2025-2026
Vision Statement
Our vision at Our Lady of Mercy is to offer every person a life-changing encounter with Jesus, grow disciples and send them on mission.
Contact Information
- Dave Miserendino | Director
DaveM@olmercy.com (331)707-5371 - Karen Schwartz | Administrative Assistant
KarenS@olmercy.com (331)707-5369
Chosen Sessions
The LIGHT CHOSEN program is designed to nourish and strengthen our high school teens (Grades 9-12) on the journey towards the sacrament of Confirmation. Chosen is a two-year process (Year 1 and 2) where teens will meet 12 times each year on a Sunday morning (8:30-10:00am) or evening (6:45-8:15pm) to explore the Catholic faith and prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Teens will also participate in a Search Retreat (Year 1) and Discovery Retreat (Year 2) as well as various service/discipleship projects to put their faith into action and worship events to grow closer to Jesus. All families should see the CHOSEN Information and Requirements link on the CHOSEN webpage or on the sheet in their student folder.
Calendars
Materials Needed
The following should be brought to each class session unless otherwise specified. They will be given to families at the CHOSEN Kick-Off event at the start of the year.
- Chosen Student Workbook
- Student Folder with journal notebook
Communication
Communication is essential for the CHOSEN program to be effective. The Youth Ministry Office will share information via E-mail (Flocknote, etc.), on our webpage, parish App, and Facebook/Instagram. Faith Mentors will also communicate with families through email or phone. Please reach out to us if you are not receiving emails from the office so we can make sure we have the correct contact information.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures for CHOSEN
Teens should enter the building through Door B and proceed to their meeting rooms on the 2nd floor of the PLC. At the end of each session, teens may exit the building through Door B or C or proceed to the Church for Mass. Please note that on Sunday mornings Mass will be starting at the same time as the end of our sessions. Parents are asked to please be courteous and safe while picking up your teen.
Attendance Policy and Making Up a Class
Teens are expected to attend all 12 sessions each year. Teen Candidates are only allowed 2 absences per year and will need to complete a make-up for that miss. Teens who miss more than 2 sessions will need to meet with the program director along with their parents.
Making up a class can be done in one of two ways:
- Attend the other session time on the weekend you are missing. Example: Your class is held at the 8:30am time and you can’t attend, then you can contact us in the office (DaveM@olmercy.com) to attend the evening class instead. This must be on the same weekend, so you cover the correct materials. This option WILL NOT COUNT as an absence from your class.
OR
- Make-up the session by getting a CHOSEN Make-Up Assignment sheet here: https://olmercy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CHOSEN-Make-Up-Assignment.pdf. An email will be sent to you from the OLM Faith Formation Office with details on the make-up work. You will be able to use either a Video Link OR Chosen DVD of the session to complete the work from that class at home. For those who will need to check out a DVD, please note that you may only be able to check out the DVD for 3 days (so others can use the DVDs if needed). The Make-Up Assignment Sheet must be returned via email or to the office within 2 weeks of the missed session. ***Please note that this option WILL COUNT as an absence from your class (Only 2 absences allowed per year).
Tuition & Fees
Our tuition structure is based on the total number of children per family in all the K-12 programs. Please refer to the following for the 2025-2026 year:
- Families with 1 child/student ($185)
- Families with 2 children/students ($295)
- Families with 3 or more children/students ($375)
Retreat fee: $175 due with the tuition for the CHOSEN Year 2. This covers the cost of the Discovery Retreat.
Discipline policy
For each member of a CHOSEN group to learn and grow in their faith, Teen Candidates and Faith Mentors are asked to:
- be considerate of the unique qualities of each other
- be respectful of the ideas and questions shared during class
- help others learn
- be trustworthy and responsible
Parents are asked to encourage appropriate behavior in class. If disciplinary problems arise with a student, the parent and/or student and director will discuss the situation and come to an agreement on the expectations going forward.
Diocesan Safe Environment Information
Please see the information at this link: https://olmercy.com/safe-environment-for-our-children/
Health and Safety
Please inform the Faith Formation staff of any special needs your student may have. This includes learning needs, allergies or medical situations that we need to be aware of to better care for your child.
Medication may not be dispensed by the Faith Mentors or office staff. If students need medication, parents must make the necessary arrangements for this situation.
Emergency Closing Procedures – Inclement Weather
In the event of severe or inclement weather, the Director of Youth Ministry will determine if classes should be held or cancelled. If there are any changes to the schedule ALL families will be contacted by email/text at least 1 hour before the scheduled session/event.