Sister Catherine Kinsella, OP

Sister Catherine Kinsella of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on March 3, 2022 in Siena Hall, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY. She was 89 years old.

Born in St. Louis, MO on January 27, 1933, Catherine was the daughter of Walter and Vera Gallagher Kinsella. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1951 and received the name Sister Jean Carol. She professed her first vows in 1953 and final vows in 1958.

Sister Catherine received a BS in Education from Webster University, St. Louis, MO, 1967; an MA in Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, 1977; and Certification from Aquinas Institute Preaching Institute, St. Louis, MO, 1994.

Sister Catherine’s ministries include St. Mary School, Fulton, NY (1953-1958); in St. Louis, MO, St. James the Greater School (1958-1959 and 1968-1970); St. Elizabeth of Hungary School (1959-1967); Epiphany of Our Lord School (1967-1968 and 1973-1976); and St. Simon School (1970-1973); as Director of Religious Education at St. Joseph Parish (1976-1981) and Incarnate Word Parish (1981-1985). In 1985 Sister Catherine responded to a call to ministry in the Diocese of Great Falls/Billings Montana. From 1985-1990, Sister Catherine was Parish Minister successively at St. Mary’s Parish, Malta, MT; St. Mary’s Parish, Livingston, MT; and St. Joseph’s Parish, Big Timber, MT. She was then appointed as Administrator at St. Joseph’s Parish (1990-1999). From 1999-2014, Sister Catherine served as a Pastoral Associate at Holy Spirit Parish, Great Falls, MT. She retired in 2014.

Sister Catherine is predeceased by her parents Walter and Vera Gallagher Kinsella; her sister, Sister Ann Kinsella, OP, and her brother John. Sister Catherine is survived by her niece Susan Woltering (Dennis), her nephew John (Sharon), and her Dominican Sisters and Associates. Sister Catherine Kinsella made a difference in the lives of countless children, parents, and colleagues in her ministry of education and pastoral ministry in New York, St. Louis, and Montana. She served her congregation faithfully for more than 70 years as a Dominican Sister of Sparkill, proclaiming the Word of God through ministry for justice and reverence for all creation. We thank God for Sister Catherine’s loving presence and commitment as she is welcomed into the fullness of God’s presence. Well done, good and faithful servant, Sister Catherine Kinsella, OP. May you Rest in Peace!