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The Legacy – Oct. 25th
We connected with a Mercy Alum from the Class of ’49. She told some funny stories of being taught by the nuns from many decades ago!!!
 Foodlink – Oct. 24th
1x/month on a Tuesday night, Mercy has a volunteer slot. This time we helped fill bags for underprivileged kids to bring food home for the weekend in their backpacks from school.
  Cameron Community Ministries, Oct. 24th
Reading and one-on-one homework help positively impacts these elementary school children who attend #54 school during the day.
   House of Mercy Homeless Shelter – Oct. 19th
4 Sophomores helped serve dinner on Thursday night. Adult chaperones, Mrs. Purcell and Mrs. O’Mara helped as well! A heartwaming experience!
And 4 McQuaid students came along as well and help rake leaves outside.
     Ronald McDonald House – Oct. 18th
Pesto Lasagna Rolls & Brownies on the menu for the families
whose children are at Golisano Children’s Hospital
     Bethany House – Oct. 14th
On a Saturday morning, these 7 high school students enjoyed helping organize baby clothes, canned goods and feminine bags.
      Valley Manor – Oct. 11th
On their 1/2 day of school, 5 Freshman spent time with the elderly decorating Pumpkin cookies and playing BINGO.
     Cameron Community Ministries – Oct. 10th
Helping these grateful and joyful elementary children with their homework!
  SPIRIT DAY CANNED GOODS –
Friday, Sept. 29th
We made HISTORY! Over 33,000 canned goods and mac-n-chs was collected by the entire high school. All food was donated to Sister Regis Food Cupboard, House of Mercy Homeless Shelter, Bethany House, and St. Andrew’s Food Cupboard. Thank you to EVERYONE who helped…students, parents, faculty & staff!!!!!!!
                             Hildebrandt Hospice Cookie Baking – Sept. 27th evening
         The Legacy – Sept. 27th afterschool
Enjoying some games with our friends.
     
Helping the senior residents with simple household chores with a smile and a dog : )
    
      
   Mrs. Johnston gifted this cake the evening she served!
         
   
          
 
 
 She’s wearing a “2-Tu”
  She’s wearing “Jammies”.
   Mr. Wayne helping out his Host-daughters, Carmen Tian and May Tang.
 
     The LEGACY – March 1st    INTERVOL – February 16th     
 
 Sr. Donna Del Santo, Mr. Infield (Ashley Cumming’s Dad), Angel Yang, Lex Klimek, Ashley Cummings, Hannah Bauman, Elizabeth Hanley, Summer Mills, and Sr. Marilyn Pray with McQuaid students.  At Morningstar Foster Care helping the medically fragile children.
     At Bethany House helping in the baby clothes room.
       At night, hanging out at the Retreat House, listening to Sr. Barbara talk about civil rights and the non-violent resistance in Selma and her experience in 1965!
   
      
 Madison Wood -10th and her family.
 Juniors, Natalie O’Hern, Katie Anderson and Ashley Cummings These children were particularly happy, polite and grateful!!! We had a lot of tender moments and fun times tonight helping the kids make Winter crafts!!!
    CAMERON COMMUNITY MINISTRIES – 1/14  Joe’s Brooklyn Pizza donated 17 boxes. Awesome company to be so giving!!!
       
        
 
        INTERVOL – Dec. 13th      BETHANY HOUSE – Dec. 8th      
THE LEGACY – Dec. 7th  
  
  
 
      FOODLINK – Nov. 15th  
       
 Baking cookies and learning about Hospice!  A big group tonight making Halloween crafts with the children at this Catholic Family Center run emergent housing shelter for women and their children.
       
 Freshman: Francesca Sorbello, Juliana Hess, Carolina Filgueiras and Caroline Thomas with volunteer coordinator, Josephine, at Angels Of Mercy.
 Paige Spiehler and Trinity Roman-Preston
 Anna Miller, Carolena Hernandez, Madeleine Oehling, Jacquelyn Plouffe, Mrs. Spiehler, Ariel Wang, Maggie Sak, and Kaylina Plummer.
  Bonding over Beans!!!  Madeleine found her new career in TAPING!
 Paige Spiehler and her mom!
 Very productive young women!!!   BINGO time at The Legacy!     Helping out at Fairport Baptist Homes  
 Joan Crowley ’18, Katie Holdsworth ’20, and Maddie Kammholz ’20 along with their mothers!
 ….and Jacquelyn Plouffe ’20, Jada Pickett ’20, Ramitha Jonnala ’18 were also up EARLY bringing smiles!!!
  Jada and her sister, Diamond.
Sanctuary House – Oct. 5th  Francesca Sorbello, Miceala Deutsch, Jennifer Dappen, Jennifer Pacheco, and Elena LaRocco had a fun night playing with kids at this Homeless Shelter for women and their children. During and after multiple mishaps and silly situations, they had great a perspectives, great attitudes and had a great time!  Julia Cilano ’19 and her mother, Betty Cilano, enjoying baking!   Spirit Day Canned Good Competition  This year…11,116 cans were collected in total. SENIORS WON bringing in over 6000 cans. But, really, who is the real winner…Sister Regis Food Cupboard, along with St. Andrew’s Food Cupboard, Dimitry House and Bethany House recieved all these cans. At least 14 carloads and MANY students, staff and parents helped carry each and every can!              THE SENIOR COLLECTION
 THE SOPHOMORE COLLECTION
 THE FRESHMAN COLLECTION
 THE JUNIOR COLLECTION
 AND…THE COUNTERS!
       
