Although most Mercy students may be in the media center on Friday mornings reviewing for their last tests of the week, junior Olivia Collins can be found in the chapel participating in Faith on Fridays (FOF).  Collins learned about FOF on the announcements and decided to go with a friend.

“Looking back, I’m really glad I went,” said Collins.  “It has helped me a lot and gave me what I was looking for and more at a time when I needed it most.”

FOF gathers every Friday between 7:35 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. in the chapel to openly discuss faith, accompanied with Tim Horton’s donuts.  A group of five seniors facilitates the discussion and anyone in the student body is welcome to participate.  Meetings vary from reading Scripture, to listening to worship songs, and sharing personal stories about faith.

“I like that FOF is a small group of people that can discuss their faith together,” said Collins.  “Everyone is so nice, friendly, and welcoming.  The people that lead FOF have good faith.  I always learn something from them and I feel like my faith has grown a lot.”

Collins is a faith-oriented individual who focuses on her faith by participating in community service and attending non-mandatory retreats, like junior retreat.  Going to FOF has encouraged Collins to pray more than just in religion class and at 8:20 a.m.  FOF has also given her more knowledge and reason behind her faith, which satisfies her inquisitive nature.

“By the end of the week, I’m always tired and just want to go home and sleep, and I think FOF is a really good way to start the last morning of a week,” said Collins.  “FOF has strengthened my relationship with God by encouraging me to think more about my faith. It also has allowed me to meet new people at Mercy who are strong in their faith, and are good role models and people to look up to and who really live out their faith.”