Wit's End . . . notes from the principal

I am keenly aware of the following truth: Life is brief and Time, a thief.

Maybe We Need Another Miracle   Maybe we need another miracle. Each epoch ought to have one of its own, Reducing skeptics to a single groan, Renewing faith with evidence empirical.   Yes, we need fresh testimony lyrical, Changing hearts that else would change to stone, Healing those who, hearing, would atone, Replacing reason with a canticle.   If only God would visit us again, Showing us for sure His Patient love, Taking on our sins a second time!   Maybe we could be certain then, Ablaze with what our faith would outright prove, So for ourselves to witness the sublime.

As we ready ourselves to close yet another year, I reflect on so many events in the last twelve months - - events that have posed significant difficulty for many people in the Mercy community.  Despite the hurt and hardship, I have seen, first hand, immense kindness, compassion, and generosity.  I see these things as little miracles.

Merry Christmas!

Giving Food.  Giving Thanks.  Giving Gifts.  Giving Hope.

It's the season of giving - giving to others who are in need this holiday season.  Mercy students packed an abundance of food for the annual Focus: HOPE Food Drive.  As a school, Mercy filled a semi-truck with Thanksgiving trimmings and donated $4,300 to feed low income senior citizens.  

3 other charities also benefited from Mercy reaching out to others.  600 gifts for girls were placed under the Mercy Christmas tree during the annual Christmas Gift Drive with the St. Vincent de Paul Ladies of Charity.  60 educational items were given to the Mercy Education Project, and plenty of Beanie Babies, toothbrushes, and toothpaste were donated to Sweet Dreams Detroit Organization.

THANK YOU to the entire Mercy family for teaming up to give and make a difference to organizations serving the less fortunate.  "The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise.  May your hearts enjoy life forever!"  Psalms 22:27

As we continue to share with the less fortunate and do our year-end charitable giving, please remember Mercy High School during this holiday season.  Shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and educate . . . these are all special works of Mercy.

Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, reminds us that "No work can be more productive of good to society than the careful education of women."

If you have not yet made a gift to Mercy’s Annual Appeal or sent in a donation to help "zap the gap," the Christmas season is the perfect time to give.

Send your Annual Appeal gift to Mercy Development in the remit envelope provided in the Mercy 2006 – 2007 Annual Report you recently received or go online 24/7 to make your gift.  All checks dated by December 31, 2007 or gifts made online by midnight 12/31/07 will receive a 2007 tax receipt.

Mercy Moment of the Month

MERCY, MERCY, MERCY, Oi, Oi, Oi! 

The Marlins swam and swam and swam their way to a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP on November 16th and 17th outracing every team with a total 346.5 points.  THANKS for the day off swim and dive team, and CONGRATS on a splashing season!  And . . .here's to these super fast Marlins who made the 2007 All-Area Team:  Megan Craig, Kelsey Edson, Kaitlin Myszkowski, Kaitlyn Jefferson, Nikki Barczak, Taylor Steffl. 

Mothers Club

Please note the JANUARY meeting has been canceled, but join us at our next meeting February 4 at 6:30pm.  Click here to check out all the ways you can get involved with Mercy Moms and to download the volunteer form.  

Dads Club 

Do you feel lucky?  Send in your raffle tickets for a chance to win $10,000, $1,500, or $1,000.  Drawing will take place at the Dads and Daughters Dance February 2, 2008.

Let's Roll!  Hit the lanes with your daughter for some bowling and fun on Sunday, March 9 at Drakeshire Lanes.  CLICK HERE for sign up sheet and more information. 

Calling all DADS!  We welcome and encourage you to come meet and greet at our next meeting January 8 at 7:00pm in the Cafeteria. 

Celebrating the Colors of Mercy

Close to 100 student performers embraced and celebrated their culture through song, dance, art, poetry, food, and fashion at the annual Ethnic Bazaar ~ Color Your World held November 29th. 

The drama studio was packed with applauding students awed by the African, Mexican, Filipino, and Chaldean dances, songs performed in Chinese, and colorful fashions from around the globe.  Staff and students expanded their culinary tastes by sampling Irish bread, Russian pie, French croissants, and Middle Eastern dishes and sweets.

