Memorials

Sister Dolores Katzenberger, CSJ

Today we gather to celebrate and give thanks for the kind and beautiful life of Sister Dolores Katzenberger, formerly Sister Joseph Dolores, a Sister of St. Joseph for seventy-seven faith-filled years.
For the past 23 years Dolores has called St. Joseph Convent her home~ a holy place where her relationship with God was nurtured by daily Eucharist and prayer experiences ~ (we can all point out Dolores’ pew in Chapel. Her presence radiated peace.) Dolores’ words of praise and gratitude to each and every person who ministered to her and with her will echo forever ~
Upon hearing of Dolores’ death, her dedicated and loving caregivers and companions, especially Thelma and Anna, all spoke of Dolores’ kindness and beautiful acceptance of all people and circumstances. She didn’t just give credence to God’s will but lived it magnificently well with dignity and grace by her daily actions and witness to our charism.
From her earliest days growing up in St. Paschal Baylon parish, Dolores, beloved daughter of Frederick and Anna, and treasured sister of Frederick, Gerard, and Annette was nurtured in her faith always with a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph.
After attending St. Joseph Juniorate, Dolores entered the community with her heart set on becoming a teacher ~ and teach, she did, serving in eight different schools. Many of her former students were part of her life over the years with gratitude for her passionate love of learning and witness to Gospel living. It was commented on social media that Dolores epitomized a true disciple and woman of the church. The bridge between Dolores’ elementary and secondary experience brought her into the role of Principal at St. Cyril and Methodius. The lure of the classroom and the joy of sharing life experiences with young people as a teacher were answered with Dolores’ transfer to Sacred Heart Academy where she ministered in a variety of roles for seventeen years as teacher, librarian and school treasurer.
Known for her serenity, common sense and incredible kindness, Dolores touched the minds and hearts of faculty, students and families at Sacred Heart and we welcome some of her colleagues who are with us today.
The year 2002 brought Dolores to her home here in Brentwood, io offer her time and talent at the Academy, our Mission Advancement Office and on the homefront in the convent.
Dolores was also, by her lived example an advocate for “life on wheels”. Her scooter gave her a freedom that enabled her to be an active part of the community she loved. Her words of gratitude towards the community’s largesse were expressed best by the way she lived.
We’re happy that Thomas and Dori, members of Dolores’ family will now share some personal reflections.

 

On behalf of my sisters and myself, I am honored to say a few words about our Aunt Dolores.
When asked if we would like the opportunity to share a few memories, we gathered together and shared our thoughts, our sorrow, and our love.
Some of us spoke of Aunt Dolores’ knowledge of our family lore – She was certainly one of our Katzenberger family historians. We will miss her stories.
Some of us remarked on her embrace of modern technology, adeptly using her iPad to keep in touch, offering a shoulder to lean on, a sympathetic ear when one of us shared a concern, or to cheer right along with us about family accomplishments, happiness, and joy-filled events.
We all admired her pursuit of higher education, her insights gained through world travel, her career as an educator, and her often humorous anecdotes involving any and all of these aspects of her life.
We reflected on her life of service, her strength and grace derived from her unwavering faith, coupled with an open-mindedness about the path one could take to come closer to God.
We recalled so many interactions that left deep impressions… It was difficult to pick just one or two to share with you today.
We finally decided on one that will likely resonate with many of us here today: The celebration of Aunt Dolores’ 50th Jubilee.
To look back at our family photo taken that day is awe inspiring – not to mention how much younger we all were!
That day was truly a celebration! We recalled the large number of people present – family, friends and so many fellow Sisters from her St Joseph community. We remembered both the solemnity and the gaiety of the day – the music, the laughter, the DANCING!
At one point, the music for the Macacarena started playing. Anne’s youngest son, Dan, who was 8 years old at the time, came over to his mom and asked, ‘Do you think it would be OK if we danced to this’? Anne and I looked at each other, a little wary, but what the heck! So, Dan started doing the simple hand movements and steps of the dance, and we all joined him. Before too long, we had sort of a Conga line, weaving between the tables, doing the Macarena, including Aunt Dolores and many of her fellow Sisters! At one point, as we snaked our way around the hall, we caught sight of Aunt Dolores, in the Conga line, following Dan’s direction, and sporting an open smile that stretched from ear to ear. We will never forget that day!
I would like to close my remarks about our dear Aunt Dolores, sharing with you the most marvelous gift she gave to my sisters and me.
When as young children we would inquire of our mom – How did you and Dad meet, the story we recall is that our mom, Judy, and Aunt Dolores were friends, and it was through that friendship that mom met her Jerry, one of Aunt Dolores’ brothers. Judy and Jerry fell in love, got married and had five children – all girls – the four sisters here today, plus one who could not be with us today in person. She is here with us I in spirit and thought. If not for that friendship, we would likely not have come into this world. So, thank you, Aunt Dolores, for the hand you had in providing us one of our most precious gifts – the love, joy, and strength we find in each other.

Sister Dolores Katzenberger, CSJ, the former Sister Joseph Dolores, died on January 26,2025 in the 77th year of her religious life.

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