Monday, November 23, 2015




Skype Event

This past June, Ms. Gianna Iannucci, Ms. Jean Pepitone and I traveled to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana to participate in a week long seminar offered by the Institute for Church Life entitled “Science and Religion: Strangers, Rivals, or Partners in the Search for Truth?”.  Catholic high school educators from around the country were selected to participate in this seminar which explored the relationship between Science and Religion. “Science teachers will learn how theological insights can be used to inform some of the typical topics in biology and religion teachers will explore how scientific findings can help inform and enhance their appreciation of God’s physics, while creation” (Institute for Church Life)



The experience presented an opportunity to not only enrich our courses, but form relationships and network with educators at the University of Notre Dame and other institutions of higher education.  In particular, we had the pleasure of meeting Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, the Director of the Vatican Observatory 



One benefit of the relationships formed was the opportunity to Skype with Br. Guy on Wednesday, October 28.  The Mercy High School stage was set with our large screen and members of our Astronomy club seated to the side.  The auditorium was filled with the entire Mercy High School student body, members of the Xavier High School Astronomy club and grades 5 through 8 at St. John Paull II School in Middletown.  Our technology team facilitated the call which included a camera on students asking the questions, a camera on the auditorium audience and Br. Guy live from the Vatican in Italy.  

Xavier High School Astronomy Club

Mercy High School Astronomy Club

Rev. Erik Lenhart, OFM Cap and Rev. John Gallagher, OFM Cap
from St. Pius X Parish in Middletown


You can watch the event on our You Tube channel at:  Vatican Skype Event    The entire video is approximately 45 minutes in length but well worth the time you take to view it.

Events like this, show the great benefit that technology can bring to our students.  Br. Guy opened the world up to those gathered that day.  We could truly feel his passion for God as seen in our universe and hear his invitation to find ourselves in it.  

We continue to use Skype as a tool to facilitate communication.  On December 4 our Library Club will be “Skyping” with a similar group at Mt. St. Mary Academy, in Watchung, NJ,   a Sisters of Mercy sponsored High School.  They will be discussing Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, a book that both groups have read in common.  

I look forward to seeing the other creative ways that we can use programs such as “Skype” to enrich and broaden our experiences and world view.

Upcoming Events:


·         Thanksgiving Break:  There will be no school November         25 – 29, 2015

·         Mercy/Xavier Drama Production:  
           A Christmas Carol:  will be presented on Thursday, December 3 and Friday, December 4 beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $8 and available for purchase online or at the door.

·         Mercy/Xavier Advent Mass and Breakfast will be held on Sunday, December 6.  Please check the website to make your reservation and find information concerning our Christmas Poinsettia sale.

·         Winter Concert:  Come hear our various choirs and musical ensembles perform on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mercy Auditorium.  It is a great way to ring in the holidays!