room. 

The room is located within the chapel and is also used for the sacrament of Reconciliation.  It is a place where students can spend an hour of their unscheduled time alone in prayer and reflection, a place of peace where they can feel closer to God.  The room contains a beautiful sculpture by Alumna Suzanne Young '71. 

Help Me With MATH! 

An online math tutorial program, HotMath is now available to help with any math textbook used at Mercy.  Students simply login at HotMath.com using the password marlins07, locate their textbook, and select the page number and any of the odd numbered problems they wish to solve. 

Math teachers shared this information with the students and about 70% of the Algebra I and II students are using the program as well as almost 90% of the students taking the advanced math courses.  Take a look and encourage your daughter to use this service!  Any questions can be directed to your daughter's teacher. 

175 Years

December 12th marked the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of Mercy by Catherine McAuley.  Catherine spent her entire inheritance in building the first House of Mercy on fashionable Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland, thus connecting the rich to the poor. 

Today the Sisters of Mercy can be found on every continent serving wherever there is need.  Mercy High School is proud to be a member of the Network for Mercy education consisting of 40 secondary and 20 elementary Sisters of Mercy sponsored schools in the Americas.

At this time we remember our famous Sister of Mercy, Sr. Mary Ignatius, Denay, RSM.  On November 14, she returned home to God in her 100th year of life.  She was an educator and an artist, talented in a variety of media, whose works grace parishes, hospitals, and especially the halls and chapel of Mercy High School.  She was loved by many and will be remembered for her capacity to see beauty in all, her holiness, and her sense of humor. 

Student Successes

Mercy girls Grace Van Poppel, Mary Helen Malaney, and Patty Malaney participated in the state level NATS (National Arts Teachers of Singing) competition on November 4th.  Mary Helen tied for third place in the musical theater category and Grace Van Poppel received honorable mention in the classical voice category.  They are both qualified to move on to the regional competition which will be held in March at Ball State University in Indiana.

The Varsity Basketball team finished their season as District 19 Champions beating Henry Ford, Western International, and Southfield.  Check out the Athletics schedule and come cheer for the other marvelous Marlin teams.

Tis' the Season of Giving!

There are many ways to impact the education of young women and to make a difference at Mercy, but the most important show of support is making a gift to MERCY'S Annual Giving Program. 

In the spirit of the holiday season, remember Mercy!  Tis' the season of giving and a great time to do your part to help "zap the gap."  Make a new or renewed gift NOW before year-end and take full advantage of income tax deductions.  All gifts donated online before year-end and checks postmarked by 12/31/06 will be eligible for charitable tax deductions on your 2006 return.

You may even want to consider a gift of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.  For information on donating securities, call Director of Development Nadine Maynard at 248.476.8020 ext 1538.  She'll be glad to help.

From all of us here at Mercy, a blessed Christmas to you and those you love! 

Click to make your gift right now online.  It's fast, easy, and secure! 

STAY HOME in your Jammies!

Another great way to benefit Mercy is to stay home in your jammies and go shopping online at  www.schoolpop.com for all your Christmas gifts.  Mercy will receive a percentage of all sales.  

There are hundreds of stores like Target, Barnes & Noble, LL Bean, Discovery Store, Circuit City, Toys R Us, and more!  Simply register your information, select Mercy High School (ID 130214), and shop to earn contributions for Mercy High School. 

Let's Hear It for the Staff

Music Teacher Abha Dearing completed her Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from Oakland University in November.  Many students and staff attended her recital which was the culmination of three years of hard work.

Over this past summer, English Teacher Tom Schusterbauer won the grand prize for poetry in the Metro Times yearly creative writing competition.  His melancholy poem, "My Father's Song," deals with the vast difference between sweet dreams and sad realities. 

Mercy High School ornament. 

So far, 450 have been sold!

Simply click here to purchase.  They make wonderful gifts.

Proceeds benefit Tuition Assistance Fund.

The Figure Skating Team is starting its season this month with the first competition on December 16 at the Plymouth Cultural Center 11 am - 4 pm, and will run through March.  

The Mercyaires have been busy preparing for their many Christmas performances.  Their winter shows combine singing and dancing with beautiful a cappella holiday arrangements.  Hope you had a chance to check them out this season.  Call Director Abha Dearing at 248.474.4440 for more show information.

You are always welcome to pray with the Mercy Moms Prayer Group  Monday afternoons 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm in the school chapel.  This group is dedicated to lifting up in prayer the entire faculty, staff, and student body of Mercy High School.  The format is based on Moms In Touch International and is very informal with no preparation required to attend.  Contact Linda Fiscus at fiscuslmf@hotmail.com for more information.

High 5 to the following Sweepstakes Drive winners:

AUCTION'S Top Ten Christmas Wish List

1. 100% Mercy family participation!

2.  Leftover baskets to reuse for Auction gift baskets; bring to Development Offices.

3. Assistance in calling past Auction donors; contact 248.893.3516.

4. Volunteers to help with decorating; e-mail mismmg52@aol.com.

5. Trips up North, down South, over the pond, through the woods.

6. Airline tickets to accompany current trips already donated.

7. More donations! 

8. Record-breaking Tuition Raffle ticket sales.  Look for yours in January.

9. Successful Gift Gathering Parties with plenty of people and gifts; e-mail eecarlesimo@mhsmi.org.

10. A full house of 500 parents and guests on Auction night!  Invitations coming in January.

Make a Difference to the 2007 Senior All Night Party

The senior class will be attending an all-night party June 7th.  This night is filled with excitement.  One activity involves the winning of large items intended for college.  Perhaps a senior has made a difference in your daughter's high school experience and you would like to donate an item. 

This would be a good time with pre and post Christmas sales as well as the opportunity for a tax write off for the 2006 year.  Items could include:  microwaves; tv's; laptops; bikes; dvd players; cameras; luggage; etc . . . Donations can be made by contacting Penny Campbell 248.789.2848 or Judith Abraham 248.349.0107. 

Want even more?  Check out the school year calendar. 

Submit information for our next issue by JANUARY 12 to be e-mailed to your inbox JANUARY 18.  Contact Julie Earle, Communications Coordinator, at jhearle@mhsmi.org

You're always a click away from more Mercy info @ www.mhsmi.org.