Remembering Sr. Catherine Maloney
Wake Reflection: Sister Catherine Maloney,
died November 18, 2021
Given by Sr. Susan Hutchen, Prioress
In the reading from 1 Peter, we heard that God in great mercy gives us a new birth to a living hope. A birth that comes, however, through death and resurrection. That hope is based on knowing with assurance that a salvation ready to be revealed, awaits each of us.
That was Sister Catherine’s hope, and her reason for rejoicing. No doubt it was also her reason (even if only vaguely understood) for entering the community when she was 18. She understood that she would be following God’s will, not her own, as the years went on – because one day she would be called to eternal life – her one desire.
She learned also over the years, that she would be asked to do many things that were not of her choosing at first, but that led to life with God, with others, in many ways she never thought about, and through which she found blessings and great satisfaction.
Although she began as a primary grade school teacher for the “little girls” at St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo, and continued teaching for over 25 years, she gradually found her real love in ministering to the sick and dying as a hospital Chaplain. She did this for nearly 25 years, in 3 different settings before officially retiring in 2002. However, she was able to continue ministry for a few more years as a volunteer at Genesis Hospice, here in Davenport.
Sister Catherine was baptized Patricia Ann, and was the 2nd of twin girls born to James Edward and Mildred Truesdell Maloney in Estherville, IA on May 11, 1931. Her twin was Nancy Ann and they remained very close until “Nan” died in 2004. Her mother, Mildred, died almost immediately after the birth of the twins.
Edward was devastated following Mildred’s death, not only from his grief, but from now having to raise two infants on his own. The girls were sent to live with their Aunt and Uncle for a while, but their father did not want them to be adopted. He knew that if he remarried he would want the girls to be raised in his family. So he placed them at Guardian Angel Home in Peoria, where they lived until they were 6. At that time he married Mary Kathryn Mortensen, and she became “Mom” to Patricia and Nancy. Mary and Edward had 3 more children: Thomas, Maureen (whom they called Mo) and Mary Elizabeth. As Sister Catherine told me just this past week, Mary was the only Mom she ever knew, and she appreciated her. She taught her many things, including the concept of justice, and doing what was right.
As the years went by, Patricia felt the call to enter St. Mary Monastery, which she did in August 1949, along with 10 other young women. Only 4 of those made final vows together on August 24, 1954. Sister Catherine Cleary was the one sister remaining to celebrate, with Sister Catherine, their 70th Jubilee together this past summer.
Sister Catherine told some early funny stories of life in community – such as when she was asked to teach music. When she questioned this choice by the superior, the Prioress told her “You can do it. Holy Obedience will get you through!” It was not long before she didn’t have to continue teaching music. But she loved the children and learned from them that there was more than one way to learn, and to see things outside the box. To quote her, “Maybe Holy Obedience worked outside the box for me too.”
She continued to learn throughout all the years of her ministries. Her grade and high school education was obtained at St. Mary’s, Moline. After she entered, she attended St. Ambrose University and received her BA, and later at the University of Illinois she earned an MA, both in Education. Later she completed a Clinical Pastoral Education program and became certified as a hospital Chaplain by the United States Catholic Chaplain’s Conference. At St. Norbert’s College, WI over several summers, she received a certificate in Theology.
Sister Catherine’s ministries included teaching the “little girls” at St. Mary’s Academy, and also primary grades at Atkinson, Clinton, St. Columba in Chicago, St. Boniface and Holy Family in Peoria, Monmouth, Wenona, and Alleman High School in Rock Island. And at St. Thomas More in Munster, IN. Her years in pastoral care took her to Methodist Hospital in Peoria, Franciscan Hospital in Rock Island, and Illinois Valley Community Hospital, LaSalle, IL where she worked in the Hospice program. Later she also worked giving support to the elderly at St. Augustine Manor in Peoria.
Over the years Sister Catherine wrote columns for the Peoria Diocesan newspaper, presented Reflections for the Hospice program in Peru, IL, and spoke to groups about the Spiritual Dynamics and the ethical issues surrounding death and dying. While in Peoria, she served for a time as President of the Sister’s Conference for the Diocese.
When she returned to the monastery in 2002, it was the first time that she had been home to live for any extended time, since the first 3 years of her formation. At the monastery, she served as a volunteer at Benet House Retreat Center, at the welcome desk, and in many other areas.
Sister Catherine enjoyed people, traveling, crocheting, needlepoint, playing cards and games, reading, and we all know how she loved to work jig-saw puzzles.
In her later years, she wrote that as she moved along in her retirement, she had lots of time to think about what it really meant to respond to Jesus’ call “Come follow me.” She wrote: “In following Jesus, I too must suffer, die and rise with Jesus. I think I have almost completed the suffering part. Now I need to work harder on the dying and begin to look forward to enjoying the rising.”
Our trust is certain that she is now experiencing and enjoying the rising, for which she longed.
I now invite you to share your stories and memories of Sister Catherine. We only wish that so many others could be with us this evening. We thank all those who are with us in spirit.