For the past 15 years, the Ethnic Bazaar has allowed students from various ethnicities to honor and showcase their traditions for the entire unique population of Mercy to share.  Assistant Principal Will Gervais says, "The students who perform are immensely proud of their heritage and are positively reinforced by their peers.  It brings us closer together as a community to help us understand how closely connected all humans are."

Guess What?

For the second consecutive year, Mercy Junior Emily Wilkins and Sophomore Sarah Blau have been awarded a journalism internship with the Farmington Observer and will be writing, editing, and publishing articles of interest to area teens in the Student Voices section of the Sunday edition every 6 weeks.  Click here to read Sarah's article and click here to read Emily's article, both of which appeared in the November 11 issue. 

There's plenty more coverage of Mercy in the Farmington Observer and other papers!  CLICK HERE to check out Mercy in the News.  And if you come across an article in your area mentioning Mercy or a Mercy student, please clip it and send to Julie Earle (jhearle@mhsmi.org) in the Development Office. 

Thank YOU and Thank YOU and Thank YOU . . . Mercy Marketplace 2007

Countless thank you's are in order for all of the efforts extended by parents, students, staff, and friends of Mercy to make this year's Mercy Marketplace happen.  Without the help and patience of so many wonderful volunteers, this event would not have been possible!

To the fabulous Mercy Moms Club who organized both the concessions area and bake sale.  With excellent creativity and leadership from both Barbara Pichan and Diane Troxtel, the cafeteria was filled with the sights and sounds and smells of holiday cheer.  Thank you to all of the volunteers who worked alongside Barbara and Diane as well as all of the parents who donated the delicious goodies.

To the Mercy Dads Club for their willingness to assist in the tear down efforts.  Without you, we might still be putting the school back together!

To Liz Bujak & Ken Phillips who helped organize Marketplace advertising and public relations as well as Carol Winkler, Karen Harlan, and Shelley & Kevin Niedwicki who distributed posters and yard signs. 

To Lisa and Danielle Harteau, Shelley and Allison Boatright, Kristie and Olivia Bonner, and Katherine Litchenberg who graciously volunteered their time to sell the limited edition Mercy Christmas ornaments.

To the Hagopian Family who were of supreme assistance during check in and tear down.  Thank you for making the Mercy Marketplace a true family affair!  As always, all proceeds from the Mercy Marketplace help fund the Tuition Assistance Program. 

Student Successes ~ APPLAUSE!!  APPLAUSE!!

Hip, hip, hooray to Mercy Pom girls Danielle Cowper '08, Maggie Check '09, Katie Ciuni '08, Brittany Curran '10, Marteika King '08, Gina Maffezzoli '10, Jenna Stocks '08, and Kaitlin Zolna '09 who made the prestigious Mid American Pompon All Star Team.  They performed in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Danielle, Jenna, Martieka, Gina, and Brittany will kick up their heels at the Motor City Bowl at Ford Field on December 26th.

Raise your voice to Grace Van Poppel '09 who came in third place in the classic music category and Mary Malaney '08 who came in second place in the musical theater category at the state wide competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Awards.  They both qualified to advance to the regional competition in March at Ball State University. 

Sera Patrillo '11 successfully completed the requirements of the novice moves-in-the-field test conducted by U.S. Figure Skating.  Sera achieved this through her discipline and footwork on seven required skating elements.

Latest and Greatest from the ALUMNAE OFFICE

Shootin' Hoops

All Mercy Basketball Alumnae are invited to lace up their hightops for the Alumnae Basketball game on December 29th at 4:00pm.  Odd numbered graduation years will take on even numbered graduation years in a game coached by former coaches Larry Baker and Michael King.  CLICK HERE for more information and to RSVP contact Gary Morris at coachmorris@mercybasketball.org.

Save Time to Reflect

The Alumnae Association will host the Mercy Women's Lenten Series Evenings of Reflection on February 13, 19, and 25. 

Spend an evening with women to share soup, break bread, and nurture your spirit.  CLICK HERE for more information about our dynamic speakers or contact alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org.

