Class of 2017 vs Faculty and Staff
Congratulations to the OLM Junior D1 Girls CAL Basketball Team. They were crowned RI State Champions today after defeating St. Philip's Parish Team. Pictured below is the team with Coaches Steve Basler and Brenda Verdi. Great job! On to the New England Tournament!
OUR LADY OF MERCY STUDENTS REACH OUT IN MERCY DURING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS’ WEEK
East Greenwich, RI - Students at Our Lady of Mercy School reach out to others on a regular basis, through acts of kindness within the school community and beyond. During Catholic Schools’ Week, students did just that and more. At the Warm Hearts and Warm Wishes Event held on Friday evening, January 27, in addition to enjoying “breakfast for dinner” and music and games, students created placemats which will be laminated and shared with the residents of Heart of Mercy Home in Honduras. The project was led by the “Friends of Mercy” group at OLM. The Friends of Mercy also coordinated two additional collections that were generously supported by the OLM School community: games for McAuley Village and warm hats and gloves for the Midnight Moment Outreach in Providence.
All throughout Catholic Schools’ Week, in advance of the Super Bowl, the school collected canned soups and other non-perishables for the OLM Parish Outreach Program. On Wednesday, February 8, students who had correctly guessed the Super Bowl’s final score helped deliver over 12 crates of soup and 7 crates of non-perishables to the “Mercy House” at OLM. From there, they will be distributed to the less fortunate in the area. Doug Green, Coordinator of the OLM Parish Outreach Program stated, “The OLM School family is always very generous to our outreach efforts. We are extremely grateful for this generous outpouring of support and mercy which will be shared with our neighbors in the community.”
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic elementary and middle school education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School offers its students an opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich provides a nurturing, values-driven environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Our Lady of Mercy Teams qualifyat First Lego League Qualifying Tournament
East Greenwich, RI -- Two of Our Lady of Mercy's First Lego League Teams have qualified for the Rhode Island First Lego League State Championship after their outstanding performance in the Qualifier at Portsmouth Middle School on Saturday, December 10. First Lego League provides youths with an introduction to Robotic Engineering and real-world problem-solving skills. Each team that competes must design a solution to a real-world scientific issue and program a robot to perform lego mechanism missions autonomously in a timed competition. This year's theme is Animal Allies.
olmroboticslandsharks2016
OLM’s “Team Land Sharks” is trying to reduce the amount of sharks killed from bycatch. Through research and visits from local experts, these students have found that shark populations are diminishing at a rapid rate. To keep our Ocean food chain healthy and in balance, sharks need our help. In New England, many livelihoods depend on fishing and our students think they have a solution that is helpful to sharks and easy to adapt by current deep sea fishermen and women. They have engineered a prototype that can be retrofitted onto existing nets/hooks. These students believe they can repel the shark's electroreceptors (ampullae de Lorenzini) using these magnetic "dots”.
The “Microchip Megalodons” from OLM are trying to save our Tree Swallow friends. Many say watching swallows in the sky is like watching a ballet. People flock to migration sites to watch these birds perform their natural sky dance. Some are facing a bit of a problem, however. They have found homage in an invasive species of phragmites. The Microchip Megalodons have designed a way to get rid of the phragmites without disturbing the tree swallows’ homes. Using the school's 3D printer, they have made a model of a new bird condo that can house the same thousands that now live in the phragmites.
These two teams have done an excellent job on their projects and worked tirelessly programming their robots. OLM’s remaining teams, Crabby Crew and Parrot Pals, have also been hard at work preparing for their competition at the Pier Middle School Qualifying Tournament on December 17th. Crabby Crew is a middle school team that has an innovative solution to an invasive Asian crab species. The Parrot Pals, OLM's first all girl team consisting of 4th and 5th graders, want to help our Parrot friends that many times outlive their owners.
