Sister Catherine Fitzgibbon

Catherine Fitzgibbon grew up in Holy Name parish in Brooklyn and attended the parish elementary school. It was there she met the Sisters of St. Joseph. She was taught by them again at Bishop McDonnell HS. Catherine can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to become a Sister. Since the Sisters of St. Joseph were the ones she knew best, when it was time, she entered the congregation.

At age fifteen, Catherine had begun to work at the New York Life Insurance Company. By the time she was leaving to enter the convent in 1954, her organizational skills and business sense had brought her to the role of supervisor. As a farewell gift, New York Life gave her the trunk and all the necessary supplies it held that Sisters were required to bring. So, Catherine left her business career to follow her desire to enter the Novitiate. At Reception, she received the religious name Sister Timothy Marie.

Catherine’s first mission was at St. Ambrose Parish in Brooklyn where she taught the first grade. In the following years, she taught in elementary schools in a succession of parishes in Brooklyn and Queens- Precious Blood in Astoria, St. Joseph in Cedarhurst, and Our Lady of Lourdes and Blessed Sacrament in Brooklyn.

During that time, Catherine was attending St. Joseph’s College, New York and majoring in history. She became part of a pilot program implementing the new history curriculum being mandated by New York State. S. John Raymond, who came to observe her, was in charge of education and was looking for candidates to teach deaf children. She observed Catherine’s manner and believed it would suit her for this work.

A new path opened. Catherine was sent to observe and live at St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf. She then lived at and attended the program at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo which was run by Sisters of St. Joseph. St. Mary’s was a boarding school and the children rarely saw their parents except at holidays. It was a true immersion experience for Catherine. She then went to Canisius College to earn an MS in Education of the Deaf. All her studies in deaf education were fully funded by federal grants. She remembers that Mother Immaculata who was very attentive wrote at least once a month and reflected on the beauty of New York State.

In 1968, Catherine was assigned to the Cleary School. Cleary School for the Deaf originated in 1925 in Suffolk County, Long Island, when Rosemary Cleary opened Camp Peter Pan. While awaiting the establishment of the school facility in Ronkonkoma, Ms. Cleary opened classes at her home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Some of Ms. Cleary’s family members assisted on staff to make the school a success for deaf children. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockville Centre legally assumed sponsorship of the school in 1960. At the request of Rosemary Cleary, it was decided that the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York, would join the school staff and eventually assume administrative responsibility.

Catherine became one of those Sisters. She began by teaching 7- and 8-year-old children in the summer. Her first class was all girls some of whom are still in contact with her. She later taught teenagers. While teaching Catherine also earned certification in administration and supervision at Hofstra University. By then Catherine had become principal. When the position became open, she was assigned to be Superintendent.

During the 1960s and 70s, educators of deaf children did not accept sign language as a method of teaching, Lip reading was the standard. Yet it was clear that adding sign language would be a significant help to learning. Catherine was part of implementing the change and there was a major improvement. It made all the difference to teachers and children.

Catherine remembers her time at Cleary as great years. She loved the children and enjoyed living with the sisters who taught them. She was in this ministry until 2003 when she left her position as superintendent.

Since then, Catherine has given her time to serve on various congregational committees. She is a longtime member of the Liturgy committee. Her motto has been to never say no to a request. She believes that saying yes has brought her to many different experiences and enabled her to meet many wonderful people.

Catherine believes that religious life will evolve but will always be present in some form. “People want to do more”, she says, “and the Spirit of God is present.”

As for life, “Say yes if asked,” she advises, ”Don’t say no. Surprises that come are wonderful and life changing.”

Although retired, like so many sisters, she really isn’t. She continues to give what she can in a positive and joyful manner and to be a productive and interested member of the congregation.

“This is the quiet inner glow of the sister whose life in the service of Jesus Christ has been successful.”
 Marius Nepper, S.J.