Sister Catherine Green, RSM Obituary (1933 - 2014)

PORTLAND - Sister Catherine Green, RSM, 80 yrs., (formerly Sister Mary Padraic) died at Mercy Hospital, on March 4, 2014, after a short illness. She was born in Portland, Maine on December 1, 1933, a daughter of Barbara E. Davis and Patrick H. Green. She received her elementary education at Sacred Heart School, Portland and graduated from Cathedral High School, Portland, in 1951. After graduating from high school, Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of Mercy, Portland, from St. Patrick's Parish. She earned her B.S. degree from St. Joseph's College, Standish and continued her studies at St. Michael's College, Vermont, receiving her M.A. in Theology. Sister Catherine taught in several parochial schools in Maine, beginning at St. Mary's School, Bangor; St. Mary's, Old Town; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fairfield; St. Joseph's, Lewiston and St. Joseph's, Portland. In 1969, Sister Catherine began her career in religious education, becoming the Director of CCD at Holy Cross Parish, South Portland. She then went to St, Teresa's, Brewer, as the Coordinator of Religious Education while residing at St. Xavier's Convent, Bangor. In 1984, Sister Catherine was assigned to chair and teach religion at Catherine McAuley High School, Portland. Concurrently, she taught classes at St. Joseph's College, Standish, where she also taught in the summer months. During the summer residency; she particularly enjoyed meeting people from many states and in different walks of life. She often spoke of the team spirit, mutual support and the sharing that contributed to a positive learning experience. Sister Catherine was affirmed in the classes she taught and received an Outstanding Faculty Award for Continuing and Professional Studies from St. Joseph's College. She also served on many Diocesan Boards. In the third phase of her ministry, Sister Catherine joined the Diocesan Office of Catechetic and Initiation; her work encompassed the greater Bangor area, including Penobscot and Washington counties. During this time, Sr. Catherine gave many retreats in the various parishes throughout the state for children as well as adults. She always enjoyed spreading the love of God for His People with sincerity and humor. As a Catechetical Leader, she worked closely with the parish priests, religious education teachers and parents as a resource. A woman of deep faith, Sister Catherine demonstrated this in her love of Mass and the Rosary. When entering religious life, she chose God Alone, as her motto, which was the foundation of her faithfulness to God and His Church. In addition to her parents, Sister Catherine Green was predeceased by her brothers, John, Joseph and his wife Madeleine, her sisters, Elizabeth and her husband Royce and Mary. She is survived by her nephews, Royce M. Guptill, Gorham and Steven D. Green M.D., N.Y.; her nieces, M. Louise Densmore, Windham; C.B. Jane Hess, TX, Colleen M. Browne, Gorham; Kathleen A. Levesque, Gorham and Ellen R. Guptill, Portland. She is also survived by several cousins as well as her Sisters in community. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7th, from 3 - 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6 p.m. at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Pius Church, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Catherine Green's memory may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy, 966 Riverside St., Portland 04103. Online condolences may be expressed below.