As Mission Week 2025 unfolded at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, our community came together to reflect on one of the Critical Concerns of Mercy: Immigration. This year’s theme, “Embracing Our Call: Exploring Immigration with Mercy and Justice,” urges us to look beyond headlines and statistics and instead embrace the lived experiences of those seeking a better life. This year, our community urges you to push aside closed-minded views and opinions on immigration and attempt to approach this topic with a faith-based perspective.
The week kicked off on Monday with an assembly led by Sr. Bernadette, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of immigration through the lens of mercy. Alumna Fiona Powell (‘18) shared her insights, offering a firsthand perspective on the complexities of immigration. Students were then able to engage in a Q&A session, fostering necessary conversations to shed light on a serious subject. From Tuesday through Thursday, immersive immigration activities took place during WIN periods, guided by faculty and students. Each student was required to attend at least one of these activities, ensuring that the entire student body actively participated in this critical discussion. These sessions provided interactive and thought-provoking experiences designed to deepen our understanding of the struggles and hopes of immigrants. Finally, Mission Week culminated on Friday with a closing prayer service and an advocacy activity during WIN periods. This powerful conclusion encouraged students to move beyond awareness and take tangible steps toward justice. By engaging in advocacy, students explore how they can use their voices to support fair and humane immigration policies.
The Sisters of Mercy call us to recognize the dignity of every human being, especially those who are marginalized. Mission Week serves as a reminder that immigration is not just a political issue—it is a matter of human rights, compassion, and justice. As we navigate these discussions, may we remain committed to the values of Mercy, using our knowledge and empathy to make a difference in the world. On behalf of the student body, we thank Sr. Bernadette and every staff member who helped this week come to life and ensured our education is intertwined with faith-based current events.
