In September, Mercy schools in Jamaica celebrated the legacy of our Foundress Catherine McAuley who opened the first House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland on September 24th, 1827. This year, our theme, “The Cloak of Mercy: From Many Homes, One Mercy Family – Wrapped in God’s Love”, envisions God’s Mercy as a cloak which shelters, unites, and calls us to be compassionate towards others.
St. John Bosco Vocational Training Centre marked the occasion by allowing students to watch the “In God Alone” film about Catherine McAuley. Afterwards, students reflected on how they can best become a cloak of Mercy for others by practicing forgiveness, patience, understanding and more. The many ways in which Mercy can be shown to others were written by students on handmade cards which were then placed on trees (with each tree symbolizing the Cloak of Mercy).
Other schools celebrated throughout the week, with Alpha Academy receiving an inspiring talk from Father Kingsley-Asphall who encouraged students to carry a proverbial “Mercy kit” each day which contains a kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand, and a readiness to forgive. Beyond this, Dr. Antoinette Tijani Alou (a Jamaican-Nigerien academic, writer, and past student of the Academy), paid a visit to fourth form students for a special talk. Having experienced the Cloak of Mercy at Alpha, she shared about her time at the school and offered words of encouragement to current students.
Alpha Infant School launched its own Mercy Circle club – a group which will focus on promoting and exemplifying the Mercy mission and the work of Catherine. There are plans being developed to eventually establish a club of this nature at several other Mercy schools in the country. On another note, Jessie Ripoll Primary School held a special mass and road march to celebrate not only Mercy Week, but also the school’s 46th anniversary. Beyond these school-based activities, a number of Mercy Associates held a tea party for a time of fun and fellowship as they reflected on the impact of Mercy in their own lives.
All in all, it was a Mercy Week to remember!
