National School Walkout

Student members of the critical concerns club, moderated by Mr. Matthew Ochalek, chair of the theology department, organized an opportunity for MPS student participation in the National School Walkout on March 14. The walkout, held to remember those who were killed in the Parkland shooting and to stand in solidarity in support of stricter gun control laws, took place at 10:00 a.m. and lasted for 17 minutes, a number symbolic of the 17 lives lost. Student organizers spoke with the assembled group, reciting the names of those who lost their lives at Parkland; they invited people to add their names to petitions to be presented to government officials and reflected and prayed silently. The event culminated with the singing of the Our Father. While MPS students planned and led the walkout, the school did not register for the national event. Adults on faculty and staff joined the student participants and safety measures were in place.

A student announcement made prior to the walkout emphasized that, in no way, was participation in the walkout required. Members of our diverse community were invited to participate in the walkout, remain in class or spend the time in the chapel to share their prayer there.  Student choice was divided among the three options.

National Catholic Sisters Week

National Catholic Sisters Week is a time set aside to focus on the good works of Catholic Sisters. As a Mercy School, we are grateful for the Sisters of Mercy who founded Mercyhurst Seminary in 1926. In its inaugural years, the school was located in Old Main of what is now Mercyhurst University. In 1963 Mercyhurst Preparatory School opened its doors on East Grandview Boulevard to 170 female students. In 1974 MPS became Erie’s only Catholic coeducational high school, and that distinction holds true today with a dramatic increase in enrollment.

Through the leadership of the Sisters of Mercy, the school continues its commitment to prepare students from all religious and ethnic backgrounds for a successful, productive, and compassionate life in an ever-changing and interdependent world.

Thank you, Sisters of Mercy. We are grateful for your foresight, leadership, guidance and prayers.

Retreat for Our Lady of Peace School 7^th Grade

Having received a short-notice request to lead a retreat for the 7^th grade students of Our Lady of Peace School, several Mercyhurst Prep students swung into action. Held on March 8 at Our Lady of Mercy in Harborcreek, the retreat featured wonderful moments of prayer and music, fun team-building activities, opportunities for small group discussion, witness talks, confession, and Mass. The heartfelt reactions from the 7^th graders seemed to indicate that the retreat was a success! Leading the retreat were l to r: Haley Dombrowski-Little ’20, Gabe Gallagher ’19, Sarah Keating ’20, Noah Beaulieu ’20, Dominick Rodriguez ’21, Matt Ahrens ’19, Kaitlyn Nicholson ’19 and Sophia Alberico ’20.

The MPS Summer on the Hill lineup has something for everyone from ages 5 to 18 including Potterpalooza, Summer Performing Arts Workshop (SPAW), EV3 Robotics, Stop Motion Animation, Intro to Coding, and Video Game Design. In addition, there’s an array of sports camps including rowing, basketball, running, soccer, and football camp.

Attend the Open House on April 26, and you’ll have a chance to win a camp in almost every offering. That’s over $800 in prizes!!!! Limited to one free camp per participant.

Classes fill up fast, and registration is now open at mpslakers.com/summer.

MPS Adoration Hour at Bread of Life

WHEN: Every Saturday from 2 – 3 p.m. Beginning April 14^th, 2018

WHERE: Bread of Life Adoration Chapel / St. Joseph Church, 147 W. 24^th Street

WHO: Open to the MPS community, students, faculty, families and alumni!

WHY: An opportunity for the MPS community to commit one hour each week before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for our school , families, world and community.

How do I sign up? Please email Father Steve Schreiber at sschreiber@mpslakers.com or Mrs. Kruszewski at lkru@me.com.

You do not have to commit every week; this is an opportunity for the entire MPS community to commit one hour a week together. We do request that no students go alone, that an adult accompanies them during their hour. A schedule will be made, and you can pick your Saturday!

One of the best places in Erie to pray is the beautiful and quiet Adoration Chapel at St. Joseph/Bread of Life Parish. For years, many individuals and married couples have committed to praying a weekly Holy Hour there. And now the Mercyhurst Prep Family is joining them! Thanks to an inspiration Mrs. Lori Kruszewski had while actually praying in the chapel, Mercyhurst Prep will now have a time slot. Every Saturday from 2:00 – 3:00 pm, members of the Mercyhurst Prep community will be responsible for being in the chapel and praying before the Blessed Sacrament. This is a tremendous opportunity for personal prayer and a wonderful opportunity to lift up our community and our students. But we need families to be involved. To register for a date, simply email Mrs. Kruszewski (lkru@me.com) or MPS Chaplain Fr Steve Schreiber (sschreiber@mpslakers.com).

The goal is to have a minimum of two families scheduled for each Saturday of the year. Our commitment begins on Saturday, April 14. Once commitments are made, Mrs. Kruszewski will prepare a calendar. Families are invited to commit for a Saturday each month, or simply for a Saturday when available. Please consider being a part of this effort. No doubt, the blessings that will flow from this effort are beyond what we can imagine. Thank you!

Spring Play: Once Upon a Mattress

Laker Glow…Fun for the Whole Family!

The Laker Glow 5k/1 Mile Fun Walk is a wonderful way to kick off spring. Before the race, enjoy music and face painting (adults, you can get your faces painted too!). After the race it’s a great party sponsored by our good friends at Smith Provision Company, Metz Culinary Management, and Monster Snacks. Music is provided as a donation by Lisa and Sarah Keating ‘20 mobile DJs. For registration and information, please go to mpslakers.com/lakerglow.

We’ll see you on Saturday, April 28^th @ 7:30 p.m. here at MPS!

There’s still time to get your name on the exclusive Laker Glow tee shirt. Contact Karen at kgroshek@mpslakers.com

Thank you to our Trade Sponsors:








Thank you to our Starting Gate/Finish Line Sponsors:

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