Sister Catherine Ginty, CSJ 

(Sister Dorena)

We Remember her in the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring.

January 25, 1924 – April 15, 2025

In the 82nd year of her Religious Life. Entered: September 8, 1943

How perfect was Sister Catherine’s timing!  The first Reading she chose from the Song of Songs, says, “Arise my love, my fair one and come away.  Winter is past, the flowers appear on the earth and the time for singing has come.” 

I am sure that Sister Catherine Ginty has been singing in God’s presence for the past week, as she did during her life.

Catherine Theresa Ginty was born on January 25, 1924 into a very warm, Irish Catholic family, where her faith was nurtured by her loving parents, Anthony and Margaret and her older siblings Anne, Thomas and Margaret.  Her 12 years in school with the Sisters of St. Joseph were supportive and growth-filled years, especially when her older siblings moved out for work or marriage.  It was then that her sister, Margaret entered the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Later, in September of 1943 Catherine realized her own dream when she was accepted into the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph and later received the religious name, Sister Dorena. 

Sister Catherine’s early days in ministry-involved teaching in elementary schools, and at Mount St. Joseph Academy. In 1963, she went to Aquinas Junior College in Newton. It was there, while living at Maria Convent, that she met her dear friend of the next 60 years, Roberta Ristuccia. Later, Sister Catherine’s secretarial skills enabled her to respond to needs in a variety of ministries, including Regis College and two employment centers where she loved her interaction with staff and clients. Later, she served as an administrative assistant at St. Agatha School in Milton.  Through these ministries, the committees on which she participated, her presence at meetings, and her call to serve as an Area Councilor, Catherine responded with a generous and compassionate heart. She held in her heart the words of our second reading, “The steadfast love of God never ceases… I will hope in God” 

Catherine’s family was important to her, as she and her Sister Margaret celebrated so many wonderful occasions with her dear nieces, Margaret and Nancy, and their families they were always touched by her attentive listening, with no judgment. Her wealth of knowledge and genuine sharing were gift to her family. Her faithful, supportive presence with Margaret throughout her days was a blessing. 

Catherine was a deeply spiritual woman. She describes her retirement years as “a golden opportunity” to deepen her spiritual life and to enrich the lives of others through hospital ministry, tutoring in the Literacy Connection, assisting in the Sponsored Ministries Office, or actively engaging in the justice and peace activities of our Congregation. Catherine proclaimed that she was on a new faith journey, as a woman of the Church, and rooted in the Gospel of Love. This expanded and deepened her spirituality so that “she was impelled by the active inclusive love of God to be open to all of life, and to seek God in this new age of chaos and confusion and be for others a person of hope and peace.”  She maintained that her retirement was symbolized by a photograph of autumn trees bordering a path that slowly disappears, leaving the viewer wondering where it leads. 

Her faithful and faith-filled commitment to God and our Congregation was evident as she endeavored to enrich her own life, in order that she might better enrich the lives of others. Sabbatical time, enrichment workshops, current religious and spiritual readings challenged Catherine to be better prepared to face the new experiences that were to follow. She stayed current with Vatican II, post-Vatican Theology, as well as Cosmic and eco-spirituality. She brought wisdom and vision to all the interpersonal situations that came her way. Her compassionate presence enriched the lives of those whom she encountered. To quote a former student, “Her faith was so powerful that I was often awestruck. Her quiet demeanor was so disarming that the strength of her character shone like a beacon.” 

Seven years ago, Sister Catherine celebrated 75 years of religious life, with deep and profound gratitude. During that prayer, everyone sang the song All My Days. “Till the end of my days, O Lord, I will bless your name, sing your praise, give you thanks, all my days.” All who knew Sister Catherine Ginty knew that she sang for joy, praised God’s name, and gave God thanks. Now at the end of her days, God is singing for joy, welcoming Catherine, and giving thanks for the ways in which she lived her 101 years so faithfully among her family, friends, religious congregation, and those with whom she ministered. 

Given by: Mary Ellen O’Connell, CSJ

April 23, 2025