The First Lego League State Championship will take place on January 14 at Roger Williams University from 12-3 p.m
OLM SCHOOL WALKATHON RAISES OVER $13,000FUNDS USED FOR PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL
East Greenwich, RI -- The Annual OLM School Walkathon, which was held on Thursday, October 5, raised a record of over $13,000, which will be used towards special projects throughout the school. Students in Grades Pre-K through 2 walked just under a mile around the immediate church/school property while the older students did a two mile walk down Post Road, to Cedar and Kenyon Roads and then back to OLM via First Avenue. Students collected pledges from family and friends, with prizes being awarded to the top pledge-earners in each grade. As they far surpassed the school-wide goal of $12,000, the entire school was treated to ice cream treats on Thursday, October 13. Students who brought in the highest amount in pledges received OLM tote bags filled with OLM paraphernalia and gift certificates to Hill Top Creamery in East Greenwich and Launch Trampoline Park in Warwick. Class individual winners included: PK3: Olivia Cioe ; PK4: Lily Slocum; K: Lola Berube; 1: Helen Mita; 2: Kathryn Colgan; 3: Veronica Coffey; 4: Mary Mita; 5: Michael Mita; 6: Austin Kairnes ; 7: Ryan Youngs; 8: Alise Knudson. “Joey” the Kangaroo from Launch was happy to give the students high fives before they set off on their walk and upon their return. At the conclusion of the walk, students were treated to an outdoor awards assembly with water and snacks. A grand prize raffle drawing was held with the lucky winner, eighth grader Malcolm Verdi, of North Kingstown, receiving a $150 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and $25 gift card to Piezoni’s Pizza in East Greenwich. He will also have the privilege of being Assistant PE Teacher for the Day with a Subway lunch with Mr. Stefanik. First Grader Collin Franchina won a $56 gift card to Launch and a Launch t-shirt, socks and other items. Funds raised each year by the OLM PTG, from events like the Walkathon and the annual Spring Fling Auction, are used for various enrichment opportunities like Field Trips, Google Chrome Books and technology enhancements, the Art Masters Program, robotics,Mock Trial, CAL sports and more.
OLM Boys Cross Country Wins State CAL Title& OLM Girls Win Second Place CAL Title
Team Wraps Up Season with South Division CAL Championships for both Boys and Girls
The OLM Middle School Boys’ Cross Country Team captured its second consecutive State Title at the CAL State Meet at Slater Park in Pawtucket on Wednesday, October 16th. The OLM Girls finished an impressive second, also for the second straight year. Seventh grader Ryan Dobrzynski placed second, eighth grader Chad Doorley finished third and Nick Mueller placed sixth from OLM on the boys‘ side. Brittany Caskey, an OLM eighth-grader, placed fourth at the state meet. Other top OLM girls finishers at Slater Park included Emma Shaw, who placed 12th and Lauren Salvadore who was 15th. During an awards ceremony at the start of the meet, it was announced that both the OLM Boys and Girls teams had won their second consecutive South Division Titles of the Catholic Athletic League after winning all of their weekly meets at Goddard Park. Under the direction of coaches Mary Beth Campellone, Fiona Hanlon, Lisa Meehan and Kathy Moren, the 65 runners in grades 6, 7 and 8 have been practicing twice a week since August. The team had its annual year-end banquet on Sunday, October 27th at Quidnessett Country Club.
Please join us as we celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit to open the new school year at Our Lady of Mercy School.
Friday, September 2, 2016 at 9:00AM
Our Lady of Mercy Church Fr. Bernard A. Healey Celebrant & Homilist
Fr. Joshua A. Barrow Concelebrant
The Statement of the Most Reverend Kevin J. Farrell Bishop of Dallas
"The magnitude of the violence in downtown Dallas Thursday night is staggering. Five police officers were killed and seven other officers and two civilians were wounded in a deadly spate of gunfire at the conclusion of a peaceful march protesting recent killings of black men in Baton Rouge and Minneapolis.
Our first concern is for the families who have lost loved ones in this tragic attack. We pray for consolation and healing for both the families and those killed and wounded. We are reminded of the ever -present danger to those who are dedicated to protecting us.
We have been swept up in the escalating cycle of violence that has now touched us intimately as it has others throughout our country and the world. All lives matter: black, white, Muslim, Christian, Hindu. We are all children of God and all human life is precious.
We cannot lose respect for each other and we call upon all of our civic leaders to speak to one another and work together to come to a sensible resolution to this escalating violence. Let us implore God our Heavenly Father to touch the minds and hearts of all people to work together for peace and understanding.
Let us recall the words of Pope Francis, “May the God of peace arouse in all an authentic desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence cannot be overcome with violence. Violence is overcome with peace.”
Let us Pray for the City of Dallas and all those suffering there:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Bishop Tobin has announced the appointment of Father Joshua Barrow as the new Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church. His appointment is effective July 1, 2016. We thank Bishop Tobin for sending us Fr. Barrow. As you know there is an ever increasing shortage of priests and to get a second priest is rare luxury for parishes. So please be sure to thank Bishop Tobin and also please commit to praying for more priestly vocations for our diocese. Fr. Barrow is sure to be a great blessing for our parish. He is just 27 years old and full of zeal, energy and very eager to begin his priestly ministry here at OLM. He is a native of Warwick where he was educated at the public schools and graduated from Pilgrim High School. He grew up in St. Timothy Church in Warwick. After high school, Fr. Barrow entered Our Lady of Providence Seminary and graduated from Providence College with a B.A. in Philosophy. Bishop Tobin then assigned him for priestly formation and theological studies to the North American College in Rome. Father was ordained a priest in June 2015 and then returned to Rome for graduate studies. After completing an S.T.L Degree in Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas this past spring, he was assigned to OLM. I am sure you will give him your usual warm welcome to OLM. Father Barrow begins his priestly service here on July 1st. Welcome Fr. Barrow!
