Catherine McAuley, Founderess of the Sisters of Mercy, was born in Dublin, Ireland, about 1786. A lay woman from a wealthy family, Catherine was distressed by the poverty and plight of the peiole she ovserved around her. Inspired by the example of Jesus in his love for the poor and the afflicted, she gathered a group of like-minded women around her. These women were later to become the Order of Mercy.

In 1857, Mary Baptist Russell left Ireland with 7 other Sisters of Mercy and journeyed to California's Gold Country. Here their successors continue to meet the needs of the uneducated, underserved, marginalized and vulnerable in partnership with the Mercy Associates.

In July of 2008, the Mercy Regional communities of Auburn,(CA), Burlingame (CA), Cedar Rapids (IA), Chicago (IL), Detroit (MI), and Omaha (NE) all joined together to become the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - West Midwest Community.

This combined Community consists of a little less than 900 Sisters of Mercy and more than 500 Mercy Associates and Companions in Mercy.

This new combined community continues to be part of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, an international community of Roman Catholic woman vowed to serve people who surrer from poverty, sickness and lack of education, with a special concern for women and children.

Omaha, Nebraska will continue to be the primary administrative headquarters each of the regional communities. Each community will continue maintaining an active presence in their areas, serving 32 states and 4 countries.

These existing ministries will continue to serve the needs of their communities as they have for many years.