Students are called to #MakeMercyReal

Rebecca Dunphy, Staff writer

The Sisters of Mercy are calling students to #MakeMercyReal in their annual video contest, which is now underway.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the America’s Extended Justice Team, the contest is held in response to Pope Francis’ invitation to give and receive God’s mercy. The Sisters of Mercy are hoping to use this contest to expand the invitation of the pope to their campuses across the Americas.

Students high school age and older who attend a Mercy high school, college or university, or who are involved in a Mercy-affiliated ministry in another way, are all eligible for participation in the contest.
In a video which may run up to five minutes in length, participants are asked to share about one or more of the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. These are the Earth, immigration, nonviolence, racism and women.

This can be fulfilled by educating about injustice, demonstrating how a person or group has confronted prejudice in the past or highlighting the negative experience of those affected by hate. Previous entries have explored the topics of racism and the changing place of women in society.

Both the 2017 and 2018 winners, who were students from the Academy of our Lady of Guam and Mount St. Mary’s Catholic High School, chose to focus on issues relating to women. The videos specifically dealt with educational and economic inequality.

Entries are due no later than April 1. A panel of judges selected by the Sisters of Mercy will ultimately decide the winner.

Individual winners will receive financial awards, with the grand prize recipient being compensated with $500.

Videos may be in English, Spanish or require no words at all.
The videos can also be submitted as part of a class assignment, project for a club or school organization, a graduation project or independently.

It may be the perfect way for a Mercyhurst RSCO with an equality or service-oriented mission to create something very special with their club.

The winner will have the chance to not only advance the Mercy mission, but also raise awareness about a critical concern of our day and be featured on the Sisters of Mercy Institute website.

All submissions can be uploaded on the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas website, and campus Ministry is on hand with support for those who need it.