The Friends of Mercy group at Our Lady of Mercy School in East Greenwich, RI recently collected hundreds of new and gently used books for Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence. The program is designed to have books in waiting rooms for children who are waiting for an appointment. The new books are given to children to take home following a doctor's visit, particularly those children from low income homes where there are no books for them. The OLM parish family also contributed to the collection. Although the children didn't actually count all the books, there are over 20 large boxes waiting to be delivered by truck this week. Under the guidance of Sister Jeanne Barry, RSM, OLM’s former Principal; Kristen Soucie, Mercy Associate; and Jean Perretta, OLM 5th grade teacher, the Friends of Mercy participate in a variety of spiritual and service-oriented projects throughout the year. The Friends of Mercy group is open to students beginning in Grade 4 who wish to learn more about the spirit and life of Mother Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Monthly meetings are held after school and usually have a threefold agenda: prayer, a teaching on Catherine McAuley and an activity which connects the students with those in need. Some of the outreach projects include connecting with Mercy run orphanage in Honduras, making Thanksgiving cards to accompany the parish Thanksgiving baskets and raising money to support a family suffering from a fire. Once a week a student reads a quotation from Catherine McAuley during the morning prayer. An ongoing project within the school is raising awareness for the need to care for earth by recycling.
Our Lady of Mercy School’s Science Olympiad Team, made up of nineteen 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, placed second in the middle school division at the RI State Science Olympiad Competition at Rhode Island College on Saturday, April 9, 2016. After a two year hiatus from the competition, OLM students proved they remain a force to be reckoned with, tallying 4 gold medals and 3 bronze. Out of 24 teams, OLM finished in the top 10 or higher in 19 of the 22 events. Points are awarded based on the teams’ finish in each of the 22 events.
Gold Medal Winners included:
Mission Possible (Grace Pelletier & Tim Moren)
Disease Detective (Maddie Knudson & Ishita Rai)
Green Generation (Tim Moren & Ben Kane)
Scrambler (Collin Caldwell & Casey McQuesten)
Bronze Medal Winners:
Experimental Design (Susie Mueller, Tim Moren & Ben Kane)
Anatomy & Physiology (Susie Mueller & Brooke Mattos)
Bridge Building (Casey McQuesten & Mike Hanlon)
Please note that the Mass on Anticipation on Saturday Evening moves from 4PM to 5PM beginning on Saturday, April 2, 2016.
Confessions on Saturday Afternoons move from 3PM to 4PM.
Birthday Blessings to Mrs. Claire Sharpe who turned 106 on April 1st!
She received a special visitor on her birthday, Bishop Thomas Tobin!
Bishop Tobin also celebrated his birthday on April 1st!
Happy Birthday to them both!!
Homily delivered at the Easter VigilOur Lady of Mercy Church The Very Reverend Bernard A. Healey, Pastor March 26, 2016
I lived in Belgium for five years when I was a seminarian studying for the priesthood. I lived at the American College in Louvain, just outside the City of Brussels. I still have many friends and acquaintances there. They are safe as far as I know from those I have had contact with over these last days. The recent attacks in Brussels are the cause of great outrage and anger, profound grief and sorrow for the Belgian People and for the victims and their families, and all people of good will and peace. The senseless attack upon innocents is a great horror which has provoked great fear and it is the cause of great doubt for many. Darkness has overcome the Kingdom of Belgium and we live in its sinister shadow. There is, my friends, great need of light, the light we celebrate this night, the light of Christ that scatters all darkness and destroys death.
In 1993 when I was a student in Belgium. I saw the Funeral Mass of Baudouin, King of the Belgians. He was a reluctant monarch, becoming King
only after his father King Leopold III abdicated. He was a man of deep faith, very devout and faithful Catholic. Once on a visit to our seminary Baudouin revealed that he had really wanted to spend his life in prayer and devotion as a Trappist Monk put God called him in another role as King.
During King Baudouin’s funeral something remarkable happened. His widow, Queen Fabiola, sat among the Belgian Royal Family, the Crown Heads of Europe, the Presidents and
Prime Ministers from out the world. They were there to pay their respect and offer their prayers for the late King and were dressed in solemn black befitting the funeral of a King. The Queen of the Belgians, herself a devout Catholic, however, wore a dazzlingly bright white dress, so deeply did she believe in the hope of the Resurrection and so profoundly did she understand the power of Christ the light of the world.