 
  Mrs. MaryKathryn Dappen with daughter, Jennifer, 9th grader!
 Bethlehem FINALLY beat Mr. Bob in Wii Bowling.  Ms. Toni, Mercy Alum from the 2nd graduating class is 102 yrs. old and doing quite well. She tells us how lucky we are that we are at Mercy!!!
 Field of Honor – Sept. 9th, 2016   
 Freshman, Taylor Loiacono and Madeline Marr enjoying the sunshine.
 Mr. Quinn making PB&J sandwiches with everyone…
 Seniors, Zoe Pienkoski, Violet Dong, Julia Klimek, Aimee Clayton, and Sarah Masri…we will miss you next year 😦
  Have you ever made so many PB&J’s at once?
  The Assembly line of Brown Bag lunches!
 Traci Loiacano (mother of Taylor ’19) organizing the line.
 Mrs. Jackie Pawelek and daughter, Julia ’18, making sandwiches
 Ella Paris ’19 with her grandmother, Mrs. Paris, a Mercy Alum!!!
 Our students in action
 Mrs. Eileen Phillips (center) with daughter, Taylor ’19 (to the right) organizing the entire assembly line.
 Mrs. Candace Michel (sitting on left), mother of Chloe ’19, held everyone together with the sandwich baggies!
 Sophomores, Ashley Cummings, Hannah Bauman, and Maddie McIntee relaxing after making all those brown bag lunches!
 Freshman, Taylor Phillips, Chloe Michel and Sabrina Dursunova relaxing too 🙂
 Juniors, Pam White and Angie Siguenza, helped deliver the 100 brown bagged lunches after the Passport Pizza Party.
 Sophomores, Madeline Fasano and Leah Koonmen, with her mother, Mrs. Sue Koonmen preparing a yummy fruit salad.
 Maddie McIntee ’18 with her mother, Mrs. Karen McIntee laughing together.
 Madeline Fasano ’18 with her mother, Mrs. Laura Fasono, enjoying each other.
 It’s very early…Lauren Karpinski with her beloved cup of coffee!
  Jennifer Pacheco, Angie Siguenza, Pam White and Lauren Karpinski making summer crafts with the children at this emergent housing shelter for women and children.
    Sweet friends, Bethlehem Terefe and Hannah Baumon (both Sophomores), walking back to Mercy in the sunshine.
HILDEBRANDT HOSPICE – Tues., May 17th  Sophomores, Angie Hines, Julia Trapani and Megan Latas having fun baking cookies!
 Angie Siguenza and Pam White making beds for guest about to arrive.  Elaina Trapani matching everything together to help the room look pretty!
 Sorting Toilettries to put into little bags to give to women.
 Sorting diapers to give to women and their children.
 Pet Therapy for the Senior residents!!!
 Julia Klimek, Elisabeth Hanley, Lexi Klimek and LaRue Heutmaker – a fun-filled night!
TUTORING @ School No. 4 – May 2nd
 Sophomores: Hannah Bauman, Ramitha Jonnalo and Megan Latas enjoying tutoring students!
TUTORING @ School No. 4 – April 19th  Jennifer Pacheco ’17, Anika Fischer ’19 and Erin Taffe ’17 with elementary students.
 Anika Fischer tutoring a student!
 Addie Weidner ’16 enjoying fun-learning time with students.
 Ella Paris ’19 and sister helping move items
 Angie Siguenza ’17 helping unload.
 Addie Weidner ’16 and Ella cleaning!
 Katie Giugno ’18 and sister Laura ’20 helping cleaning too!
 Mr. Mark Paris volunteering with his daughters!
 Mrs. Laurie Giugno volunteering with her daughters!
 Katie Sylvester ’16 and Angie ’17 – the best organizers!
 Sophia Randazzese, making sure all the toys work : )
Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center – Tuesday, April 12th
 We always have a good time…Lauren Karpinski ’16 testing out her strength mixing cookie dough!
 Chloe Michel ’19 and Sophia having fun!
 Chloe and her mother, Mrs. Candace Michel (Mercy Alum) preparing to serve the cookies to people at Hospice…bringing joy and comfort through baking
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE We spent a Sunday afternoon preparing Lasagna and Brownies for 30+ people staying there. There are 24 rooms and all but 3 were occupied for Sunday night. Our cooking hopefully filled their bellies and warmed their ailing hearts as they are coping with going to/from Golisano Children’s Hospital.  Jen Geck ’16, Dori Rizzo ’19, Jasmine Xu ’19, Christine Shen ’19, and Addie Weidner ’16
helped make 2 HUGE Lasagna’s
 Jasmine and Christine came all the way from China to meet Ronald McDonald himself!
 Q: What do you do when the brownies are too gooey to serve?
A: Eat them!
  Mrs. Donna Rizzo with her daughter, Dori.
 IN ACTION!
 Ashley Cummings ’18, Hannah Bauman ’18 and Julia Klimek ’16 organizing TONS of food!
  
