Mission & Service

Mission &

SERVICE

JUSTICE LITURGY

This year’s Justice Liturgy featured guest speaker Dr. Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, Founder & Executive Director of Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), a Latino cultural arts, education and social justice program in Half Moon Bay. ALAS assists agricultural workers on the coast and was our partner in Operation Project Pies this past Thanksgiving. A powerful moment during the Justice Liturgy was when Mercy students, faculty, and staff held up signs lending their voice for the voiceless communities that are important to them.

CONGRATULATIONS

MERCY STUDENTS

The following students received Commendations from the City of Burlingame for outstanding community service! Adora Pitcock '21, Pamela Xiang '21, Kallie Ung '22, Kate Reeve ‘23, Audra Rodgers '24, Chloe Cox '24, Jaylyn Remolona '24, and Michelle Guzman '24. They participated in The Burlingame Collaborative Intergenerational Project during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The project entailed students being paired with a Burlingame elder, who they interviewed on what it was like to grow up in Burlingame and asked for a recipe. Students wrote a report on their interviews, and a special "Cooking Up a Friendship" cookbook was created.

What was once just a quick passageway to the senior lounge or cafeteria has been transformed into a sacred space. A Mary Grotto has been constructed, transforming the thoroughfare into a place of quiet prayer, reflection and peace. In the midst of a busy school day, students and staff can pause for a moment to bring their cares and concerns to Our Lady of Mercy in hopes of being granted her enduring peace.

KAIROS 19

Senior retreat leaders, under the direction of the Campus Ministers, prepare and conduct the three-day Kairos retreat which is traditionally for the juniors. This year we were grateful to offer our seniors their Kairos retreat after COVID forced it to be canceled last year. Kairos provides the opportunity for students to K reflect on their relationship with themselves, others and God. The word Kairos means God’s time. Kairos gives students the opportunity and time to allow God to work in them and through them. airos

CLOSING LITURGY

We were thrilled to be able to pray with and celebrate the Class of 2021 at our Closing Liturgy. Seniors gathered in the Great Hall as the liturgy was livestreamed to the rest of the school community. Nataly Lara ‘21 shared an inspiring reflection, which was the heart of the service and it concluded with our traditional honor guard for the seniors led by Lynne Miller, bagpiper. The entire student body greeted and cheered on the Class of 2021 as they exited the Kohl Mansion. Visit www.mercyhsb.com/campus-life/graduation for the recording of the livestream.