Sister Kathleen Mccarthy

Sister Kathleen McCarthy died peacefully at Our Lady of Mercy Convent, Auburn on Wednesday, September 12, 2012. Born on April 6, 1936 in Lombardstown, County Cork, Ireland, she was the daughter of Joseph and Johanna McCarthy. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on March 13, 1953 and professed final vows on September 20, 1960. A gifted teacher with a gregarious personality, she spent her first fifteen years in education ministry as an elementary school teacher and principal in Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Sacramento, including St. Joseph School, Redding; Sacred Heart, Anderson and St. Joseph, Auburn; St. Joseph and Sacred Heart, Sacramento. She transitioned to parish religious education in 1973 and spent the next twenty seven years in faith development of children and adults, including St. Joseph Parish, Auburn; St. Anthony Parish, Sacramento; St. Thomas Parish, Oroville; St. Mary Parish, Vacaville, and St. Vincent Parish, Vallejo. While at St. Mary Parish in Vacaville, she got involved in prison ministry at the California Medical Facility and decided to prepare for this ministry full time. After a short stint in the Vacaville facility, she found her niche at the Central California Women's facility in Chowchilla, serving there as a chaplain for five years until her health declined. She earned her MA degree in Theology from Mount Angel Seminary, Oregon in 1977. She earned a BA and a California life time teaching credential from the University of San Francisco in 1962. She was certified as a Master Catechist through Catholic University of America in 1987 and traveled throughout the Diocese of Sacramento doing presentations for parents of students involved in religious education programs. She is survived by sisters: Nora Sheehan and Peg Cashman; brother, Morgan; nieces, nephews and their families, and her religious community. She is preceded in death by sisters: Betty and Siobhain; brothers: Sean, Donal, Eugene. A vigil service will be held on Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 pm and a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 17 at 11:00 am. All service will be at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Auburn. Memorials may be made to: Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 535 Sacramento Street, Auburn, CA 95603 or to a charity of your choice