Catherine Gallagher, OP
    Born December 11, 1911
    Professed  August 15, 1959
    Born to Eternal Life -- February 29, 2008

Catherine Beatrice Gallagher was born December 11, 1911, at Bridgeport, CT to James T. and Theresa Jermaine Gallagher. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers James and Jerome, and sister Annette.

After serving in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945, Catherine engaged in a business career. On September 17, 1957, she entered St. Catharine community, taking the name Sr. Maria Ancilla. Later she returned to her baptismal name.

After her first profession on August 15, 1959, Catherine began her teaching career at St. Augustine School, Jeffersonville, IN, and subsequently taught at Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights, IL; St. James, Kearney, NE; St. Francis de Sales, Charlestown, MA; and North Cambridge High, N. Cambridge, MA; and St. Mel Day School, Gloucester, MA.

In 1973, Catherine went to St. Ann Parish in Lexington, NE as a pastoral assistant. There she became involved with ecumenical and social concerns of the city. The pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Director of Meals on Wheels wrote of her when she left Lexington, "The community, I know will miss her warmth and openness. The love of her Lord that she experienced in her own life and so abundantly shared with so many I think was the mark of Sr. Catherine." She then served as pastoral assistant in St. Catherine of Siena parish in Nichols, CT.

Catherine’s passionate zeal for peace and justice took her to the Louisville Archdiocese in 1976 as Assistant Director for the Commission of Peace and Justice. In that position she worked tirelessly to build a world where "Peace is not the absence of tension, but the presence of Justice." When she left this position in 1981, Archbishop Thomas McDonough said of her, "…Sister has a tremendous background and is extremely gifted with care and concern for others."

In 1982, she joined Bread for the World in New York, N.Y., presenting programs on advocacy and hunger legislation.

The following year Catherine returned to pastoral work in St. Columba Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y. where she served for nine years.

In 1993, Catherine retired to serve her Dominican community at Rosary Manor and then at St. Catharine Motherhouse. She moved to Sansbury Care Center in 2006.

Though Catherine retired from an active ministry of service, she never retired from a lively interest in life. She was happiest wherever there was action and wherever she could help.

Today, Catherine, we commend you to your God of Peace, Justice, and Love and ask that you pray for us to him.

My dearest dear, the time draws near when here no longer can I stay
There's not a comrade I leave behind, but is grieving for my going away
But since it has so ordered been what is once past can't be recalled
Now fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with.

The Parting Glass

Click here to read about other Sisters and Associates.

Skip Bender, OPA born to eternal life on December 17, 2007

Sister Mary Anne Guthrie, OP born to eternal life on November 19, 2007

Sister Victoria Brown,EMD born to eternal life on August 26, 2007

Sister Gerorgeanne Sutherland born to eternal life on August 22, 2007

Sister Catherine Roby, OP born to eternal life on May 14, 2007

Sister Ruth Michael O'Toole born to eternal life on April 11, 2007

Nancy Guthrie McKay, OPA  born to eternal life on October 31, 2006

Sister Rosita Colman, OP born to eternal life October 6, 2006

Sister Olivia Lohmoeller, OP born to eternal life September 18, 2006

Sister Dorothy Briggs, OP born to eternal life September 12, 2006

Catherine B. Rose born to eternal life on September 7, 2006

Sister Mary Magdalen Henne, OP (Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic) born to eternal life on August 30, 2006

Sister Mary Augustine Graninger, OP born to eternal life on August 17, 2006

Sister James Vincent Mattingly, OP born to eternal life August 15,2006

Sister Margaret Vincent, OP born to eternal life July 26, 2006

Click here to read about Sisters and Associates who died from July 1, 2005 to June 30,2006.

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