Introduction

Since arriving in the United States in the 1840s, the Sisters of Mercy have played a major role in the education, health care, and human service systems of the Pittsburgh region and beyond. A number of members of this aging order possess precious knowledge of the history and spirit that drove significant accomplishments (e.g., founding hospitals, schools, and universities) that continue to affect the lives of thousands of people. While a number of written accounts and oral histories of religious sisters exist, this project captures the stories and perspectives of approximately a dozen of the outstanding Pittsburgh Sisters of Mercy. Principally, the project hopes to inform, inspire, and shape the lives and actions of current and future Carlow University students, as well as others who are interested in the work of the Sisters. These digitally recorded interviews, transcripts, and photographs of the Sisters may be used as primary data sources for students and scholars to explore interests in history, literature, women’s studies, philosophy, theology, social work, sociology, and other academic disciplines. Possible projects include the production of websites, theme-based podcasts, and various interdisciplinary blogs.

Background

James M. Kelly, PhD, LSW, Professor Emeritus, Carlow University began this oral history project as a follow-up to his dissertation on the role of the charitable mission of the Sisters of Mercy in the management of non-profit hospitals. To understand the Sister’s modern impact on charity, it was necessary to explore the history, mission, and traditions of the order. Of particular interest was the story of Catherine McAuley – from her gentle birth through her well-to-do upbringing, to her steadily increasing attraction to the plight of the poor, to her founding of the Sisters of Mercy, and her resulting legacy of generations of Sisters. Mother McAuley has served to inspire attitudes of devotion to the charitable mission of the Sisters of Mercy.​

This project is based on the presumption that the stories of Catherine McAuley and the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy have had power in shaping the lives and work of living Sisters who have embraced this mission of charity. The Sisters included on in this project engaged in individual interviews conducted and recorded by James Kelly beginning in 2003.

Maureen Crossen, Professor Emerita (Theology), Carlow University, joined the project in 2019 to expand its scope by articulating its “Mercy” context. “Mercy” for the Sisters of Mercy and their institutions incorporates a response to the needs of those who suffer and are oppressed. In this sense it is “misericordia,” mercy that comes from the heart of misery. Dr. Crossen is also involved in promoting the project through the avenues of the Sisters of Mercy.​

Rachael Afolabi Royes, Adjunct Faculty at Carlow University (former Executive Director, Digital Learning, Workforce Development & Innovation), worked with Jim Kelly to reenvision and build this project into a digital oral history platform, that can be used for research and inquiry using data tools.