 Angie Siguenza ’17 (with her mother, Mrs. Lendi Siguenza) and Madison Voelker ’19 (with her mother, Mrs. Sarah Voelker)
 Angie reorganizing the linen closet!
 Ava Esquier ’16 and Madison cleaning up the kitchen
 Two awesome moms reorganizing the diapers closet.
 Our Mercy crew with Bethany House staff members, Trudy and Sue!
Ms. Toni Culross is our beloved Mercy Alum from the 2nd graduating class. She will turn 101 years old on March 24th. Sophomores, Bethlehem Terefe, Hannah Bauman and Katie Hobler enjoyed an ‘interview’ visit with her. Stay tuned for the stories from the 1930s!
 
 Thanx to Jennifer Pacheco, we had GREAT crafts for the night!
 Lindsey Green enjoying her time!
  Mercy girls at work!
 Mrs. Randazzese had a BIG job of holding a very sleepy one month old!
 TUTORING – March 15th
At George Mather Forbes School No. 4, we help students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade with their homework. Friendships are being made!
 This student was so interested in Shirley Xing ’18 being from China.
 Pam White ’17, Angie Siguenza ’17 and Sabrina Dursunova ’19 helping a student with Math.
FAIRPORT BAPTIST HOMES – March 8th   Solomia Laba and Melissa Cook helped out walking this sweet dog!  Mrs. Pawelek with daughter, Julia (far right) and friend, Katie Anderson.
 Mrs. DeBiase with daughter, Carley.
 Katie and Julia wishing they could snack on the food : )
 Madison Devlin, always a show-woman, having fun!!!
 Thank you Madison, Katie, Julia, Carley and Candice for helping sort TONS of food!!!
Good Morning!!! Early Saturday morning, these girls rose out of bed on a weekend to cook breakfast for the families whose children are at Golisano Children’s Hospital!
 Ava Bianchi and Lauren Karpinski prepping the Broccoli (yes, broccoli!) for breakfast.
 Caroline Fjermedal and Kelly Murphy…the master breadcrumbers!
 Sarah Bauch and her father, Mr. Jim Bauch!
 Marissa Bianchi and Sarah prepping the Fruit Salad!
 The Man, himself!
 Ashley Cummings and Hannah Bauman…creative minds!
 Lindsay Green and Lauren Karpinski helping the kids.
 Erin Taffe enjoying some St. Patty’s Day fun!
 Jennifer Pacheco, Sara Ciurca and Ashley Cummings
  FOOD LINK – Feb. 4th  It is AMAZING how grocery stores like Wegmans gives the food that they can’t stock on their shelves to FoodLink to feed those in need. Bernadette Bruu and Maddy McIntee helped unload and organize boxes and boxes and boxes of food.
 Mr. Bob and his Beauties….always enjoy learning Wii Bowling Strike techniques!!!
 Ms. Anna and her lovely Rummikub ladies.
 Bernadette Bruu using her artistic skills with Patty Jo.  Ms. Rose and her lovely Rummikub partners…it was a stressful game!
Our 1st time tutoring at this inner city school. We helped Kindergarten-5th graders. We can’t wait to go back. We’ll tutor every other Tuesday!!!
 Erin Taffe helping a Kindergartener! 6 Juniors from each school spent the weekend with the Sisters of St. Joseph Volunteer Corps in the city of Rochester(near St. Boniface church). Active service at Bethany House and Saint Joseph’s House of Hospitality all day Saturday was the main focus. Students walked away from the weekend with a refreshing vibrancy in their faith!!! A special thank you to Sr. Donna Del Santo, Sr. Marilyn Pray, Sr. Lorraine, and Sr. Barbara who live in community and offer their leadership, time and prayer all weekend. Juniors: Angie Siguenza, Olivia Ortega, Jane Brennan, Pam White, Joyce Ding and Allison Seymour
  Angie Siguenza, Olivia Torres and McQuaid students went through PILES of baby donations in the attic. They were VERY proud that they accomplished organizing this HUGE mess.
  Our blessed Lunch Time at Bethany House!     MARY’S PLACE – Jan. 28th This refugee outreach community center NEEDS shoes and clothes for the refugees that come here to Rochester from their native countries with nothing. We came on a Thursday afternoon after school to organize all the donations.
    
