Sr. Catherine Reilly, O.P.

Sr. Catherine Reilly (Sr. M. Loyola), OP, 82, died on February 18, 2019 in St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center, Caldwell, NJ.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine of Siena Convent Chapel, 7 Ryerson Avenue, (Mt. St. Dominic) Caldwell on Friday, February 22 at 10:30 am. Visiting will be in St. Catherine of Siena Convent on Thursday, February 21 from 2 to 7 pm. Office for the Dead will be prayed on Thursday, February 21 at 4:00 pm in St. Catherine of Siena Convent Chapel.

Sister Catherine was a woman of joy, kindness and compassion who served her God and Congregation faithfully for 65 years.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, Sister Catherine first learned of God's unconditional love for her from the two most influential people in her life, her parents, Frank and Alice Reilly. Sister entered the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell on August 15, 1954; received the Dominican habit on June 30, 1955; made first profession on July 2, 1956 and final profession on July 2, 1962.

Sister earned her BA in History and Education from Caldwell College (Caldwell University), MA in History from Villanova University and an MS in Pastoral Counseling form Iona College. Sister received certification in Supervision from Seton Hall University and certification in Marriage & Family Therapy from the American Institute of Marriage and Family.

Sister Catherine was a devoted elementary school teacher at Sacred Heart in Lyndhurst, Our Lady of Lourdes in Mountainside, Our Lady of Peace in New Providence, St. Aloysius in Caldwell and Holy Spirit in Union. A skilled administrator, Sr. Catherine served as Vice-Principal at St. Mary's in Rutherford and Principal at St. Mary's in Wharton and St. Joseph's in West Orange. Sister also served as an Assistant Librarian at Caldwell College (Caldwell University) in Caldwell; therapist at Mt. Carmel in Newark and bereavement therapist at St. Rose in Short Hills; guidance director at Lacordaire Convent; pastoral associate at St. Thomas Moore in Fairfield; and ESL teacher in Bloomfield. Sister Catherine served on the Board of Trustees for Marion Manor and Caldwell University in Caldwell and the Family Life Bureau in Morristown. Sister coordinated "Project Rachel"; developed the Innovative Guidance Program for the Archdiocese of Newark and initiated the "Ministry for Separated and Divorced" for the Diocese of Paterson.

Sister Catherine shared her love of God and Church through her educational and pastoral ministries and brought the message of God's never-failing love to all who came to know her.

Sister Catherine was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Alice and her brothers, Paul and Walter.

Sister is survived by her loving Sisters of St. Dominic, her brothers, AL and Frank; nieces, Patricia, Kelly, Deana, Alicia; and nephews, Frank, Thomas, William, Paul, Matthew and Andrew.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of St. Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated.