Sisters of Mercy Host Panel at Mount St. Mary Academy
Religious sisters visited seniors in Little Rock to share vocation stories and memories of their high school years.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Catholicism
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Six Sisters of Mercy met with seniors at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock on October 7 to discuss their personal religious vocations. The event featured sisters from the United States and the Philippines, five of whom are alumni of the school.
Why it matters
The gathering provided students with the opportunity to explore potential religious vocations through direct interaction with the sisters. Organizers hope these personal narratives will offer guidance to young women discerning their future paths.
The panel included six Sisters of Mercy who traveled from as far as the Philippines to participate. Mount St. Mary Academy, where the event occurred, has been operating since its opening in 1851.
The players
Sister Deborah Troillett
She is a former principal of Mount St. Mary Academy who shared her high school memories during the panel.
Sister Rose Marie Tresp
She serves as a member of the Sisters of Mercy Justice Team and participated in the student panel.
Sisters of Mercy
This is a religious order of Catholic women who serve in various ministries across the United States and internationally.
Mount St. Mary Academy
Located in Little Rock, this institution is a historic Catholic high school for young women.
The details
Students gathered in the school gymnasium to hear personal mementos and anecdotes from the religious women regarding their own high school experiences. The panelists included Sister Deborah Troillett, a former principal, and Sister Rose Marie Tresp, who serves on the Sisters of Mercy Justice Team.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: The Noshin' with Nuns event took place at the school.
1851: Mount St. Mary Academy first opened its doors.
1964: Sister Deborah Troillett won a religion trophy during her time at the academy.
Culture Shift
The school's new initiative follows the pattern set by the traditional Catholic model of discernment through religious community mentorship by formalizing face-to-face interaction between students and sisters. This move highlights a renewed focus on connecting younger generations with long-standing religious traditions through personal storytelling.
Students at Mount St. Mary Academy can expect this to become a recurring part of their school calendar as organizers plan to host different religious orders monthly. Future events will expand access to include students from all grade levels.
The takeaway
Engaging directly with mentors allows students to see the personal human side of religious life. Implementing consistent community gatherings can help institutions better foster discernment for their students.
What happens next
The school plans to transition this into a monthly event open to students from all high school grades.
Further reading
Learn more about local religious life on the Catholicism page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arkansas Catholic.
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