Sr. Catherine Kieliszewski

Sr. Catherine Kieliszewski, 85, a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, completed her mission here on earth on Sat., Sept. 24, 2022 at Village at Marymount – Villa St. Joseph, Garfield Heights, OH.

Sr. Catherine was born, April 22, 1937 in Stevens Point, WI to the late Alexander and Sophia (Matuga) Kieliszewski.  Sr. Catherine was a graduate of St. Peter Grade School and Maria High School (now Pacelli) in Stevens Point.  She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis on Feb. 1, 1956 and was invested on Aug. 10, 1956 and received the name Sr. Ignatius.  She later went back to her Baptismal name Catherine.

Over the years, her ministries included teaching in Green Bay, Stevens Point, Fancher, Antigo, Independence, Milwaukee, Owen and Arcadia, and serving as religious education director in Thorp and Stevens Point.  She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Pastoral Studies.  While studying at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, she was also a chaplain at the VA Medical Center in St. Louis, MO.  From 1987-2000 she served as pastoral associate in Torun and Hull, being the first female pastoral associate of the Diocese of La Crosse.  Honoring her work as Chaplain at the Jefferson Barracks Veterans' Administration Hospital in St. Louis and at the Zablocki VA Hospital in Milwaukee, St. Catherine also had the distinction of being an "honorary veteran" with membership in the Polish Legion of American Veterans from Post 185.

In 2001 Sr. Catherine was able to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a missionary when she accepted God's call to serve the poor in Peru.  In 2017 she retired to the St. Joseph Motherhouse in Stevens Point, and later moved to the Motherhouse in Garfield Heights, OH.

Whether teaching, ministering in a parish or hospital, or trying to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people in Peru, and even in retirement, Sr. Catherine always radiated joy and faith.  As she reflected on her 50 ^th Jubilee, "The wonder of God's mysterious ways!   Being called by name and molded along the way!" Truly her life was a spirited interweaving of people, places and ministries.  Those who met Sr. Catherine remember her smile and her infectious happiness.   Her life was a continuous joy-filled "Yes" to God's call, wherever it took her.

In addition to her parents Sr. Catherine was preceded in death by her brothers: Ignatius (Marilyn), Ambrose (Evelyn), Andrew (Grace); sisters: Sophie (Albin) Jakusz, and Marian (Al) Rondeau.  Sr. Catherine is survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and many Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis.

Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am on Nov. 18, 2022 at Holy Spirit Church in Stevens Point, WI, with Fr. Don Przybylski, Msgr. Joseph Diermeier, Fr. Gus Bentil and Fr. Todd Mlsna concelebrating. Visitation for family and friends will be at the Church from 9:30am until the time of Mass. Burial will follow in St Joseph Convent Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Joseph.  A portion of the donations will be given to Peru as a Memorial.