Welcome to St. Bartholomew's Church Bio: Sr. Marita Catherine, IHM
Ministry to Sick/Homebound
As we are all aware, a few years ago the remaining Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Sisters who were assigned to our parish were called back to Philadelphia. However, I am sure that we have all seen one of them at Mass on Sunday. For those who are not familiar with her ministry, I would like to introduce Sister Marita Catherine. Sr. Catherine ministers to the sick and homebound in our Parish.
Sr. Catherine grew up in Philadelphia and attended Little Flower High School which was taught by the IHM Sisters. She was very involved in high school and particularly liked to dance. Even though she was very active during high school, she spent time with some nursing Sisters. Because of their influence she even contemplated becoming a nurse. But after graduation she decided her calling was to become a religious. This wasn't a decision that she came to quickly, rather the thought had been growing for some time before she announced her decision to her family. Because of all the time she had spent with the Sisters from the nursing order she considered entering their order, but on the advice of her father she entered the IHM order. He told her that since they had educated her, she should be loyal to them. And so she entered the novitiate. It was during her time in the novitiate that she was trained in spiritual life and it was here that she learned to live a religious life.
Since the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters are a teaching order, she learned how to teach and eventually she went on to Immaculata College. During her teaching career she taught several different grades but found she liked the older grammar school students the best. Interestingly, throughout all the years that she was teaching, her summer vacation was always spent at Camilla Hall, the IHM retirement home. While there she worked with the elderly Sisters and also worked in the infirmary.
When Sr. Catherine finally retired from teaching she asked if she could begin a new ministry by serving the sick and the home bound especially the elderly. Fortunately for our parish she was assigned here. Even though the Sisters who taught in our school were no longer assigned to our parish, Sister Catherine stayed to serve in her new ministry. She began by attending classes at Holy Redeemer - Nazareth hospice center, located in the northeast section of greater Philadelphia.
She explains that the most important part of her ministry of care is to be present to God's people who are hospitalized, residents of local nursing homes, the homebound, and residents of local senior citizen housing complexes, and to listen to their needs. "Just by being a good listener," she says, "we can recall the many hardships that all of us have encountered throughout or own lives. I am privileged to be able to pray with them for all of their needs and, most importantly, to bring them the Bread of Life - the Eucharist." Her prayer is that the Lord will take them into His loving care, and to bless them abundantly.
Ministers of Care each have their own guidelines to follow. As for Sr. Catherine, her desire is to meet everyone as if she were greeting the Lord Himself. To be friendly, confident, and personal, and finally to be herself, are the goals of each and every visit. She tells us that she has gained much form her many visits to the sick and homebound. "Knowing you, and being able to pray with you for your many intentions bring much happiness to me."
After talking to Sr. Catherine you can see how well suited she is for the job. Her years spent in the infirmary while in the novitiate, and later her time spent at Camilla Hall, have given her the insight into helping both the elderly and the sick. Her biggest assets are her joyful spirit and her sense of humor. She is fun to be with. Her background is well suited to addressing the physical, social and spiritual needs of the people she serves. If she ever retires, she will be a tough act to follow. Our parish is indeed fortunate to have Sr. Catherine in our midst.
Pastoral visitations and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and the Anointing of the Sick are available to our parish sick and shut-ins upon request.
For more information, contact Sister Marita Catherine at the Parish Office at 257-7722.