 
 Painting Nails and baking brownies on a cozy Saturday afternoon! 
Bernadette Bruu and Ruth Crowley baked ‘the best’ Chocolate Chip cookies and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies for the families of those who are dying here. They brought their smiles and kind words in to some patient’s rooms.
Isabelle Stockman, Ava Esquier, and Bernadette Bruu helped put Christmas decorations away for the elderly. Truly, a monumental task for some…made easy and joyful by the Mercy Girls!
 
  Violet Dong, Marisol Hooks, Mandy Hooks & Dawn-Marie Sullivan, Katie Anderson & Julia Pawelek taking a phone call with the lost banana!, and Maddie McIntee
Kneeling in front: Kelly Murphy and Elisabeth Hanley
  10th grade FUN…Katie, Julia, Maddie and Elisabeth!
      
 Carissa Pompa and her mom, Andrea Sciortino and her mom, Maria Trifiro, Mandy Hooks, Taylor Phillips and her mom!         
 Hannah Tette, Ella Paris, Megan Reilly & Hannah Cormier THE LEGACY – Dec. 2nd  Cady and Carly love to Wii Bowl with Mr. Bob!
 Group Rummikub game!
 RUMMIKUB Winners! YAY!
FAIRPORT BAPTIST HOMES – Dec. 1st   
 
 Erin Taffe, Sophie Lu, Sophia (Mrs. Randazzese’s daughter) and Micaela Deutsch layering the Lasagna!
 Salad Makers…Mrs. Deutsch, Arielle Atmosfera, Lauren Karpinski, and Lily Hyde
 Sauteeing the meat…Ava Esquier and Lauren Karpinski
 Erin Taffe, Elena DiFante and Micaela mixin up the cheese
 GO Micaela! A true chef!
 Brownie time with Salem Hagos, Sophia and Sophie!
 Violet Dang, Lily Hyde, Lauren Karphinski, Faith Snipes, and Micaela Deutsch enjoying baking cookies!!!
 WOMEN’S PLACE – Nov. 12th  Julia Klimek, Arts Director extraordinaire!
  Jennifer Pacheco enjoying helping the kids.
    Arielle Atmosfera cleaning up after our fun.
BETHANY HOUSE – Weds., Nov. 11th
On their day off of school, 11 students cooked lunch, helped clean/organize, enjoyed an afternoon at this housing shelter for women and their children.
 Homemade Mac-n-cheese…
 Taylor Phillips and Marisol Hooks mixin’ up the cheese.
 Marisol and Mandy Hooks dishing out the yummy Mac-n-cheese
 Brownie time with Solomia Laba, Julia Klimek, Sophia, Shirley Sun and Sophie Lu
 Serving Time!
   Our clean-up crew…Laura Seeger, Marisol, and Ava Esquier
 Sabrina Dursunova has a new friend 🙂
OPEN DOOR MISSION – Sat., Nov. 7th   Mandy Hooks, Claire Wildman, Mrs. Phillips, Taylor Phillips and Alex Hetterich making (not eating) the yummy PB & J sandwiches.
   
 Madeline Berl, Tatum Szalay and Carley DeBiase enjoying the FoodLink Fun!
 
 We love Rummikub!
 And BOCCE Ball!
  
 We did a lot of gardening on Tuesday for a lovely older woman.          
       FAIRPORT BAPTIST HOME – Oct. 20th
We love helping the elderly with odds-n-end jobs around their homes!
 Sarah Masri, Cecelia Hoskins and Solomia Laba reorganized this linen closet
for a 93 year old woman!
 Fun with a selfie!!!
Solo, Aimee Clayton, Mrs. Randazzese, Cecelia Hoskins, Cherry Wang and Sarah Masri.
Over 100 Mercy students, athletes from the Volleyball & Tennis & Crew teams, friends, families and Alum gathered together and walked to help raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. There was tons of support and this event in Rochester alone raised $655,000! Team Circle of Mercy helped raise over $2400. Enjoy the pictures of those who braved the cold weather!!!  “Warming up” with Jazzercize!
            PASSPORT DAY – Weds., Oct. 14th   Preparing a warm and welcoming bad for a woman to find comfort and safety!
            
      
   Getting ready for Halloween!
          Peter Mares, Director of La Casa enjoying filling up his car for the Migrant Farmers! He is so appreciative of our giving to his Sodus, NY community.
           The BIG group of muscles, smiles and tired bodies at Sister Regis Food Cupboard. Sr. Julia is grateful for all the donations to help feed the poor in this neighborhood in the city’s Northeast community.
 And THANK YOU to our fearless leaders, Mrs. Johnston and Mr. Quinn for helping us all
clean up in the Gallery!!!!
The LEGACY – Sept. 23rd
 Lily Hyde learning from ‘the pro’!
THE LEGACY – Sept. 9th      
 Meghan Keyes, Lauren Karpinski, Sophie Lu, and Julia Klimek
   THE LEGACY – June 3rd    
Affectionately called FBaps, 11 students made it out for our LAST day this school year…we helped sooooo many elderly residents with their gardening, washing windows, walking their dog, vacuuming…we accomplished so much and the residents were truly happy…lots of our students have said that they want to continue visiting here over the summer…  We are women hear us ROAR!          Hannah LaDuca, Lauren Karpinski, Meaghan Adler, Vivian Serrano and Mrs. Randazzese
 Whippin’ up some good eggs, Hannah!
 Lauren and Meaghan preparing the ham.
 Vivian, the Master Fruit Chopper!
 A BIN FULL of clothes to Mary’s Place!!!
          
