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Sr. Catherine McGrath, SNDdeN | | 
 VIEW/SEND CONDOLENCES
| | | Crippen & Flynn Carlmont Chapel
1111 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 595-4103 Fax (650) 593-4103
Sr. Catherine McGrath (1916-2009)
Sister Catherine McGrath, SNDdeN (Sister Dolores Julie), a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 75 years, died in Oakland, California on October 31, 2009. Born on January 5, 1916 in Everett, Washington, Sr. Catherine grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and entered the Sisters of Notre Dame at Belmont in 1934.
Sr. Catherine’s life spanned the 20th century but her vision extended far beyond its boundaries. Sr. Catherine began her ministry as an elementary school teacher in Salinas, CA, in 1937 and taught in South Bay schools until she was appointed to Supervisor of Education for the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1956. By 1959, she had earned both a B.A. and her first M.A. She was later appointed to Directress of Postulants and Junior Sisters for the Sisters of Notre Dame, always encouraging them to explore and appreciate the great religious thinkers and questions of their time. She then completed a second M.A. in Religious Studies at Catholic University, and pursued post-graduate studies at Notre Dame University, Immaculate Heart College, University of San Francisco, and Georgetown University. In 1966, Sr. Catherine became the first women to chair the Theology Department at College of Dame in Belmont where she taught and administered for over 10 years. As Chair, she visited dozens of seminaries and catechetical centers in the United States and Europe, conducting over 100 interviews of major theologians for the purpose of discussing the major theological ideas emerging from Vatican II. A forward-thinking woman, Sr. Catherine anticipated the significant changes ahead for women, both in Church and society, and her own openness influenced the greater community to understand and welcome those changes.
In 1976, Sr. Catherine returned to her childhood home of Santa Barbara as Director of Religious Education for Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and remained there until her retirement in 1993. For several years, Sister resided with the Holy Names Sisters at their retirement center in Los Gatos. She continued reading, studying, and reflecting on her life experiences. She spent her final few weeks at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland.
Sr. Catherine is the daughter of the late Clayton James and Gretchen Baatz McGrath, and sister of the late James Merrill McGrath and Thomas Henry (Eleanor) McGrath. Sr. Catherine is lovingly remembered by her niece, Kathleen McGrath Crabbe, her many other nieces, nephews, and relatives, her countless former students, and by her community, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
A Mass celebrating Sr. Catherine’s life will be on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Province Center, 1520 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002. Burial will be on Monday, November 9, 2009, 10 a.m. at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St., Santa Clara, CA.
Memorial contributions in honor of Sr. Catherine may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, 1520 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002 or online at www.snddenca.org.
Crippen & Flynn Carlmont Chapel
www.crippenflynn.com
(650) 595-4103
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