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Catherine’s House, Inc. is a
private, non-profit organization chartered by the State of North Carolina.
It is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina and has its own
governing board, by-laws and administration.
Catherine’s House, Inc., located
on the grounds of the former Sacred Heart College in Belmont, NC, was opened for
residents on November 3, 1992. It is a residential facility that provides
transitional housing in a clean, safe and caring environment for women and women
with children who are homeless. We assist women in finding solutions to
their problems of homelessness. Each resident is assured of being treated
fairly and with respect for one’s individual differences and needs.
Catherine’s House is named for the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy,
Catherine
McAuley,
whose likeness is exhibited in the portrait at the right. Born in Ireland in
1778, she devoted her life to helping those in need, particularly women and
children. An astute yet caring businesswoman, Catherine delighted in using her
sizable inheritance to provide housing which would benefit the poor of her day.
Today, the original House of Mercy on Baggot St. in Dublin, which was opened in
1831 to house, care for and educate the poor, remains in use as
Mercy
International Centre.
In 1991, Hester Tribble, a social worker and
graduate of the former Sacred Heart College, approached the Sisters of Mercy out
of a desire to help the homeless. Her request for the use of an empty
building on the grounds was granted. The Sisters of Mercy also assisted
Ms. Tribble in preparing the building as well as developing an active board of
directors.
When Ms. Tribble could no longer continue her
work, the Sisters of Mercy adopted the ministry and renamed the facility
“Catherine’s House.” Sister Barbara Sullivan became the first President
and CEO and developed the plan initiated by Ms. Tribble to provide transitional
housing for homeless women and children.
A new beginning took place on November 2, 1992
with the blessing of Catherine’s House as a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy.
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