Sr. Catherine Gerard Kirchner, OP Obituary (1929

Sister Catherine Gerard Kirchner, OP, 93, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell for 74 years died on December 17, 2022 at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell. On Wednesday, December 21, a wake and funeral Mass will be held at Saint Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. The wake will be from 9:15 - 10:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds in Caldwell. A woman of wisdom, kindness and unending gratitude, Sister Catherine Gerard first learned of God's love for her from her parents, Gerard and Loretta (Fetherston) Kirchner. She entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on August 30, 1948, received the habit on April 21, 1949, made first profession on April 22, 1950 and final profession on April 22, 1956. Sister Catherine earned a BA from Caldwell University (formerly Caldwell College) in Social Studies and Elementary Education and a MA from Fairfield University, CT in Administration. Sister held certifications in Religion and Elementary Religion C.C.D. from Theological Union, Silver Springs, MD and Catholic University, Washington D.C. Sister Catherine was a dedicated and gifted educator. She taught elementary and junior high students at St. Aeden, Jersey City; Ascension, New Milford; St. Theresa, Paterson; and Lacordaire Academy, Upper Montclair and was principal at St. Thomas More, Fairfield. Sister Catherine served as a Pastoral Minister at Mt. Carmel, Nutley and St. Joseph, Bogota and as Director of Religious Education at Mt. Carmel, Nutley and Blessed Sacrament, Roseland. For her last 8 years in active ministry, Sister Catherine was assistant director at Lumen Center, Caldwell. During her retirement, Sister Catherine was the leader many prayer groups. Refreshments and comradery were always part of the prayer experience. Whenever and wherever there was a need, Sister continued to generously serve others. We can honor Sister Catherine's memory by striving to manifest to others the Gospel message she lived so gently and lovingly, "to love God and our neighbors." Sister Catherine Gerard was predeceased by her parents, Gerard and Loretta Kirchner, her siblings, Loretta Owen, Gerard 'Bud' Kirchner, Rita Kennedy, Theresa Ebert, and Rev. Fr. Frederick G. 'John' Kirchner, OFM. Sister is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, dear friends, and her loving Sisters of Saint Dominic. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of Saint Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated. Condolences may be left at www.proutfuneralhome.com.