Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School honored its foundress, Catherine McAuley, and the Sisters of Mercy during its annual Mercy Day commemoration. Each year on September 24th, 11,000 Sisters of Mercy, friends, colleagues and educators and students at Mercy Schools around the world celebrate Mercy Day. This is the day on which Catherine McAuley first opened the House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin, Ireland and dedicated it to Our Lady of Mercy. 

Mother McAuley High School's celebration is full of spirit and tradition that includes a remembrance gift, the retelling of the story of Catherine McAuley and her legacy, and an assembly honoring one student and one faculty member as recipients of the Catherine McAuley Leadership Award.  This year's winners are senior Katherine Kezon and Theology faculty member Teresa LeCompte. 

Katherine Kezon embodies the work of Catherine McAuley in her exceptional leadership and service to the community, and to our school. Katherine is a member of Saint Christina Parish, where she attended elementary school and now is a lector and Youth Group retreat leader. She also volunteers with the Hidden Talents Youth Group from Queen of Martyrs parish. At McAuley, she serves as a Student Ambassador Leader, McAuley Mentor Leader, Student Council senior class co-chair, Kairos Leader, as well as a member of the National Honor Society and Action Reaction. She is also very active in the theatre productions. Katherine is well known for her caring and compassionate spirit. She plans to study business and enter the fields of sales and marketing when she graduates from McAuley in May. 

Teresa LeCompte’s deep faith and commitment to McAuley inspire all who meet her to be better stewards of Catherine’s vision. She has taught Theology at McAuley for the past 13 years and is known as a loving mother to her four children, a dedicated member of the community and a compassionate woman. An alumna of both McAuley and Saint Xavier University, she is a true example of the beliefs and work of the Sisters of Mercy. Teresa is a member of Saint Linus Parish, where she serves as the Youth Minister.

Both Katherine Kezon and Teresa LeCompte were nominated by members of the McAuley community for their dedication to and passion for the school, its mission, and its values. They continually honor Mother McAuley High School by embodying the spirit of its foundress, Catherine McAuley, and the school is delighted to honor them in return. The award is presented to the recipients every year at the annual Mercy Day celebration.

About Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School

Founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School currently educates more than 1,200 young women grades 9 through 12 and is the largest all-girls high school in the country. McAuley promotes a single-gender education platform that encourages young women to grow in faith, envision their future and discover their talents through a challenging and motivating academic and co-curricular program. Mother McAuley’s tradition of excellence has made it a top choice for all-girls private education in the Chicago area.