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| It’s like family…at Mary’s Place…Julia Klimek, Maddie McIntee and Mayami Mahmoud enjoying!! |
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| Mayami Mahmoud, Sharon Subba and Maddie McIntee having loads of fun! |
FOODLINK – May 21st
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| Erin Henry, Sharon Subba, Ashley Cummings, Tharinee Khumkhaw and Mayami Mahmoud |
THE LEGACY – May 13th
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| Mrs. Randazzese’s daughter learning Wii Bowling from the PRO – Mr. Bob! |
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| Shirley Sun, Emily Piccirilli, Nina Swan, and Olivia Ortega playing Wii bowling! |
MARY’S PLACE – May 12th
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| Erin Henry reading to this young boy! |
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| Samantha Waidl and Lucy Glover enjoying some tutoring. |
HILDEBRANDT HOSPICE CARE CENTER – April 28th
Cookies always heal an ailing heart…
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| Hannah LaDuca, Cecilia Hoskins, Crystal Jiang, Aimee Clayton and Violet Dong…THE BAKERS!!! |
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| Sophie Lu, Cecilia Hoskins, Mayami Mahmoud, Aimee Clayton, Addie Weidner, Lulu Al Matook, and Violet Dong met and listened to Peter Dupre. Mr. Dupre is a WWII veteran. He taught us about the Battle of the Bulge and how he was a medic. He shared stories of how is family benefitted from the GI Bill. He went into great detail of how he travelled with Journalist, Tom Brokaw in the Honor Flight to Belgium this past Fall. He is a true gem and spoke passionately about his life story! |
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| Violet and Lulu helping and vacuuming! |
MARY’S PLACE – April 14th
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| Cherry Wang waiting her turn! |
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| Fun in the sun! |
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| Cherry Wang, Carlie Clarcq and Danielle Raymond with Mary’s Place kids… |
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| Julia Klimek always having fun playing jump rope! |
Deirdre Kelly, Junior, helped organize this event where 3 Mercy students donated their hair (for cancer patients to recieve a wig) & 12 McQ students/teachers shaved their heads. Our very own, Mr. Yandeck (Social Studies teacher and Varsity LAX coach) challenged the team to raise $1250. They completely surpassed that goal. CONGRATS & THANK YOU to everyone involved…Many families and Teens Living with Cancer will benefit greatly!
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| Deirdre did it! |
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| Leah Noonan, Program Coordinator for Teens Living with Cancer, Rochester Div. |
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| McQuaid students and Theology teacher, Mr. Whelehan, before the shave! |
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| Mr. Whelehan, are you sure? |
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| Alex Vincent did it! |
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| McQuaid’s Latin Teacher, Mr. Morales, did it! |
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| Thank you, Mr. Cavacos, McQuaid’s Dean of Academics! |
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| Way to go, Hannah Nation! |
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| Lauren Spiker, founder of Teens Living with Cancer. |
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| Our faithful hair sweepers!!! |
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| Mrs. Randazzese’s daughters helped eat up all the goodies the LAX team made. Over $200 was raised in baked goods alone! |
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| The organizers…Deirdre Kelly, Leah Noonan, Mrs. Randazzese & Mr. Whelehan |
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| Our 3 Hairdressers who donated their time ALONG with our 16 hair donors and head shavers! |
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| Did he really do it? |
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| Great job, LAX team! |
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| All of these people raised over $100 each! |
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| Lookin’ mahvelous, ladies! |
Bringing some spring sunshine to the kids at this emergency housing shelter.
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| Julia…our Arts Director! |
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| Maureen Zhu, Ruth Crowley, Meghan Keyes, Julia Klimek, and Katy Peng showing their Spring Bulletin Board |
Ms. Toni, Class of 1933, celebrates her 100th birthday with our Mercy girls!!! She was overjoyed with our love and friendship. She said that she is so happy and that she doesn’t feel 100. She shared several times how grateful she is to be a Mercy girl and to have been given the opportunity to work at Mercy as a Tuition Secretary |
| Therese Mack Randazzese ’89, Lizzy Glynn, Danielle Raymond, Cherry Wong and Meg Hobler with Ms. Tony. |
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| “Mr. Bob” (Sr. Sheila Stevenson’s, RSM, father) with his Mercy girls |
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| Aimee Clayton, Violet Dong, Hannah LaDuca and Alex Raymond baked incredibly yummy and perfectly round cookies all while discussing life and laughing along the way! A lovely evening!!! |
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| Sophie Lu havin’ fun with the children! |
The children were so happy to play outside on this beautiful sunny day. First we helped them with their math homework and read to them. Then they wanted to go outside in the warmth and sunshine. We jump roped, played tag and ran around…
