During the month of September, Lauralton Hall religion classes poured their hearts into a special project: creating no-sew fleece blankets. Each blanket was crafted with care, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose, reflecting our commitment to living out the Mercy tradition in concrete, meaningful ways.

On Mercy Day, these vibrant, handmade blankets surrounded the altar during our school-wide Communion service, a powerful and visible reminder of the work of our hands and hearts. As part of the celebration, Caroline Paine ’26 led the community in a heartfelt blessing over the blankets, praying:

"May those who receive these blankets know they are seen, they are valued, they are part of your beloved family— not strangers, but neighbors beneath the same merciful cloak."

Following Mercy Day, the blankets will be donated to IRIS, a New Haven–based non-profit that welcomes, supports, and empowers refugees and immigrants as they begin new lives in our community. These blankets will accompany families during their resettlement journey, offering not just physical warmth, but comfort, dignity, and a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar place.

Each blanket is more than a service project—it is a message of love and solidarity, a tangible reminder that mercy is not just a word we say, but an action we take. In making and blessing these blankets, we follow in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley, who urged her community to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable with compassion, courage, and joy.