The Catholic Church’s growth was due to the millions of immigrants from Ireland, Poland, Italy, and the Slavic countries that had come to the United States. As the immigrant population increased, more churches and schools were coming into existence. Elizabeth Seton (1774-1821), after the death of her husband, turned to Catholicism and dedicated her life to God. She founded the Sisters of Charity who helped the poor by providing them with a sold Catholic education. Although it was the first congregation of religious sisters to be founded in the United States, the order relied heavily on Irish nuns. The Sisters of Charity brought Irish nuns from Maryland (some of whom belonged to the Sisters of Mercy as well as the Irish Sisters of Charity) into the order. Thus, the early Irish members greatly shaped the vision of the Sisters of Charity with their Irish beliefs and values. She provided a caring and nurturing occupation for women outside of their homes.