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| Violet Dong, Lindsey Ellison, Cecilia Hoskins, Aimee Clayton, Molly Blinn and Sophie Lu with our French friend. She is lovely to talk with and listen to all her adventures of raising 8 children with her husband of 65 years!!! |
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| Ms. Millie’s eyes and energy lit right up when we played LCR with her. She is so interested in the students asking them all sorts of questions about their goals, college, and life. At 89, she is quite fun to be with!!!! |
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| Laura Huff, Charlotte Kurzweil, and Katie Hobler playing Rummikub with Ms. Tony and Ms. Rose. |
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| Kameron Baxter and Emily Piccirilli = Fun times with Mr. Bob! |
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| Everyone’s nails looked FABulous, thanx to Megan Hobler, Emily Yancone and Lizzy Glynn! |
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| So loving and fun here with children…Sharon Subba, Rachel LeFebre, Kaitlyn Lisena and Bernadette Hayes. |
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| Emily Piccirilli, Emma DeAngelis, Lindsey Ellison, Katie Hobler and Lizzy Glynn enjoying Rummikub! |
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| Emily Piccirilli learning how to play Rummikub from Ms. Toni & Mr. Bob. |
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| Twins? Nina Swan & Olivia Torres |
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| Mayami and Sharon helping with Math homework! |
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| Lolwa reading with this young boy! |
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| Bryahna helping with homework. |
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| Mayami, Cherry, Sharon, Bryahna and Lolwa making connections. |
Juniors: Julia Klimek, Victoria Brooks, Grace Adams, Katie Sergeant, Charlotte Kurzweil and Laura Huff spent this past weekend with the Sisters of St. Joseph Volunteer Corps in the city of Rochester. Along with 5 McQuaid Juniors, they each participated in active service at Mary’s Place Outreach, Bethany House, and Morningstar Foster Care. After an entire weekend of service, prayer, fun, getting to know new friends, and learning about a closer relationship to God…these students are ready for more in life!!! A special thank you to Sr. Donna Del Santo, Sr. Marilyn Pray, Sr. Lorraine, and Sr. Barbara who live in community and offered their leadership, time and prayer with us all weekend.
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| Julia, Charlotte, Katie and Laura off to their day of Service Sat. am. |
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| We are off to Bethany House, Mary’s Place and MorningStar Foster Care… |
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| Laura and Jordan helping this young girl who is blind with many disabilities. She loves to hear music and voices and move around in her walker/stroller! |
Fun Playing Spoons!!!
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| Fun playing cards during some ‘down time’. |
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| And Dominoes! |
Acting out some Bible stories!
Acting out the Good Samaritan.
Funny Faces!!!
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| Julia Klimek was our Arts & Crafts Director Extraordinaire again! Angie Siguenzo, Jenn Pacheco, Katie Hobler, Katie Giugno, Ally Mastrangelo, and Deirdre Kelly helped bring smiles and creativity to the children. We made Gingerbread Houses and Christmas crafts. |
We baked and decorated Christmas cookies with the women here. Bethany House is a safe home for women and their children in transition in their lives. This ‘warm’ home provides shelter, prayer, food and comfort of community to women who are struggling with getting ‘back on thier feet’ from drug addiction, abuse, unemployment, etc.
Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center – Tues., December 9
Faith Snipes and Lauren Karpinski baking (and eating!) the cookies…comforting for those who are at their end of life.
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| Sophie Lu & Anna Callari |
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| Shannon Curran, Kayla Gateson, Jess Noeth, Brigit O’Brien and Kristen Smith |
Close to 50 students & adults brought lots of cheer to Holiday shoppers all day on Saturday…
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| Sam Costello & Maddy Meisenzahl |
Eleanore Barrera, Vivian Serrano and Victoria Brooks know how to have fun early Sat. morn!
Our Mercy students were waitresses for the “Dames & Dessert” contest. Our students were happy, engaging, smiley, conversational, helpful, and the elderly just love our Mercy girls… |
| Amanda Meitus serving the desserts! |
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| Meg Hobler showing us her fancy footwork |
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| Meg Hobler and Christina McAlpin greeting the residents |
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| Amanda, Lizzy Glynn, Michaela Furia, and Christina welcoming in the residents to taste the yummy desserts. |
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| Katie Hobler serving her table. |
MARY’S PLACE – November 18th
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE – Nov. 15th
Waking up early on Saturday morning to cook breakfast for the families whose children are at Golisano’s Children Hospital
FOOD LINK – November 11th (Veteran’s Day)
These fine young women spent their afternoon off of school helping fill Holiday Produce bags for the needy.
Mary’s Place – Oct. 28th
The Legacy – Oct. 22nd
HAITI Potluck Supper – Oct. 20th
