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!