Mercy in Action Stories

Empowering Mothers and Families

‘The babies are back’ 

“It’s coming home,” Julie McGue said when she attended the annual Homecoming Mass and Reunion for adoptees from the former St. Vincent Orphanage —...

Immediate Needs

Visions of My Life: 2025 Photo Exhibit

St. Vincent Hall at Catholic Charities was abuzz Oct. 3, 2025, as 20 artists shared the stories behind their photos with more than 70...

Empowering Families

Building a better future for families

Cecilia* arrived at the House of the Good Shepherd Ministry at Mary’s House 17 months ago. She escaped domestic violence with her young son...

Empowering Seniors

Meals bring couples together 

Gerry Cushing and John Schintgen have Catholic Charities’ senior community meals to thank for bringing them together as a couple. They’ve been engaged for...

Empowering Mothers

‘Thank you for giving me this beautiful smile’ 

The beautiful smiles spread across the faces of the domestic violence survivors at the House of Peace in Lake County are a testament to...

Empowering Families

Delivering service with a smile 

As Christian Flores begins his academic journey at the University of Notre Dame this fall, he reflects on how his volunteer work in the...

Immediate Needs

A peek inside After Supper Visions 2025

From Buckingham Fountain to Picasso’s Flamingo, artists are carefully selecting their favorite images capturing Chicago for the Visions of My Life: Annual Photo Exhibit...

Empowering Families

Running miles with a purpose 

Don Fitzgerald will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Oct. 12 with a purpose: He hopes to raise $20,000 to buy 80,000...

Empowering Seniors

Drivers deliver compassion with a hot meal 

On one of the hottest days of the year, Catholic Charities’ driver Ramiro Gonzalez Avila knocks on the doors of seniors living in Lake...

Empowering Seniors

Community meals provide good food and connection 

“Real napkins and real people” have kept Janice Roth, 80, of Grayslake coming back to Catholic Charities senior community meals in Lake County over...