My dear friends, you and I are believers too. And for those who believe in and trust God, life has meaning and purpose, found in the virtue of hope. Evil may have its moment and darkness may have its day but in the end nothing evil ever has a chance of being victorious for those who accept God’s light and love into their lives. Tonight we celebrate the great feast of Easter. This feast of faith is for us. For as believers we celebrate our victory through Christ, with Christ and in Christ. This is not nonsense, it is not superstition nor is it a fable.
Christ’s resurrection is a reality, the empty tomb a fact of our lives as believers! We have been buried with Christ in baptism, so that we may rise with him to a new life! That is our hope: eternal happiness and total union with the Sacred Godhead. This is what St. Paul tells us this Holy Night in his letter to the Romans: “We were indeed buried with [Christ] through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” (Romans 6: 4)
The resurrection of Christ gives us the power to be a people of love and hope, in a world that is in desperate need of 
both. The resurrection of Christ gives us faith and light, in the midst of doubt and in the heart of darkness that is the evil in our world. Basking in the light of the resurrection, we can begin to see this world we live in as a place where we make pilgrimage toward something higher, more permanent, and more splendid. Only the risen Christ can bring us to complete union with God, to the place where our own powers are unable to bring us. Truly Christ the Good Shepherd puts the lost sheep upon his shoulders and carries them home. Clinging to his body we have life, and in communion with his Body we reach the very heart of God.
This is exactly what happens in Baptism: he draws us towards himself; he draws us into true life. The Risen Christ leads us through the often murky sea of life, where we are frequently in danger of sinking amid all the confusion and perils. In Baptism he takes us, as it were, by the hand, the Lord leads us along the path that passes through the Red Sea of this life and introduces us to everlasting life, the true and upright life. My friends especially you eight to be baptized, received and confirmed tonight into the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Grasp his hand firmly! Whatever may happen to us in life, whatever may befall us or our world, let us not ever lose our 
tight hold of his hand! Let us walk along the path holding tight to the hand of the Risen Christ, making our way to newness of life. Yes, we know that the Christian pilgrimage is at times up-hill, we know that sometimes we easily get sidetracked by selfishness and sin, or overcome with the burden of pain and suffering, and even at times we are lost amidst the darkness and fear. Yet we endure. We endure in hope. We endure in faith.
Yes we endure our pilgrimage my friends because what awaits us at that final destination is: Endless glory. Perfect peace. Everlasting joy. Jesus Christ risen!
A Blessed Easter! Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!
Over the February Vacation Week OLM Teacher, Kelly Jackson, traveled with students of Bishop Hendricken High School to Rome, Florence and Assisi. Among the BHHS students were three OLM Parishioners and OLM School Alums:Daniel Legare, and Chukwudi and Chukwuma Onyejose. The students sang at St. Mark's Basilica, the tomb of St. John Paul II, the tomb of St. Peter, the chair of St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St. Francis Basilica and at Father Connors Alma Mater, the Pontifical College of North America. A link to a video posted by the Arts Director of the young men singing at the chair of St. Peter. Pictured above is Ms. Jackson with the three boys. Pictured below is Daniel Legare singing wth the BHHS Choir at St. Peter's Basilica. (Photos courtesy of K. Jackson)
https://www.facebook.com/richie.sylvia.3/videos/10100449791481589/
OLM School and Parish Families Reach Out to Refugee Families In Need
East Greenwich, RI -- On Monday, December 21, a group of OLM School, the OLM CAL Basketball Teams and Parish Families
joined Pastor Father Bernard Healey and Associate Pastor Father Ryan Connors on a trip to the Diocesan Immigration and Refugee Services Office. Their cars were filled with coats, hats, gloves, other clothing items and gift cards which were to
be delivered to fifteen refugee families resettled by the Diocesan Office to Rhode Island. The families resettlement was 
coordinated by Catholic Migration Services Office at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and come from 
Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea , Bhutan, Liberia, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba and Ghana. These refugee families are fleeing
political repression, religious persecution, or suffer as a result of a natural or economic disaster. They arrive to Rhode Island with few possessions and are helped by the Diocese of Providence. Several 
of the families including one who have recently come to RI from Afghanistan received the delegation of OLM school children and families. Earlier this month, Father Healey called upon the OLM Community after have been contacted by Stella Carrera, Diocesan Coordinator of Immigration and Refugee Services. She informed Fr.
