Sister Catherine Mary Kane, 87, a Franciscan Sister of Allegany and longtime faith formation leader across the Diocese of Camden, died Jan. 29 at the Saint Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, N.Y.
Transferred to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on June 13, 1980, she professed her final religious vows as an Allegany Franciscan on Oct. 4, 1983. Prior to this transfer, she had been a faithful vowed member for 24 years in the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) in Immaculata, Pa., Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Upon becoming a Franciscan Sister, she taught sixth grade at Saint Cecilia School in Pennsauken, from 1980-1982. During this time, she also taught religious education and was on the liturgy committee for Saint Cecilia Parish.
In 1983, she became director of religious education at Saint Agnes, Blackwood (now part of Our Lady of Hope Parish), and served there until 1986.
Ten years later, she became pastoral associate at Saint Isidore the Farmer Parish in Vineland (now part of Christ the Good Shepherd), remaining there until 2009.
In 2014, she began ministry at Saint Brendan the Navigator Parish in Avalon as director of lifelong faith formation. She stayed there until her retirement in 2016.
Retiring in Millville, her free time became an opportunity to provide outreach to the poor and marginalized in the area. As well, she assisted in the offices of Christ the Good Shepherd, Vineland.
In 2021, she moved to Saint Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany.
In her 45 years as an OSF, Sister Catherine also ministered to communities in the Archdioceses of Philadelphia and New York, and the Diocese of Trenton.
Announcing her death, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany noted that Sister Catherine reflected God’s love and mercy to all, that she was an avid reader, and loved animals.
“She was a true follower of Saint Francis,” they said.
Born Susanne Rose Kane on Sept. 9, 1938, in Phoenixville, she graduated from Saint Ann School there in 1952, and Hallahan Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1956.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Latin from Immaculata College in 1971 and her master’s degree in religious studies from Saint Charles Seminary, Philadelphia, in 1978.
Sister Catherine is predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Catherine Kane. She is survived by her brother, Joseph, and his wife, Mariellen, and her cousin, Sister Doris Kane, IHM.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 4. Burial will be in Saint Bonaventure Cemetery at a future date.
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