This issue of Mercy Impact is dedicated to Pope Francis.
We honor his vision of a Church that accompanies the poor with compassion, uplifts the marginalized, and journeys together as “pilgrims of hope." His legacy echoes deeply within our Mercy values—especially in our concern for Earth, our call to nonviolence, and our deep respect for the dignity of every person.
April 2025 Edition
Walking in Hope: A Jubilee Celebration
As we rejoice in the Easter season and the promise of new life, we are reminded that hope is at the heart of our faith. In this sacred moment for the global Church, we join with countless others in mourning the passing of Pope Francis and giving thanks for his life of compassionate leadership.
This year, as we continue to embrace the 2025 Jubilee Year—proclaimed by Pope Francis as a time of renewal and trust in God’s promises—we feel an even deeper call to live as Pilgrims of Hope. In honoring his memory, we are invited to carry forward his vision with renewed purpose and compassion.
In this special edition of Mercy Impact, we are blessed to share stories from our Mercy Catholic schools across the globe—each a witness to the ways our communities walk in hope. From simple acts of kindness to bold steps toward justice, from care for creation to moments of deep prayer, these submissions reflect how hope is alive in our classrooms, hallways, and hearts.
Together, let us celebrate the spirit of Easter, the legacy of Pope Francis, and the enduring light of hope that guides our Mercy mission forward.
Mount de Sales Academy
Macon, Georgia
Mount de Sales Academy students took part in the Sleepout for Daybreak, an event designed to raise awareness and funds for those experiencing homelessness in Macon. The evening began with prayer and dinner before heading downtown to Daybreak for an inspiring program, and then concluding with our students sleeping out on campus in support and to raise awareness. Participating in this event required hope for the underserved, courage and commitment, and we are incredibly proud of our students for stepping up despite their many other responsibilities.
Alpha Institute / Alpha Vocational Training Centre
Kingston, Jamaica
For over 25 years, Ms. Jennifer Golding has been a steadfast beacon of hope at the Alpha Vocational Training Centre, guiding young men from hardship toward opportunity. Despite economic challenges, she remained unwavering, offering not just lessons in literacy and trade but in resilience and self-worth. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of hope—an active, enduring force that lights the path to a brighter future, one student at a time.
Mount Saint Mary Academy
Watchung, New Jersey
The Mount’s Wellness Center offers students a refuge of peace and self-care, providing spaces for meditation, creativity, and relaxation. In a busy world filled with challenges, this welcoming environment fosters mental well-being and resilience, reminding students that hope is nurtured through moments of rest and reflection. By prioritizing student wellness, the Mount affirms that hope flourishes when individuals feel supported, seen, and empowered to care for themselves.
Mercy Montessori Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
Mercy Montessori’s Upper Elementary students (4th-6th grade) planned and hosted a Sustainability Bonanza to further our call to care for God's creation and support the Critical Concern for the Earth. Students shared many ways we can incorporate sustainability into our daily lives, including information about energy use reduction, recycling realities, waste-free lunches, and forest rehabilitation. The children also hosted fundraisers for local environmental organizations through the sale of baked goods, bracelets, seeds, and handmade seed bombs.
Alpha Primary School
Kingston, Jamaica
Our devotion theme for January was all about hope. Every teacher had the opportunity to talk about hope from the biblical point of view and in the world. We students say this acronym to remember:
H means Helping
O means Others
P means to Prepare for
E means Eternal life
One Hope project was making cards of appreciation for Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica!
Christ The Teacher Catholic School
Newark, Delaware
Christ the Teacher Catholic School students embodied Walking in Hope through their Blessing Bags initiative, collecting essential items and writing heartfelt “Notes of Blessings” for individuals experiencing homelessness. Their dedication resulted in 600 bags donated to the St. Patrick Center, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. This school-wide effort was a powerful demonstration of compassion, kindness, and the hope that small acts of service can bring to others.
Infant of Prague Catholic Nursery and Kindergarten
Mangilao, Guam
At Infant of Prague, Walking in Hope means embracing faith, positivity, and a commitment to growth within ourselves and our community. On March 16, 2025, Infant of Prague and Mercy Heights launched monthly sessions on the Mercy Charism, deepening faculty and staff understanding of Mercy values. By equipping educators with this knowledge, both schools strengthen their commitment to compassion, service, and justice, ensuring a lasting impact on students and the broader community.
Mercy Heights Catholic Nursery & Kindergarten
Tamuning, Guam
At Mercy Heights Catholic Nursery & Kindergarten, Walking in Hope is lived daily through prayer, reflection, and creative expression. Students and teachers have created an Art and Hope Wall, displaying artwork and banners that advocate for victims of abuse while serving as a powerful symbol of hope. Throughout April, the school will deepen this commitment by offering prayer intentions and wearing blue, fostering a community rooted in faith, compassion, and support for those in need.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania
At Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, students are truly "walking in hope" by addressing environmental challenges with creativity and determination. Through their Plastic2Print initiative, they transform discarded plastic into functional 3D-printed creations, turning small acts of sustainability into powerful symbols of change. Rooted in their mission of environmental justice, these efforts inspire a hopeful vision for a sustainable future, proving that hope can drive action and meaningful transformation.
