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11 November 2019
Dear Families,
Today is Veterans’ Day, which allocates time for each of us to remember and celebrate those who have served in the armed forces. My son, who is active military, reminds me often that, without his service and that of all those across the armed services, we would not have freedom of speech or liberty to express our political differences. We have the freedom to disagree, thanks to the neutrality of our military. We are lucky, despite how contentious our political world is.
Today is also a day to remember Blessed Antona Ebo, Franciscan Sister of Mary, who died on November 11, 2017. Sr. Antona became the first African-American woman to administer a hospital in the United States. She is also a founding member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference. Ever a trailblazer, Sr. Antona marched on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in 1965 and in the 2014 protests in Ferguson, Missouri, following the death of Michael Brown. She marched in Selma because, as she said, “I am here because I’m a Negro, a nun, a Catholic, and because I want to bear witness.” Her life was full of witness, as she was a woman of great integrity and courage.
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The Most Reverend Archbishop Lori will be visiting Pope Francis this month, and he would like to present the Holy Father with a spiritual bouquet in honor of the Pope’s 50th Anniversary of his priestly ordination. To participate in this gift from the people of the Premier See of Baltimore, you can go to www.archbalt.org and click on the image at the top of the page.
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Footlighters will be producing Little Women, the Broadway musical, in February. Auditions will be held on Tuesday from 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Those auditioning should be prepared to sing 32 bars of two contrasting songs in the Broadway musical style. There are many options for those with busy schedules, since, in addition to the March sisters and other roles in the play, the Footlighters need an Ensemble, stage hands, makeup artists, costume designers, program designers, and front-of-the house ushers! Encourage your daughters to bring their creative energy to the Footlighters’ winter production.
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Parents of Piano Students - Save the Date!
On Monday, December 16th at 2:20 pm, you are invited to come and enjoy some Christmas Cheer with your piano students! We will have a mini recital of Christmas music by our piano class and we would love to have you. No RSVP is necessary, but the piano students hope to see you all!
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On Wednesday, Mercy’s delegation for the Model Organization of American States will travel to the OAS in Washington, DC to represent Colombia. Their committees include the General Committee, Judicial and Political Affairs, Hemispheric Security, and Integral Development. The delegation includes Kennedy Ackermam, Lauren Baker, Emma Clapp, Sasha Davis, Rosiejo Genzola, Olivia Hatcher, Madeleine Oum-Ray, Laura Parada, Sophia Terranova, and Karis Wallace. Thanks to Ms. Denise Fierro and Ms. Kimm Allison for preparing our MOAS delegation and accompanying them to Washington, DC.
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We are now more than half-way through the Student Raffle. This fundraiser is a crucial part of what keeps Mercy strong and every Mercy Girl benefits from the money raised. Below are helpful hints on ways Mercy Girls can sell their tickets:
- Ask family members and friends to purchase a ticket. Neighbors are always a good source of support.
- Reach out to outside groups or organizations that you belong to (i.e. church, or club sports).
- Use social media to broaden your reach.
- Reach out to alumnae that you may know.
- Remind supporters that they still have a chance to win up to $1,250 in cash prizes.
Remember that the number one reason people support an organization or cause, is because they were asked!
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With Notre Dame of Maryland University, we will again be offering dual enrollment courses. One of the benefits of this particular program is that participating students will have a college transcript, which is both included with the Mercy High School transcript and can be requested from NDMU to be sent directly to another college. We have eleven courses that offer dual credit, including:
- AP Language and Composition
- AP Literature and Composition
- Pre-Calculus
- AP Calculus AB and BC
- AP Biology
- Honors Physics
- Global Studies
- AP Psychology
- French 4/5
- Spanish 4/5
To enroll, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and register by November 20. Each course costs $270, and a student can take up to five dual enrollment courses within her junior and senior years, which would be equal to one semester of college credit. Dual enrollment registration takes place through the Office of Academic and Student Affairs. If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to talk with the teacher of each course, or with me.
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Finally . . .
This week, we have no special schedules and a straightforward calendar, which includes advisee and class meetings during Magic Time. At the end of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar, we really do have an ordinary week. Despite being ordinary, let’s try to be like Blessed Antona Ebo, who modeled integrity and courage throughout her life. That should be our ordinary challenge!
All the best for a terrific, albeit cold, week!
Sincerely yours,
Jeanne A. Blakeslee
Principal
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