Setting Up For S o i r é e 

WAIT…DON’T THROW THAT AWAY!   As you celebrate the holiday season with gift exchanges, festive decorations, and maybe even some winter cleaning, please ‘think before you throw’ and save any items that the Auction Team may be able to use for packaging gift baskets.  Items such as packing peanuts, paper shredding, confetti paper, and baskets are critical materials in producing Auction gift baskets.  Please recycle these supplies and send them to school with your daughters after the holiday break, or stop by the Development office yourself!

‘TIS THE SEASON…FOR AUCTION GIFTS!  Although we are amidst the time for exchanging ‘Seasons Greetings,’ it is hard to believe that the 29^th Annual Mercy Auction, Soirée, is just around the corner!  With high expectations for this always exciting, parent-driven, fundraising event, the Auction Team is reaching out to each Mercy family with the hope that everyone will be able to contribute to the Auction in some way.  Not quite sure what types of things are donated?  The sky’s the limit!  Here is a sampling of the types of items on the Auction wish list.

HELP WANTED!  Members of the Auction Team are looking for some parent volunteers to help with the following areas: 

• DECORATIONS - Saturday, January 12^th @ 9:00 am

Join us on our first major day of decoration help!  We are looking for anyone willing to lend a hand, especially sewers & crafters!  Not super creative or crafty?  Don’t worry!  Most of the initial plans are in place; now we are looking for parents to help execute the ideas.  Contact Decorations Chair Stephanie Arambula at raram@sbcglobal.net or 248.960.9001. 

• PARENT PACKET MAILING - Monday, January 7 and Tuesday, January 8

Always trying to keep parents informed, we are putting together Auction parent packets and are looking for volunteers to help with the assembly.  Contact Parent Mailing Coordinator Beth Seibert at queenbofdetroit@aol.com or 313.969.8334. 

• PARENT PACKET PHONE CALLS – Week of January 14 – 18 

After the Auction parent packets have been mailed out, we like to touch base with all Mercy families to make sure they have received the information and answer any questions.  These phone calls can be made from the Development Office, or from the comfort of your home.  Lists will be divided among volunteers.  Contact Parent Mailing Coordinator Beth Seibert at queenbofdetroit@aol.com or 313.969.8334. 

After the holidays, watch your mailboxes for more information about Mercy’s Auction Soirée.  CLICK HERE for more AUCTION details including gift and ad contracts, sponsorship opportunities, raffle ticket information, and gift party photos. For any questions, or to get involved in Soirée, please contact Linda Karbo in the Special Events Office at lckarbo@mhsmi.org or 248.893.3535.  

MNotes . . . miscellaneous info you need to know!  

Add some Mercy JOY to your Christmas tree with this LIMITED EDITION Mercy ornament.  It's the perfect stocking stuffer for a future Mercy girl, graduating senior, alumna, or staff member.  If you don't already have one of these custom designed ornaments by Bronner's of Frankenmuth, now might be your last chance - once they're gone, they're gone! 

For only $15 give someone a treasured memory that will add beauty to their holidays for years to come.  All proceeds from Mercy ornament sales benefit Mercy Tuition Assistance Program.  Stop by the reception area or contact Special Events Coordinator Linda Karbo at 248.893.3535 or lckarbo@mhsmi.org to purchase.

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS!  Senior Ads for the yearbook are due February 1.  If you have any questions or need another order form, please contact Mr. Mike German at mkgerman@mhsmi.org or 248.893.3557.   

The Mercy Figure Skating Team is lacing up their skates to start another successful season.  Come see them compete.  What a great way to spend a winter day!  CLICK HERE for the schedule and CLICK HERE to see when all of our Mercy ATHLETICS teams are in action.  If you don't know where to go, try using our Maps and Directions web page for help.

Look who is a Sweepstakes Drive winner!

Mercy Months Ahead

Want even more?  Click the school year calendar and the Mercy web site. 

Check out the current announcements, view past issues of the MEMO newsletter, and browse the home page yellow box to link to what's happening today @ Mercy. 

Have comments to make or news to share about the Mercy MEMO?

Submit information for the JANUARY issue to jhearle@mhsmi.org by January 14 to be delivered to your inbox January 17.