Mount St. Mary Academy
Little Rock, Arkansas
All of Mount St. Mary Academy’s approximately 60 student clubs and sports teams are required to complete at least one service project each school year as a means for bringing Mercy, care and hope into our local community. This year students have crafted Halloween costumes for infants in the NICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, manned a water station for the Little Rock Marathon, hosted a friendly math competition for middle school students, placed wreaths at veterans’ gravestones, collected non-perishable food items for food pantries, and much more.
Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall
Milford, Connecticut
Lauralton Hall's Yarn Ministry is a highly creative and engaged group that exemplifies the theme of "walking in hope" as they convene monthly to knit and crochet items for local nonprofits. During these meetings, students not only work on their individual projects but also share knowledge by teaching each other new skills and refining their craft. Between meetings, participants take their projects home, dedicating time and effort to their completion, spreading hope and warmth through their lovingly crafted blankets, scarves, and small toys.
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women
Rochester, New York
For her senior Motto project, Alana LaRosa addressed childhood bullying, a cause close to her heart as a gymnastics coach who witnesses both the joy and struggles of young children. She visited her former elementary school to read a book on bullying, teaching students about kindness, inclusion, and the power of positive choices. Walking with hope, Alana’s efforts spread awareness, inspired compassion, and reinforced the importance of peace through education.
St. Catharine Academy
Bronx, New York
Following in the footsteps of “the walking sisters,” students, faculty and staff at St. Catharine Academy recently brought food, clothing and fellowship to men and women who live on the streets of New York City. Under the auspices of the Midnight Run Program, a coalition of over 200 churches, schools and civic organizations, the group met the poor and vulnerable where they are, traveling to four locations in Manhattan. Prior to leaving SCA, the group gathered in the chapel as a way to remind them of Christ's call to minister to the marginalized.
Notre Dame High School
Elmira, New York
Notre Dame High School partnered with Catholic Charities and support their annual Empty Bowls luncheon. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Samaritan Center, which is run by Catholic Charities, and will provide food and vital homeless services for people in need.
Mercy Junior College, Inc.
Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
The Ecology and Peace Club has spent the school year walking with hope, leading initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and a culture of peace within our community. They have inspired their peers to care for creation and take action against environmental harm. Their dedication to sustainability and nonviolence reflects a deep commitment to Mercy values, proving that small efforts, when united, can create lasting change.
St. Vincent's Academy
Savannah, Georgia
In honor of Mercy Day this year, St. Vincent’s Academy’s McAuley Scholars launched a Prayer Ribbon Project, where each ribbon represents a different Critical Concern, on the corner of our campus. The ribbons displayed on the iron gate are a beautiful reminder of how we walk in hope by praying for others, showing care for creation, and advocating for justice.
Merion Mercy Academy
Merion Station, Pennsylvania
For her Theology class, freshman Izzie Fallon invited our campus minister, Sister Mandy Carrier, to join her in offering her classmates an intentional prayer reset. Students were invited to anonymously write a prayer intention that was then shared randomly with a classmate who focused on that intention. Izzie included a reflection on Matthew 7:7 and then invited the class to thank God for five things. She is a sign of hope among her fellow students!
St Catherine Academy
Belize City, Belize
Hailey Alvarado and Destyn Lozano walk in hope by using their talents to create meaningful change in their communities. Hailey’s handmade reusable tote bags promote sustainability, proving that small actions can make a big environmental impact, while Destyn’s crocheted baby hats offer warmth and comfort to newborns in the NICU, bringing hope to families in difficult times. Their efforts show that hope is not just an idea but something we actively create through compassion, creativity, and care for others.
Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica
Over the past few months, our Mercy schools have answered our call to be Pilgrims of Hope through acts of community service such as visits and donations, both. cash and essential items, to local shelters by St. John Bosco Vocational Training Centre and Alpha Infant School. Furthermore, Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha” has prepared and distributed meals to the homeless at the Marie Atkins Night Shelter.
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
Chicago, Illinois
Through the Macs with Mercy program, Mother McAuley students walk in hope alongside Mercy Circle residents, including many Sisters of Mercy, by sharing acts of service, creativity, and kindness. Each month, students and seniors come together to create meaningful projects, many of which support a local food pantry in nourishing families in need. This intergenerational bond fosters a legacy of hope, as wisdom, stories, and encouragement are exchanged between past and present members of the Mercy community.
Waldron Mercy Academy
Merion Station, Pennsylvania
Waldron Mercy Academy recently established an in-school Chapel as a symbolic center of the school community, speaking to our intention to have Christ as the center of the school. The chapel honors Waldron Mercy’s graced history, blessing the present and celebrating our enduring spirit and hope. This month, our Kindergarten classes visited the chapel to “do as Jesus did” and wash one another’s feet as a sign of humility and service to others.
The content of this publication is submitted by our Mercy schools.
Thank you to all who contributed!