 Sister Catherine Albert died in Clara Moss Rehabilitation Center, Belleville, NJ on September 8.
Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 12 at St. Joseph Villa.
Sister Catherine, one of six children, was born to William Leonard and Mary Keating Leonard on October 30, 1930 in Orange, NJ. She attended elementary school at Our Lady of the Valley School and also at Our Lady of the Valley High School, graduating from the latter in 1948.
Before her graduation, she had decided to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Ann Myers remarked at Catherine’s funeral that our Constitutions remind us, “It is God who calls us to be Sisters of St. Joseph and who forms us through the action of the Spirit.”
On September 14, 1948 Catherine began her novitiate at Chestnut Hill and on April 19, 1949 received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and also the religious name, Sister Michael Theresa.
In September of 1950, after the first year of her novitiate, she went to her first mission, St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia.
Her subsequent missions involving classroom teaching included St. Mary, Bayonne, Hillsdale, NJ, Little Flower High School, Liftwood, DE, Our Lady of the Valley, Orange, NJ, and Sacred Heart, Vineland.
Catherine taught both on the elementary and secondary level. After her graduation from Chestnut Hill College, she attended Assumption College and earned an M.A. in French.
Following her ministry in the classroom, Catherine became Director of Religious Education, and Pastoral Associate for Catechetics at St. Joseph, West Orange and then served as a volunteer at Our Lady Queen of Peace, North Arlington, NJ, serving as tutor, librarian and clerical aide.
Catherine also served in administrative capacities, as elementary school principal in Sacred Heart School, Vineland and as local coordinator in Liftwood and in Our Lady of the Valley.
Catherine might have been characterized as being “laid back”; what that laid back attitude was sheltering was, for one thing, a deep spirituality, and prayerfulness. These were not newly acquired; thirty years ago, mid-way in her religious life, she made a thirty day retreat to foster these virtues.
It was also sheltering a kind, loving heart, and a gentle, patient manner. Completing these characteristics were a sharp, bright mind, a quick, perceptive wit and a healthy sense of humor. Sister Anne Myers, in her eulogy remarked that her life seemed like our mission in action, filled with the perfect virtues needed in order “to live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another”.
Catherine was and is a constant, faithful blessing to the Congregation. She is, to be sure, enjoying the full presence of God’ glory. |
