With the stress of finals and dealing with the pressure to scour Metro-Detroit for a date to the Christmas Dance, most Mercy girls have a lot on their plate this time of year. Their nerves, however, are eased as they sing Christmas carols with their teachers.

Dec. 18 was Mercy’s annual Red and Green Dress Day, when students eat a special breakfast with their advisor groups , share gifts and candy canes, and sport their ugliest sweaters. However, perhaps the most anticipated activity of the day is the Christmas Assembly.

“It makes me feel proud of all of the teachers that I love,” said senior Elizabeth Lee. “I love seeing them being goofy and fearless. I like seeing the teachers that I know are retiring.”

The holiday season is a time to feel kindness and love, and the students and staff at Mercy certainly do. The Mercy community is a close one, but it truly becomes family at the Christmas Assembly.

“It makes me feel really connected to the people I work with and students,” said math teacher Patricia Perry. “I love Christmas time . . . it makes me feel thankful for family and what I have. I like to reflect and appreciate and tell the people I love that I love them.”