On Friday, September 8, 2017, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Robert C. Evans, the Auxiliary Bishop of Providence, celebrated the Opening Mass of the School Year for the Our Lady of Mercy School community. Father Bernard A. Healey, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church, served as the homilist and Father Joshua A. Barrow, Associate Pastor, served as the Master of Ceremonies. During the Mass, the parish school teachers were formally installed by Bishop Evans as Members of the Our Lady of Mercy School Faculty for the year 2017-2018. Also Sister Jeanne Barry, RSM, Retired Principal of OLM School, was recognized for her 60th Anniversary of Religious Profession as a Religious Sister of Mercy and Sister Lourdes De Leon, FAS, OLM Pastoral Assistant, was also recognized for her 25th Anniversary of Religious Profession as a Franciscan Apostolic Sister. Following the Mass, Bishop Evans formally blessed the newly installed OLM School Sign.
Sister Jeanne Barry, RSM and Sister Lourdes DeLeon, FAS are congratulated by the OLM School children on their annivesaries of relgious profession.
Bishop Evans prepares to bless the newly installed OLM School sign.
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.
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.
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. 
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!
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.
