Our Story
The journey of Catherine's Caring Cause began in the 1980s when Mercy Sisters Pat Murphy and JoAnn Persch dedicated their lives to assisting asylum seekers fleeing the Central American conflict. Their initial efforts led to the establishment of the Su Casa Catholic Worker in 1990, providing refuge for victims of torture. In 2007, they founded the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants (ICDI), which continues to support immigrants today.
In October 2022, a call for help from an asylum-seeking family from Sierra Leone sparked the creation of Catherine's Caring Cause. With the support of the Chicago Mercy Justice Committee, the Sisters quickly secured housing for the family, leading to the establishment of a 501(c)(3) organization. Today, CCC supports nine families in eight apartments, providing essential resources and mentorship to help them thrive in their new community.