In Loving Memory...

Sister M. Catherina, CSC 
(Mary Cecilia O’Connor)
Birth: January 11, 1923
Profession: August 15, 1943
Death: February 24, 2004

A smile to light up your day! That was Sister Catherina. She always welcomed you with open arms and a bright smile. I often thought of her as a delicate flower; but one that was sturdy and had deep roots. Whether teaching the little third graders or high school boys, she brought to her ministry a love of God and a love of teaching.

Born in Washington, D.C., to Patrick J. and Katherine Howard O’Connor on January 11, 1923, Mary Cecilia was the oldest of the four children in the O’Connor family. Her brother, John, became a priest of the archdiocese of Washington. Her two sisters Ann and Patricia married. 

Mary attended Holy Name grade school and the Academy of the Holy Cross, both in Washington. After graduating from Holy Cross in 1940, Mary left Washington to enter the Congregation, receiving the habit August 15, 1941, professing her temporary vows in 1943, and making perpetual profession in 1946. Her bachelor’s degree was received from Dunbarton College and her master’s from Boston College, both in history. Mary was both bright and studious. From her early years she excelled in school. Being first in her eighth grade graduating class, she received a scholarship to attend he Academy of the Holy Cross. Thus began her journey with Holy Cross.

After her first profession, she returned to Washington to teach at Blessed Sacrament School. She remained in the elementary schools of the Washington metropolitan area for the next 18 years, as both teacher and principal. In 1961 she went to Batavia, New York, to teach history at Notre Dame High School; but the next year a principal was needed at Saint Paul the Apostle parish school in New York City, so Catherina headed downstate to the Big Apple. After she left Saint Paul’s in 1965 all of her teaching was in high school, two years at Saint Patrick’s in downtown Washington,; three years in Austin, Texas; 11 years in Riverside, New Jersey; and 12 years at her alma mater, now in Kensington, Maryland. In 1993, when she felt the need for a less taxing schedule, she remained at Holy Cross, resuming the duties of the receptionist until 2001, when she came to Saint Mary’s.

When Catherina was superior at Saint Bernard’s in Riverdale, Maryland, she gave very popular “Holy Innocents” parties for the young sisters in the area. All of the young sisters loved to come to those gatherings. She was a tremendous community woman and a beloved superior. As a competent school woman, she was an excellent principal. She served several times in both of these roles. Slow to anger, she was the epitome of kindness, a gentle woman.

She enjoyed her years in New York City where she could avail herself of so many interesting historical and cultural events. She was a real historian and loved history in all its forms. Saint Patrick’s in downtown Washington also gave her an opportunity to visit cultural and historical events, monuments and museums. Her talents and dedication to the community and to education served well in the classroom, in the principal’s office or the superior’s office. In her own quiet way, she was there for whoever needed her or whatever the need might be.

Those who began their journey in Holy Cross with her remember distinctly the play, “Anima,” they gave in the novitiate in 1941 for the Centennial celebration of the Congregation. Catherina was Anima, the central character. Even to this day they remember her stellar performance.

In addition to her love of community, Catherina had a deep love of her family. She always spoke lovingly of her sisters and their families. Father John was “Sister Catherina’s brother” to many sisters of Holy Cross. Dr. Howard, her uncle, also was very good to the sisters and a favorite of Catherina. Her Irish roots, quick mind and gentle disposition combined to form the woman we all knew and loved as Catherina.

The mystery of a life! What do we see and what does God see? Who was Catherina to her students and religious community? Who was she to her brother and sisters, to her nieces and nephews, to her grandnieces and nephews and cousins? She was a flower of a different color to each of us. We see only the bloom of the flower. God sees the stem and the roots. God sees a deeper beauty than we are capable of seeing. The deep roots of that delicate flower brought Catherina to her God. Now that God has reached down and brought her to Himself. Her smile has widened; her happiness is complete.

Written by Sister Anna Mae Golden, CSC

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.