Remembering Sister Katherine Kase, CSC

IN MEMORY SISTER KATHERINE KASE, CSC

Sister Katherine Kase, CSC, former principal and president of The Academy of the Holy Cross passed away on September 3, 2021, at Ernestine M. Raclin Hospice House in Mishawaka, IN. Sister Katherine’s funeral took place on September 10, 2021 at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, IN.

Sister Katherine was born in 1942 in Chicago and grew up in Las Vegas where she attended St. Joseph’s School and Bishop Gorman High School, taught by Sisters of the Holy Cross. She entered the Congregation in 1961 and professed final vows in 1964. Sister Katherine earned her bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College and master’s from Mundelein College. She served as teacher, principal and campus ministry coordinator in schools across the country.

In a memorial tribute about Sister Katherine, Sister Grace Shonk, CSC wrote:

Sister Katherine also had a strong sense of social justice. She was among the first sisters who understood the need to examine the Congregation’s ministries through that lens. During her teaching years, she strived to imbue youth with a sense of social justice in the context of Catholic secondary education.

In 1991, Sister Katherine came to The Academy of the Holy Cross, initially to formalize the Christian service program and coordinate the school’s curricular program. Beginning in 1992, she served as Principal for 14 years and as President for two years. Sister Katherine’s vision helped the Holy Cross community to develop a strategic long-range plan and the creation of the current school mission statement, including the iconic phrase “women of courage, compassion and scholarship.” Additionally, Sister Katherine oversaw the transference of governance from ownership to sponsorship by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It was also under Sister Katherine’s leadership that a capital campaign was launched resulting in the addition of the Arts and Sciences wing and 400-seat Theatre.

Following her time at Holy Cross, Sister Katherine served as the sisters’ vocation coordinator for the area of North America and lived in community and monitored the congregation novices from other countries who were spending time on a mission experience in the United States. She also volunteered with Rosaria Communities, Inc., an independent living program for people with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Sister Katherine led a dedicated life of service to many, including hundreds of students at The Academy of the Holy Cross. Our community will forever be grateful for her leadership.