Sister Kathleen Moran, CSJ

(Sister James Paula)

We Remember her in the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer.

October 1, 1948 – June 22, 2025

In the 58ᵗʰ year of her Religious Life. Entered: September 10, 1967

God will have the last word in our lives as indeed God had the first, and it is the same word: “Let there be life!”                                   

– Elizabeth Johnson CSJ

Sister Kathleen Moran brought Life into all she touched. In the classroom as a teacher or a student, in the Principal’s Office or at the Retreat Center, in Campus or Pastoral Ministry, or in Congregation Leadership, Kathleen brought life, her life and God’s life. With family or community, friends or those with whom she ministered, Kathleen shared the fullness of Life. 

Kathleen Jane Moran was born in West Roxbury on October 1, 1948 to Francis and Honora Moran, the third girl in the family following Sheila and Claire. Three years later, her brother Kevin was born. Kevin and Kathleen were very close when they were growing up, as they were so close in age, to the point that Kathleen often became his protector or defender, especially when he was in trouble. During these early years, Kathy developed her life-long love for camping when she and Kevin and their father spent most of the summer camping in a tent at Myles Standish Reservation in Carver. What wonderful summer memories she treasured! After graduating from St. Thomas High School in Jamaica Plain, Kathleen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1967. Both Claire and Kevin say Kathy was the “Best of us”; always positive, supportive and ready to help whenever and wherever it was needed.

Sister Kathleen had very interesting and varied experiences in Ministry. She loved her teaching days and her students, and they loved her. Her early experience as a biology teacher at Newton Catholic is reflected upon by one of her former students. To quote Gail Sullivan Begley, “I took two biology courses with you.  These classes were so interesting and exciting – thanks to your enthusiasm and patience – I was inspired to major biology, earn my PHD, do research at Oxford and Harvard and teach at Northeastern University.  My life in science has been a gift and I am grateful to you for starting me on this amazing journey.” 

Kathleen’s experience at Weston School of Theology, earning a Masters’ Degree in Divinity led her gradually to new ministries. After a few years as Principal of Mount St. Joseph Academy, Kathleen was drawn away from schools. For the next 35 years, she felt called to retreat work at St. Joseph Retreat Center in Cohasset, campus ministry at Aquinas Junior College in Newton, and finally to pastoral Ministry at St. Luke’s Parish in Belmont for over 20 years. During that time, she also served for six years on the Leadership Team of the Congregation as Area Councilor.

All of these ministries involved working as a team. Sister Kathleen’s reflective and discerning thought process were a great gift. She was a student, a reader, a thinker who looked at issues from all sides. Once a decision was made, she tried to present the situation in ways that would be most growth filled and positive for those involved. She endeavored to present her ideas in a respectful and sensitive way. Her broad perspective enabled her to address the issues for now, but also for the future. Kathleen used her intelligence and creativity to open people’s minds to news ways of thinking, new ways of responding to God in their lives. In her ministries, she was totally grounded in the Core Values of the Sisters of St. Joseph. We strive to see Relationship at the Heart of Mission. We work to unite neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God. 

Kathleen was busy, responding to God’s calls to ministry in many ways. Nevertheless, her family was so important to her. She was faithful to her mother when help and care for her were needed. She was instrumental in having her mother go to Bethany as a resident where she received such wonderful care.  Later, she was so supportive and helpful when Claire and others in the family dealt with serious health issues. She loved spending holidays with her siblings and of courses with her nieces and nephews and their families. Whether it was Duxbury, New Hampshire, North Andover, or other places, Kathleen made every effort to be present as she so thoroughly enjoyed watching the children grow up. Bringing gifts and spending time with them were very happy moments for her. They loved their special celebrations with her.

The camping that was such a part of her early days continued to be a wonderful way to relax and to see new places as she and her dear friend, Mary Foley, traveled and camped around the country. When camping was no longer possible, Mary and Kathleen, with her sister Claire, ventured on a wonderful trip to Alaska. 

Our First Reading today from Lamentations reminds us:

It is because I remember all this that I have hope. God is all I have, so I will wait in patience.

All her life, but especially in later days, as her body began to fail her, Kathleen had hope because she knew that God was all she had. She waited in patience. She waited with courage. She continued to push herself to walk when it was no longer easy. She strove to be independent at each step along her journey.  She could do it, because she knew that God was with her. Thank you Kathleen for your commitment, your dedication and your courage. 

Mary Ellen O’Connell, CSJ

June 27, 2025