Carlow University’s story began nearly a century ago, but its roots reach back much further — to a house on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland, where Sister Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy and set in motion a mission of compassion, service, and justice that continues today.
This September, as we celebrate Carlow’s 96th birthday and reflect on the enduring values that shape our community, we invite you to experience that story in a new way through Walking into the Chaos of Others, an award-winning documentary created by Carlow’s Marketing and Communications team in association with the Storyhaus Agency.
A Story Rooted in Mercy
The film traces the journey of the Sisters of Mercy from Carlow, Ireland, to Pittsburgh in the 19th century, culminating in the founding of Mount Mercy College — now Carlow University — in 1929. Through archival footage, interviews, and stunning on-location cinematography, the documentary brings to life the Sisters’ vision of creating “a more just and merciful world” and highlights how that mission continues through Carlow’s students, alumni, and community today.
“It is not always an easy road,” says Sister Sheila Carney in the film. “But as Carlow’s founding Sisters showed us, compassion and empathy are the only way forward.”
Behind the Camera: A Labor of Love
For Carlow Vice President for Marketing and Communications John Cardone, the project was deeply personal.
“When I first heard the story of Catherine McAuley and our roots, I knew it needed to be amplified,” Cardone reflects. “This was a gift — a baton handed to us — and it became our responsibility to pass it on to future generations”.
Together with John Swisher of the Storyhaus Agency, Cardone traveled with a small team to Ireland, guided by Sister Sheila herself. Walking through sacred spaces like Baggot Street and Catherine McAuley’s original house, the team was immersed in the Mercy legacy.
“We thought we were just going to film this story,” Swisher recalls. “But standing there, seeing the red door open, hearing these women talk about Catherine’s vision — it became so much more. It’s a story that isn’t just history. It’s alive”
A Living Legacy
The documentary doesn’t just look back at Carlow’s founding. It shows how the University’s mission continues to evolve. Today, Carlow students, faculty, staff, and alumni carry forward the values of compassion, leadership, and service, creating ripple effects in Pittsburgh and beyond.
“What struck me most,” says Swisher, “is that the Sisters never saw themselves as remarkable. They just lived the work of mercy, naturally and humbly. That legacy isn’t static. It belongs to all of us now.”
Watch the Documentary
As we celebrate 96 years of Carlow University, we invite you to experience this story for yourself. Learn more about the Sisters of Mercy, our roots in Pittsburgh, and the mission that continues to define us today.
Stream Walking into the Chaos of Others here: https://www.carlow.edu/walking-into-the-chaos-of-others/