In Loving Memory...

Sister M. Dolora, CSC 
(Kathryn Grace Geraghty)
Birth: April 22, 1922
Profession: August 15, 1942
Death: October 29, 2004

Sister Dolora believed in doing her work with faithful dedication, striving to meet the particular needs of each mission. For many years she was dedicated to helping young people in Holy Cross schools throughout the Midwest, serving from 1941 to 1975 as teacher and 10 years as principal. This experience prepared her for her next call, to serve the poor.

In 1975-79 she was trained in social services by Catholic Charities of Chicago while serving the people of Saint Gregory’s. She lived with the Sisters of the Living Word, and she has maintained her friendship with these sisters over the years. It was amazing how she switched her focus and prepared herself to be a force in facing all aspects of poverty and need. Her compassion and administrative abilities enabled her to reach out to those in need in that large north side parish.

In 1979 she was recruited for the Christian Service position at Saint Mary’s in Niles, Michigan, a new ministry to the people of the area. Through her efforts, Christian Service began to grow and to have a dramatic impact, not only on the parish, but also on southwest Michigan. She started out using the convent basement for storage of food and items for the poor. As the years went by it was evident that she needed more space and the parishioners came together to build her a Christian Service Center. She worked with the diocese of Kalamazoo on programs for the mentally impaired, heating assistance for the poor, along with her work on the FEMA Board for Michigan, and on the United Way Board for Niles and the board for the mentally impaired in the city of Niles. She also worked closely with the Knights of Columbus, who helped with fund raising and setting up the gym for special programs. Members of Saint Mary’s Altar and Rosary society were always on hand to help with food, service and decoration. It was a great success for the whole area. She also worked closely with ministers of other churches, the Salvation Army and Love, Inc., of Buchanan. She was involved all across Berrien County. People even came from South Bend to seek her help.

She established the Dave Wetmore Fund to sponsor children who could not afford the tuition to attend Saint Mary’s. She also established her famous Christmas and spring bazaar, attracting people from South Bend and Michigan. She used the funds from her bazaars to further her work with seniors and scholarships and to give support for the school. The Notre Dame Club of Niles helped her sell donated tickets to the Notre Dame games, adding more money for the school and Christian Service special projects. Her participation in these fund raisers with the people of Saint Mary’s became a famous experience. If Sister Dolora called, no one could refuse. It was a bringing together of all organizations in the two parishes, as well as the talents and gifts of countless volunteers.

Local business people contributed baked goods and bread. as well as turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Those who came to the food pantry received a complete assortment of food for good nutrition. Buchanan contributed fresh vegetables and fruit when in season. The post office collected food each year for sister’s food pantry; sometimes as much as three or four tons were delivered to the parish. It became necessary to build another building to contain the additional donations.

Sister’s organization and generosity was notable with those she served. She helped hundreds of families and seemed to know each one as they came to talk with her about their problems and needs. She housed the people passing through, she talked with the lonely and distressed, she visited the parish homebound. She visited the nursing homes, organizing Masses and the Holy Eucharist on a regular basis. She loved her job and worked tirelessly to accomplish her goals.

We are all grateful for having known Sister Dolora. Her work is complete here, but her dream goes on in the streets of Niles through her faithful workers. In the words of Albert Schweitzer: “Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flames by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light!”

Written by Sister Maureen Cahill, 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.