A strong ethic of service to others shapes the spirit of St. Denis School and is woven into the curriculum from Pre-K to 8th grade. This charism of service and compassion flows from the Sisters of Mercy who headed the school for 80 years. It is the driving force of our core values.
At the 7th and 8th grade levels, this Mercy spirit culminates in the Mercy Ministers Program, a vital St. Denis tradition now for fifteen years. Our older students voluntarily serve the greater community by visiting or tutoring off campus or with service here at school. The program enjoys 100% participation each year. Faculty site moderators and parent drivers form the backbone of the service club by offering supervision and transportation for the monthly trips. The Mercy Ministers Coordinator, a member of the faculty, organizes and directs the program, with an eye towards improvement and expansion of its activities.

Service Assignments and Sites
Outreach sites host monthly visits for students who choose to interact with the elderly, tutor younger students, or befriend people with special needs. These sites include: Mercy Court Residence for the Elderly, Divine Providence Village, Project MERCY after-school program, Dunwoody Village, and Haverford Estates. Other students prefer to: lend a hand in the school office; assist faculty as classroom technology or Kindergarten aides, or as members of the
Recycling Committee. A dedicated group of officers and group captains give their energy and
assistance in maintaining the program throughout the school year.

Program Activities
Mercy Minister Officers and Captains take pride each November in collaborating with the Student Council to promote and organize the annual 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Thanksgiving food drive. Both teams enjoy packing and delivering the completed baskets to Project HOME in Philadelphia, where they are given to deserving families to brighten the holiday celebration. In December, all Mercy Ministers generously sign on as Santa’s helpers for the 48 children in the Project MERCY after-school program. Each child receives a gift as well as a hat, scarf and gloves. 8th grade “elves” put on the finishing touches at a “wrap party” on December 6, St. Nicholas Day! During Catholic Schools Week, the Recycling Team sponsored a poster contest
to keep us mindful of the importance of conserving and reusing our resources. The money raised through the recycling effort (initiated by an 8th grade student) helps support Program projects during the year. Our Mercy Ministers are role models for our younger students, who, in turn, actively engage in age-appropriate service of their own