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| Molly (and her mom) and Violet and Aimee enjoying the food! |
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| The Juniors ! |
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| The Juniors ! |
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| The Seniors ! |
Our team CIRCLE OF MERCY raised $560 to support all our loved ones who have been affected by Breast Cancer. We joined thousands of walkers at Frontier Field for this fabulous event!
La Casa – Oct. 15th
At the noon dismissal, these 6 students spent their afternoon volunteering at La Casa, a place that provides transitional housing for migrant farm workers in Sodus. We brought hundreds of canned food that was collected from the Spirit Day scavenger hunt. We reorganized their pantry and filled it up again. Peter Mares, director of LaCasa, an affiliate of Catholic Charities, said that whenever their pantry is low, he notices that God provides…organizations donate unannounced and it always provides comfort to the migrant farm workers and their families. 
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| Sophie Lu, Maddy Huppe, Lindsey Ellison, Julia Klimek, Maddy Meisenzahl and Hannah LaDuca with La Casa Director, Peter Mares. The pantry is full now!!! |
Ronald McDonald House
Saturday morning Oct. 4th
We woke up EARLY and made breakfast for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. We met the father of a 5 month old little baby boy who just received a successful Open-Heart surgery. It was humbling listening to this father’s story. So many families are comforted at this house and we are happy to be a part of this loving and supportive community!
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| Hannah, Liz, Eleanoren and Vivian cookin up our breakfast casserole! |
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| Sunny with her fabulous fruit salad |
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| Meg, are you making a playlist or helping us cook? |
The Legacy at Clover Blossom
October 1st
We had a big group to help the elderly with Scrapbooking. We had fun decorating and looking through pictures of all the activities they do there…canoing, swimming, rock climbing, fishing, to name a few!!!
On October’s agenda, the next few times we go….
Painting Nails and Pumpkin Carving!!!
Spirit Day Scavenger Hunt donates over 4000 canned goods to
Sister Regis Food Cupboard on Sept. 29th
We drove all the cans to the City of Rochester’s Northeast Community on Bay St. where this food cupboard feeds the needy. Sr. Julia overwhelmingly received your generosity. She has a lot of volunteers that organize the food for families to come in and ‘shop’ once a month for this ‘free’ food. What a blessing Spirit Day is to this community!!! We had a TON of Mercy students, parents, and staff helping out!!!
Hildebrandt Hospice Care
September 23rd, 2014
We enjoy baking cookies for the people who are in the final stages of their lives. Their families find comfort too in smelling the goodies and seeing our Mercy girls smiling faces. We visit and get words of wisdom from these special people!
Fairport Baptist Home
September 23rd, 2014
We help the elderly with their odds-n-end jobs.
Mary’s Place – September 16th, 2014
Fairport Baptist Home – May 15th
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| Fiona McLaughlin enjoying another dog! |
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| Fiona cleaning and helping the dog owner. |
Mary’s Place – May 8th
April 29th
Lindsey Ellison, Jennifer Geck, Boyoung Kim, Soo Min Lee, Sophie Lu, Tess Murphy, Zoe Pienkoski, and Jen Repp brought a lot of joy here Tuesday night. They baked dozens of cookies and many decorative cards for the patients who are dying and their loved ones!
Lindsey and Sophie making
Raisin Oatmeal Cookies = YUM!!!!
Zoe, Jennifer, Jen and Sophie crafting up some decorative joy.
Mary’s Place – April 24th
RAIHN – April 12th
Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network
Jess Frankovich, Sara Lozy-Lester, Sophie Lu, Fiona McLaughlin, and Erica Vienne along with parents Sharon Frankovich and Bridget McLaughlin helped at the day center. We played with the kids and helped clean the play room.
Mary’s Place – April 10th
It was a beautiful sunny day as Molly Blinn, Phoebe Conley, Fiona McLaughlin, and Amanda Meitus played outside with the refugee children. There was no homework to help with today…it was play time outside. We played hopscotch, colored with sidewalk chalk, kicked the soccer ball around, played on the jungle gym…everyone was having a lot of fun running around in the beautiful weather. These children definitely feel the love!!!!
Ronald McDonald House – April 6th
Sanctuary House – April 3rd
Julia Klimek – our master Easter Bunny crafter!
Sara Lozy-Lester playing castle and having fun.
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| Hannah LaDuca, Haley Dennis, Aimee Clayton, Mrs. Randazzese, Emily Hall, Violet Dong, Sophie Lu, Molly Blinn, Cecilia Hoskins, Ms. Andi Healy, Sr. Mary Sullivan, Emma Broderick, Gabi LoVerde, Mrs. Broderick, and Sarah Healy |
The Legacy at Clover Blossom
Our compassionate Mercy students and 4 committed adult chaperones woke up Bright & Early on Veteran’s Day to cook Trader Joe’s Pumpkin pancakes for the families.
The Legacy at Clover Blossom – Nov. 4th
AutismUp, Every Saturday Sept. 28th-November 16th
Our Mercy students have enjoyed helping children with Autism gain confidence through Gymnastic activities on Saturday afternoons. They each have formed relationships with the children and are connecting with them on a weekly basis. Our students are committed, kind and compassionate in their volunteering. They are 9th graders: Grace Rembold, Olivia Donahower, and Andrea Sciortino. 10th graders: Deirdre Kelly and Cecelia Hoskins. 11th graders: Haley Dennis, Gabby Palmerini and Megan Paulus. Scroll down below to see pictures of some of our students in action (the children througth AutismUp are not allowed to be photographed).
