HISTORY The Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community is one of six Communities of The Sisters of Mercy, a Roman Catholic religious order, that comprise the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The Mid-Atlantic Community was established on January 1, 2007, with the uniting of the regional communities of Brooklyn, Dallas, Merion, New Jersey and New York. The stories of the former regional communities are rich and diverse; the heritage and charism of Mercy are common to all. Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831 to serve the poor, sick and ignorant. The seeds of Mercy planted by Catherine McAuley sprouted quickly and Mercy foundations were established worldwide.