Happy New Year and blessings to you and your family. Sophomore Retreat is almost here and will be held on Wednesday, January 17 and is the next level of Mercy's four-year Retreat Program.

Last year, the students attended a retreat that challenged them to see how God blessed each of them with unique gifts and talents. Now that your daughter is a sophomore, we will continue to challenge her to contemplate how she can be God's hands by caring for others. Our goal is to encourage students to reflect on our call as Christians to serve and care for all people, especially the marginalized.

Students will interact with one another through activities and meet two guest speakers. Father Lawrence Nwankwo, a priest from Nigeria, will speak to the girls about the Catholic school he runs in Africa. The other speaker will be Sister Mary Bernard, a young Dominican nun from Ann Arbor, who will share her experience and understanding of being a servant of God. The students will participate in group activities including assembling lunches to take to St. Christine's Soup Kitchen.

 

This retreat is an all-day event and is mandatory for all sophomores. It will take place on Mercy's campus. There is no fee for this retreat experience. However, we can use your help. We are helping Father Lawrence build up the library for the students in Nigeria. Please bring in new or gently used books for children ages 3 to 12.

 

In summary, please send your daughter to school on Wednesday, January 17 in comfortable clothes, with a lunch from home, and with a child's book or two. All of our Mercy values of Option for the Poor, Service, Human Dignity, Justice, and Mercy will be at the heart of Sophomore Retreat. The speakers and the staff cherish the opportunity to teach the students about living a life of compassion for others.