Catherine McAuley Hub
“The tender mercy of God has given us one another.” – Catherine McAuley
The Trinity Catholic School, Nottingham, together with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary School, forms the Catherine McAuley Hub.
As part of this hub, we work closely together as a family of Catholic schools, united in our mission to nurture faith, inspire learning, and serve our communities. By sharing Catherine McAuley’s vision, we continue to grow as a strong Catholic community that supports the spiritual, moral, and academic development of all our young people.
Catherine McAuley
Who was Catherine McAuley?
Catherine McAuley (1778–1841) was the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, a religious congregation dedicated to education, healthcare, and the relief of poverty.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Catherine experienced both hardship and privilege in her early life. After being orphaned, she later became the companion of a wealthy Protestant couple, the Callaghans, and inherited a substantial sum on Mrs Callaghan’s death. Rather than using the inheritance for personal comfort, Catherine dedicated it to serving the poor.
In 1827, she opened the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, providing shelter, education, and practical support for poor women and children. Her work quickly expanded, and in 1831 she and her companions professed vows, formally founding the Sisters of Mercy.
Catherine was known for her deep trust in God, her joyful spirit, her strong leadership, and her conviction that faith must be lived through action. She believed education was a pathway to dignity, independence, and hope. Her life embodied the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Her feast day is celebrated on 24 September, the date of her death in 1841.
Her words continue to inspire Mercy communities worldwide:
“The tender mercy of God has given us one another.”
Catherine’s Legacy in Our Hub
As a hub of Catholic schools in Nottingham, we honour Catherine McAuley’s legacy by:
- Placing mercy at the heart of all we do, ensuring that faith is lived through compassion, service, and justice.
- Educating the whole child — nurturing spiritual growth, academic excellence, and personal dignity.
- Prioritising the vulnerable, reflecting Catherine’s preferential love for the poor.
- Working collaboratively, recognising that “the tender mercy of God has given us one another.”
- Encouraging leadership rooted in service, especially among our young people.
Each year on 24 September, we celebrate Catherine McAuley’s Feast Day. Through prayer, acts of charity, liturgical celebration, and outreach projects, our schools renew their commitment to living the Works of Mercy with joy and hope.
How Catherine McAuley’s Charism Is Reflected Across All Hub Schools
Catherine’s charism of Mercy shapes the identity and shared mission of all schools within the hub in the following ways:
- Mercy in Relationships
Her belief that community is a gift from God underpins how our schools treat one another — with dignity, forgiveness, and respect. Policies on behaviour, pastoral care, and inclusion are rooted in restoration and reconciliation rather than punishment alone.
- Education as Liberation
Catherine saw education as transformative. Across the hub, academic excellence is not simply about attainment, but about empowering pupils with confidence, voice, and aspiration — particularly those who may be disadvantaged.
- Preferential Option for the Poor
Mercy schools traditionally prioritise those most in need. This is reflected through:
- Strong safeguarding and pastoral systems
- Support for disadvantaged pupils
- Outreach and charitable action
- Partnerships with local parish and community organisations
- Faith in Action
Prayer and liturgy are central, but always connected to action. Hub-wide initiatives — charity drives, social justice projects, and service opportunities — reflect the lived expression of Catholic Social Teaching.
- Unity Across Phases
As a hub spanning primary and secondary education, there is a shared spiritual identity. Transitions between schools are not simply academic steps but a continuation of a shared Mercy journey.
- Joyful Witness
Catherine was known for her warmth and humour. A Mercy school is marked not only by seriousness of mission, but by joy, welcome, and hospitality — something visitors and families should tangibly experience in each school.