Here is a reflection from Olivia Donahower:
Some of the children I’ve worked with were deaf, couldn’t focus without guidance, and just plain out were independent. Every time I attend I see some different children and the same. These children can just take your heart away because you are able to grow a bond with them. Each child is different in their own way, but each and every one has their own struggles. I personally enjoy working with the more challenging children because I can watch them use their bodies and minds to complete the tasks. Sometimes, we can even join them with one of their tasks which aren’t only fun for you, but also for them.
Autism Up also brings you closer to your classmates. There are girls that I worked with at this program, that I am now able to say hello to them in the hallways at school. Also a great benefit is that there are boys from McQuaid Jesuit. This can not only bring you closer to McQuaid, but you can see if a child works better with males. Autism Up is an amazing program that can help you build up friendships and open your eyes to how children with autism struggle with everyday things.
I have my own personal experiences with autism. When I was four, I got a brother who was diagnosed with autism when he was 2. He couldn’t speak until he was five and learned at his own pace, which set him behind all of his friends at school. He also has dyslexia that puts him in a hard place at school. Over the years, with a lot of speech therapy and joining sports, such as baseball, I have watched him power through his harder struggles. Every day, you can see him have problems with his learning, but my family finds ways to help him. Autism Up does that for the parents of the children. It gives the parents a break from the children and also allows them to get help with their child’s struggles.
During the week I, personally, can’t wait until Saturday – the day when the program is held- to work with these children. Autism Up is a great way to have fun, get school credit, and make amazing friendships with people you thought you would never talk to.
Grace Rembold (9th grade) and Mary Meisenzahl (11th grade) joined me in helping out at this amazing house of hospitality. The Bethany House provides a cozy and loving emergency home for women who are homeless and need an immediate place to stay. They are provided with an abundance of food, support to find jobs and a permanent to live, and of course prayer and guidance. We are going again on THURSDAY, DEC 19th to cook dinner for them!!!
Here is a reflection from Mary Meisenzahl:
Today for the first time I visited The Bethany House, which is a safe place homeless women and their children can stay. The shelter is completely run through donations and volunteers. I was shocked by all the generosity that so many members of the community had that made a place like this possible. As I spoke to one of the residents, I was caught by surprise when she mentioned what a blessing The Bethany House had been in the lives of her and her daughter. When her daughter arrived home from school, she was able to do her homework while some of the other children staying there played. It really struck me how much these women appreciate something I take for granted, like having a safe and comfortable place to come home to.
Aimee Clayton, Cecilia Hoskins and Deirdre Kelly helped these sweet children with some homework. They played with them outside and formed pleasant friendships.
Megan Green and I broke a sweat vacuuming this huge house that provides FREE housing, meals, laundry and comfort to families whose children are receiving specialized medical care at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. We listened to a father tell us about his 6 week old daughter’s struggle for life. He was talking with us as he was playing with his 1 1/2 yr old daughter at a piano in one of the many comfortable family rooms. This story is special! Families like this are supported by volunteers like us. Everything is donated to the house, including dozens of bottles of laundry detergent, decorated bedrooms, DVD children’s movies, furniture, food, etc…. It is truly moving going on a tour of the House. Megan and I thought it’d be fun to prepare a meal for the families. They fill up fast by volunteers all over Rochester. The first available breakfast is Veteran’s Day. I also scheduled a Dinner for a Friday in December. Check the calendar for details.
Hannah LaDuca, Aurora Ramos, Meghan Paulus and her mother, Cindy, together with teachers, Sr. Karlien and Mrs. McCormack, helped deliver the 2000+ canned goods to this Food Pantry. The shelves were literally bare when we arrived. They were filled with yumminess when we left. After school, many students in the gallery that were standing around waiting for rides or their activities to start, filled 4 cars to the brim with all the canned goods. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK (AND HAPPIER PEOPLE!) It was truly a special day knowing that our Mercy students’ Spirit Week kindness have filled the hearts and mouths of the poor in the Northeast Community of Rochester.
Spirit Day – Friday, September 27th, 2013
All the High School Classes collected approximately 2000 cans for the poor. THANK YOU!!!
We helped paint bedrooms in this house for migrant workers and their families. Migrants are allowed to live in this transitional house for up to 3 months. Peter Mares (pictured painting with Carlie Clarcq and Mrs. Randazzese) manages the house through Catholic Charities of Wayne County. He has created a wonderful community for these migrant workers, their families, and the community in Sodus. On Halloween, Mercy students are invited to dress up and give out candy to the children at La Casa!!!
