After a year, Sister Cathleen Cahill was heartened that in-person services returned just before Easter at Mercy Circle, a Catholic retirement community on Chicago's Southwest Side. A former principal of Mother McAuley High School, Cahill is a resident at Mercy Circle and lives across the hall from her sister, Nancy Cahill. Both are members of the Sisters of Mercy. "The spiritual aspect of the community is central to our lives;” says Cathleen.
Mercy Circle has 110 residents, both lay people and religious clergy members. Everyone is welcome. The community opened in 2014. Mercy Circle was named for an existing circular chapel that was saved when an older structure was taken down to make room for the new community. "All hallways lead to the chapel,” says Cathleen.
Like many retirement communities, the residents at Mercy Circle have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Activities and services are getting back to normal. Commenting on the challenges of the past year, Frances Lachowicz, executive director at Mercy Circle, notes that the residents were affected by the pandemic, but adds, "They lived in hope because of their faith.”
Jane Adler | Reporter | September 10, 2023