Healey that the 15 families were in dire need of assistance as they transitioned to life in Rhode Island. In its usual generous fashion, several members of the community asked “what can we do to help?” As Father noted, “These refugee families come seeking a better life with nothing but the clothes on their backs. To see the families from OLM reach out to make them feel welcome truly embodies the true meaning of Christmas. It was truly wonderful to share the true gift of
Christmas, the gift of love, that is the Christ Child.” The project was the second time in as many weeks that the OLM community came together as Pope Francis has called us to do during this Jubilee Year of Mercy; to reach out to show Mercy to those in need.
OLM Robotics Team Qualifies for State Championship
East Greenwich, RI -- On Saturday, December 12th, Our Lady of Mercy School’s Recycling Rhinos First Lego League Team competed in its first qualifier and advanced to the Rhode Island FLL Championship event. The qualifier, held at the Ricci Middle School in North Providence, included 20 teams of students in grades 4-8 from around the state. Students have been working since September on the project and robot game to help find a solution to the overwhelming amount of trash we produce. Under the guidance of coaches Bea Lukens and Pam Burdon, The Rhinos worked hard finding a problem they could solve, and an overabundance of chip bags were an evident problem right here in our school. The students found that, because of the material they are made from, chip bags are not recyclable. The school was producing at least two large garbage bags full of chip bag debris each week. On a mission to reduce what was going into the trash, the team found ways to reuse the chip bags and even had a school-wide contest to raise awareness. The students made reusable shopping bags, eclectic purses, earrings, and so much more with their creative minds and trash treasures. All in all the students have seen a reduction in the amount of single serve chip bags coming from the cafeteria and now only collect 1 bag a week. The students will spend the next month before the championship tournament on January 16 at Roger Williams University to find an even better solution for the chip bag waste. In addition to the project, the students must compete in a robot game designing and programming a robot to do tasks on an 8’ by 4’ table.
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic elementary and middle school education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School offers its students an opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich provides a nurturing, values-driven environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Photo ID: OLM Recycling Rhinos Team Members include, l to r, Margaret Cooney, Isabelle Crescenzi, Brielle Bamberry, Brendan Donoghey, Levi Burdon, Blake Sykes, Blake Lukens, Kyler de Bont, and Elle van Meeteren (not pictured)
OLM Families Open Year of Mercy with Outreach Project; Assemble 20,000 Meals in Under Two Hours
East Greenwich, RI -- On Saturday, December 12, following the 4:00 p.m mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church, over 100 parishioners gathered to kick of the 
Year of Mercy with a parish-wide outreach project. The event, sponsored by Catholic Relief Services Helping Hands initiative and hosted by OLM, was the second of its 
kind at OLM, and was a tremendous success by all accounts. In just under two hours, those in attendance packaged 20,000 meals for the hungry and poor in Africa. According to Pastor Father Bernard Healey, “Feeding the hungry is a corporal work of mercy and lending a helping hand to the good work of Catholic Relief Services in providing food for those who live in hunger in Africa was a great start to the Jubilee Year of Mercy here at OLM. It was an amazing evening as the OLM school families and parishioners of all ages joined together in a spirit of mercy as they packed 20.000 meals for CRS. I think Pope Francis is very proud of OLM Parish!”
Bishop Tobin Opens Jubilee Year of Mercy with Mass and a Visit to Our Lady of Mercy School
East Greenwich, RI -- Bishop Thomas Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, visited the Our Lady of Mercy Parish and School Community on Tuesday, December 8. He began with the celebration of Mass at 9 a.m., honoring the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It also marked the opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, as declared by Pope Francis. During the Year of Mercy, the Pope has called upon the entire Church to reflect on God’s mercy—His love for those who are suffering, those who are in need, and those who are afflicted by sin. He has called for a renewed commitment to God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Penance. He has also asked that we gain a deeper understanding of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
As is typical at an OLM school mass, students did readings, sang in the choir and served at the altar. Immediately following the mass, the entire student body gathered in the sanctuary for a group photo with the Bishop. Immediately following mass, the Bishop visited several classrooms and encouraged all of
the children to remain close to God and to continue to keep him in their prayers. He prayed with them, some sang for him and all had several questions for him. In his typical humor, he added a plug for his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers on more than one occasion.
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic elementary and middle school education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School offers its students an opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich provides a nurturing, values-driven environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day Meal
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this special day, a day to remember Your goodness to us. Thank You for a roof over our heads, and more than enough food to eat. Thank You for the family You have given to us, for family and friends who have gathered together to eat this Thanksgiving Day meal. Thank You for the gift of faith and the gift of gratitude. Bless our food, the gift of Your bounty, and Bless our time together. May all power and glory be Yours now and forever. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
