About

Mission & History

Our Mission & History
A History of Empowerment

For nearly a century, Mercy has prepared young women to achieve the highest level of success— in college, in their careers, and in their communities. Mercy gives young women the confidence to take on the world.

Our Mission

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, is a Catholic institution devoted to holistic 6-12 education.

We embrace students from diverse backgrounds and commit to being an equitable and inclusive community.

We empower young women to strive for academic excellence and to develop as servant leaders, emphasizing social-emotional well-being and spiritual growth.

- Dr. Sherylanne Diodato '93, Principal

"Honoring the legacy of our foundress, Catherine McAuley, Our Lady of Mercy proudly develops highly competent, deeply compassionate leaders ready to serve and shape a better world for all.”

Core Values

The Mercy Core Values are the hallmarks of a Mercy Education. They inform our priorities and our Profile of a Graduate. They are the ideals we stand up for and strive to live up to. We hold ourselves to these standards as an institution, as a community, and as individuals.

Education Rooted in Faith, Compassion, and Action

Who was Catherine McAuley?
Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1778. After the death of her mother and father, she served as household manager and companion to the Callaghans, an elderly, wealthy Protestant and Quaker couple. During those years, she became increasingly called to devote her life to the service of the poor, sick, and uneducated, particularly after she had bitter experiences trying to find shelter for abused servant women and homeless girls. 

After long illness, and aided by McAuley’s presence and prayer, Mrs. Callaghan passed in 1819, and just three years later, Mr. Callaghan died in 1822, naming Catherine McAuley the sole residuary legatee of his estate and life’s savings. 

In 1824 Catherine used her inheritance to build a large house for poor servant girls and homeless women on Baggot Street, in a fashionable section of southeast Dublin. The House of Mercy opened on September 24, 1827, on the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy.

Catherine desired for her works to remain unaffiliated with any religious congregation to avoid aspects of convent life and restrictions she thought religious life would impose on the works of mercy to which she felt called. In 1829-1830, however, she realized the long-term future of the works of mercy she had begun were dependent on her willingness to found a new religious congregation, and so, in 1830 the first Sisters of Mercy took their vows. 

The Sisters of Mercy, unlike those religious orders before them, were not cloistered, as McAuley fervently believed in the need for action and an active presence in the community. 

Over the next ten years, the works of the Sisters of Mercy spread throughout Ireland and England, eventually making its way to the United States and beyond.

Mercy Education Comes to the United States

Mother Francess Warde came to Pittsburgh in 1843, where she and her companions began teaching at once. Their energy in ministering attracted many new members, and Mercy schools began to spread throughout the United States.

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women

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  • Principals

    • Dr. Sherylanne Diodato ’93, Principal, 2022-present
    • Dr. Martin Kilbridge, Principal, 2018-2022
    • Mr. Terence Quinn, Principal, 2008-2018
    • Mrs. Vilma Goetting, Principal, 2004-2008
    • Mrs. Evelyn J. Kirst, Principal, 1994-2004
    • Sr. Barbara Hamm '53, RSM, Principal, 1989-1994
    • Sr. Judith Heberle, RSM, Principal, 1983-1989
    • Sr. Mary Bonaventure, RSM, Principal, 1976-1983
    • Sr. Mary Bryan, RSM, Principal, 1968-1976
    • Sr. Mary Florence, RSM, Principal, 1957-1968
    • Sr. Mary Francesca, RSM, Principal, 1928-1957

  • Presidents

    • Mrs. Christina Lacagnina, President and CEO, 2023-present
    • Mrs. Pamela Baker, J.D. ’74, President and CEO, 2019-2022
    • Mrs. Suzanne Klingler Johnston ’61, President, 2004-2018
    • Sr. Carol Wulforst, RSM, President, 1990-2004

A History of Mercy

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is rich with history and tradition. Since the school opened in 1928 we have grown from 75 freshmen and five teachers, to 800 students and more than 100 faculty and staff. We’ve expanded several times, adding a middle school, new gymnasiums, an auditorium, and dozens of athletic teams. More than 14,000 young women have graduated from Mercy… and we are just getting started!

List of 13 items.

  • 1928

    In 1928, Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women opened its doors with 75 young women and five faculty.

  • 1929

    Lourdes Grotto dedicated

  • 1932

    First graduation

  • 1941

    Auditorium, gymnasium, music rooms, and additional classrooms added

  • 1968

    Catherine McAuley College Completed (current middle school)

  • 1980

    New gym floor and track built as varsity athletics expanded

  • 1990

    Middle School Opened for 7th & 8th Grades

  • 2003

    B. Thomas Golisano Media Center, Albert and Eva Bonsignore Family Athletic Center, Kathleen Bonsignore Walgreen ‘61 Gymnasium, and Catherine McAuley Gallery completed

  • 2012

    Middle School expanded to include 6th grade and new track and turf field completed

  • 2014

    Abby Wambach ‘98 Field dedicated

  • 2015

    Auditorium renovation

  • 2016

    Middle School Gym renovation completed and Performing Arts Center opens

  • 2021

    A statue of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, (donated by Kathleen Bonsignore Walgreen ‘61) was installed

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    • Photo Collage

      First Day of School4

    • Photo Collage

      Classroom Candid2

    • Photo Collage

      Caelyn Ford Commencement

Your Daughter Will Thrive at Mercy!
Begin the Journey Today.

1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610
Phone: 585-288-7120    |    Fax: 585-288-7966    |    Email: info@mercyhs.com

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Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and a member of Mercy Education.
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