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Sister Ida Catherine Sullivan
March 4, 1922 - October 2, 2000
Eulogy by Sister Harold Ann Jones
Sixty years ago Regina Sullivan, now known as Sister Ida Catherine, along with fifteen other young women entered the Sisters of Charity. We became known as "The Group of Sixteen". We stayed close over these sixty years and even though some of us are in heaven, we are still known as "The Group of Sixteen".
The group met yesterday to reminisce about Sister Ida Catherine and to discuss what we would want to be included in this eulogy. What I am about share are not solely my thoughts. They are our tribute to you, Sister Ida Catherine, from "The Group of Sixteen".
Sister Ida Catherine was the ninth of twelve children. She attended St. John the Baptist Elementary School and graduated from St. John the Baptist High School. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1940.
Sister earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Duquesne University and taught primary grades in various schools in the dioceses in which we minister. After nearly forty years in education, Sister was involved in health care services at Kane Hospital and at Assumption Hall.
In 1987, Father Regis Ryan appealed to various congregations for sisters to staff the "Focus on Renewal" program which had been established in the depressed area of McKees Rocks, Pa. Our superiors asked Sister Ida Catherine if she would respond to the plea to work among the poor and elderly people. Her response was an immediate "yes". This ministry became the love of her life. She worked there for twelve years, giving her whole heart and soul to the people, serving them in their needs, loving them, emulating God's love for them.
When former Communications Specialist Linda Galati made a visit to the Focus on Renewal program for a photo session with Sister Ida Catherine at her ministry site, she tells us that her anticipated short stay ended up being a four-hour, delightful visit. She visited the center where she had to meet every client. Every person in various ways told Linda how kind Sister was, and how much they loved her because she brought so much life and joy into their lives. Then the two of them took to the streets to meet some of the homebound people Sister visited, and to hear over and over of their love for Sister.
Sister Ida Catherine managed a bingo every Wednesday afternoon for her friends at the center. Everyone could afford to come because it was free. She often purchased form her own small allowance odds and ends of little
things to be used as prizes. It was not beneath her to ask her friends to help her with these purchases. A pencil, a pen, a pretty card or a candy bar brought a sparkle to the eyes of the lucky winners.
Sister had a second love of which she was very proud and which brought her great joy. For fifty-eight years she prepared children in religious education classes for the reception of their First Eucharist. That is are cord and would certainly gain her a high place in heaven. I wonder how many children she taught during those fifty-eight years.
Sister Ida Catherine loved everyone and everything. She greeted any person she met and would start a conversation. In no time she would add another acquaintance to her list. In her beautiful simplicity and innocence, she trusted people, and they trusted her. With her contagious laugh and beautiful smile, they allowed her into their lives to bring the message of God's love to them. Like Nathaniel in the Scriptures, she was truly without guile.
Sister was the essence of kindness and hospitality. It made no difference to her if you were rich or poor, an adult or a child, black or white, intelligent or otherwise, president or pope, she saw a beautiful person who was God's creation and someone she could love.
Sister Ida Catherine could live her life as she did because she herself was steeped in the love of God. Ever faithful to her prayer life, she kept her focus on serving everyone and especially the poor. Material things meant little or nothing to her.
I cannot help but think that her unexpected death is a gift to us, reminding each of us to ask ourselves how we measure up to the life Sister Ida Catherine lived as she served the Lord through the poor.
I wonder if Sister Ida Catherine really died of a heart attack. I think she died of an enlarged heart, full of love and large enough to embrace and love anyone who came into her path. You and I were included in that love.
Our lives were enriched by your presence among us, Idie, and life will be very different without you.
Obituary as it appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Online
Sister Ida Catherine Sullivan
Greensburg
Formerly of Pittsburgh
Sister Ida Catherine Sullivan, 78, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, in Jeannette District Memorial Hospital. She was born March 4, 1922, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Patrick P. and Ida Catherine (Tintlenot) Sullivan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five sisters, Catherine, Bernadette, Gertrude, Marie and Dorothy Sullivan; and four brothers, John, Robert, William and Joseph Sullivan. She is survived by a brother, James E. Sullivan; and a sister, Sister Marie Patrick Sullivan, S.C.; and nieces and nephews. She was a popular presence at Focus on Renewal in McKees Rocks until her recent retirement. She entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill Sept. 8, 1940, from St. John the Baptist Parish, Lawrenceville. Sister earned a bachelor of education from Duquesne University in 1953. Sister Ida Catherine taught elementary school for 36 years in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Altoona-Johnstown, Tucson and Phoenix. Later, she gained certification as a nurse aide and ministered at Kane Hospital, Pittsburgh, and at the Sisters Infirmary, Assumption Hall, Greensburg. In 1987, she began her long tenure at Focus on Renewal (F.O.R), where her presence enhanced the lives of those at the Center, and those homebound or nursing home residents she visited. Throughout her 56 years of active ministry, Sister Ida Catherine also taught religious education in parishes where she resided. In the summer of 1999, she returned to the Motherhouse, Caritas Christi.Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity,
DePaul Center,
463 Mt. Thor Road,
Greensburg, PA 15601.