Mercy High School Farmington Hills, Michigan
“[We should be] as the compass that goes round its circle without stirring from its center. Our center is God, from whom all our actions should spring as from their source.”
The Venerable Catherine McAuley, Founder of the Sisters of Mercy
School Motto: Women Who Make a Difference
Patroness: Our Lady of Mercy
Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy: Venerable Catherine McAuley
Feast Mercy Day: Feast of Our Lady of Mercy on September 24
Foundation Day: Feast of the Foundation of the Sisters of Mercy on December 12
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Mascot: Marlin
Rooted in Mercy
Mercy High School is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and is a member of Mercy Education. On September 24, 1827, Catherine McAuley opened the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland, including the first “Mercy School” – a classroom dedicated to training young women. In 1831, Catherine and two companions took vows to become the first Sisters of Mercy, beginning a religious order to carry on their important service to those who were poor, sick and uneducated. Sisters of Mercy and their companions, associates and co-workers continue Catherine McAuley’s mission of education. To ensure that mission into the future, the Sisters of Mercy established Mercy Education in 2017. Today, in the spirit of Catherine, the Sisters of Mercy respond to emerging needs, guided by five Critical Concerns: Earth, Immigration, Nonviolence, Racism and Women. The Critical Concerns shape Mercy schools’ approach to spirituality, service, curriculum and more.
Historical Sketch
The Mercy High School Michigan tradition began in 1945 when the Sisters of Mercy opened Our Lady of Mercy High School at Outer Drive and Southfield Roads in Detroit. The Sisters of Mercy established the school to offer young women the opportunity to receive a value-centered education in an environment of academic excellence. As enrollment grew, Mercy relocated to a new and larger building in Farmington Hills in 1965. Mercy is proud of its 16,000+ alumnae throughout the world who are now making a difference. The student body is made up of young women from over 70 metropolitan Detroit communities. This broad, inclusive base provides Mercy with a rich, multi-ethnic constituency from diverse, socioeconomic backgrounds. The common thread among staff, students and parents is a commitment to academic excellence, cultural diversity and the integration of Mercy Core Values into daily life.
School Year Traditions
- Adviser Group
- Spirit Week
- Daily Prayer
- Make a Difference Service Day
- Homecoming
- Ethnic Bazaar
- Christmas Assembly
- A-Ball
- Auction
- KAIROS
- Heart of Mercy
- Maroon & Gold Raffle Family Fundraiser
- Senior Painted Parking Spaces
- Baccalaureate Mass
- Honors Convocation
- Moving Up
- White Dress and Red Roses at Graduation
- Frosh Fun Fair
- Senior All Night Party
- Alumnae Tea for Tuition
- Golf Outing
Meaning of the School Seal
The book symbolizes the school where moral courage (virtus) and knowledge (scientia) are fostered under the guidance and protection of Mary, Our Lady of Mercy. The lilies are Mary's coat.
My God, I am yours for time and eternity. Teach me to cast myself entirely into the arms of your loving providence, with the most lively, unlimited confidence in your compassionate, tender pity. Grant me, O most merciful Redeemer, that whatever you ordain or permit may be acceptable to me. Take from my heart all painful anxiety; suffer nothing to sadden me but sin, nothing to delight me but the hope of coming to the possession of you, my God and my all, in your everlasting kingdom.
We’re building tomorrow with our lives today,
We're learning and growing
We’re proud to be called Mercy!
We are Mercy Marlins!
Holding our colors for the world to see,
Reaching for the best we can be,
We’re proud to be called Marlins!
We pledge to keep the goal of excellence
Ever in our sight.
We’re building tomorrow with our lives today.
We are Mercy High!