The Sisters of Mercy arrived in New York in 1846. Six sisters accompanied Mother Mary Agnes O’Connor from Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland. In response to the invitation of Bishop John Hughes, the Sisters began working immediately with the poor of New York City. These “walking nuns” visited the sick in their homes, operated a lending library, and instructed adults. Before long, they were given access to hospitals and prisons, expanding their ministries. The ranks of the Sisters continued to grow. During these early years, Catherine Seton, the youngest daughter of St. Elizabeth Seton, entered the Community at 18 West Washington Place. She was 46. Paramount in her ministry was service to prisoners at Sing Sing and other penal institutions. She lived to age 91, remaining active and mentally alert until her death. In 1855 the Brooklyn Community was founded under the leadership of Sr. Mary Vincent Haire. A novice at the time, she was the first Sister of Mercy to profess her vows in the Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Other communities followed this example. In 1863, Sisters returning from nursing service in North Carolina during the Civil War were among the foundresses of Greenbush (Albany). Worcester, MA welcomed the Sisters of Mercy in 1864. As time went on, the New York Community flourished. The Sisters founded schools, orphanages, nursing homes, and residences for women. By the turn of the century, many pastors were seeking our help especially in education and social work. In 1929, many independent congregations of Mercy Sisters formed an amalgamation. At that time, New York became part of the province of Providence. The sisters in Ogdensburg also joined Providence. This changed in 1935 when New York and Ogdensburg were separated from Providence and became the Province of New York. In 1984, the Worcester community voted to join the Union, and three years later Worcester and New York merged. In 1991, with the advent of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the New York Province became the Regional Community of New York.