Holy Cross Sr. Catherine Kamphaus to retire

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Holy Cross Sr. Catherine Kamphaus, associate superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools, is retiring. She is shown presenting diplomas at the 2011 Judge Memorial Catholic High School graduation ceremony.

SALT LAKE CITY – Sr. Catherine Kamphaus, CSC, has announced that she will retire on July 31 after more than 50 years in education, including 17 years as superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools.

“After all these years, it just felt good,” she said of her decision. “I feel like there’s a time, and a season for it, and it just feels right.”

Sr. Cathy was born in Blackfoot, Idaho and grew up in southern Idaho. The third of nine children, she felt called to the religious life at a young age. While her mother always hoped one of her children would discern a vocation, she never forced any of them, Sr. Cathy said.

“I have always prayed about what I should do, and it just seemed right for me,” she said.

Sr. Cathy investigated several religious orders, but she was particularly impressed with the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, which offered both nursing and teaching opportunities. In 1962, she joined the order and in 1965 took her vows.

“I just had had some great teachers myself,” she said. “I wanted to share something I had myself; it was always a good fit.”

Sr. Cathy began her teaching career as a second-grade teacher in Seattle, Wash. From there, she taught for several years in various Catholic schools in Washington and California before she became a school principal in Idaho Falls, Idaho, a position she held for eight years.

In 1988, Sr. Cathy came to Utah and took a position as the principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, and then as principal of Blessed Sacrament School. In 1998, she was appointed superintendent of schools by the Most Rev. George H. Niederauer, the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. 

“I enjoyed it a lot,” she said of that time. “I got to know a lot of schools and principals. It was a whole different leadership level.”

Sr. Cathy stepped down from that position six years ago and became associate superintendent of schools alongside new superintendent Mark Longe.

“It was time for someone else,” she said. “He’s great. He was a good principal when I was superintendent, and he is just great. He does a fine job and I’m really glad he’s here.”

After she retires, Sr. Cathy will continue to make her home in Salt Lake City with the other Holy Cross sisters who have become as close as her own family, she said. She also hopes to visit her family in Idaho more often.

While Sr. Cathy will retire from her position in Catholic education, she plans to continue serving by continuing to offer her talents in various ministries in her home parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, she said.

“Her love has always been parish ministry,” said Holy Cross Sr. Genevra Rolf. “She has always wanted to be where there was a parish and where she could be active in it.”

Sr. Genevra served alongside Sr. Cathy in Seattle and the two began living in community together in 1990, when Sr. Genevra came to Salt Lake City.

“She’s more like a sister to me,” Sr. Genevra said. “We’ve been friends for so long, and we each know the other’s families. She is a faithful, good Holy Cross sister who loves her ministry and has all these years been creative and involved in education.

“She was a great primary teacher. She was creative; the kids loved her. She did fun stuff and they learned with her,” Sr. Genevra said. “She was also a great administrator and a good organizer.”

Sr. Cathy will be missed in the Utah Catholic Schools system.

“In total, Sr. Cathy has dedicated 54 years of her life to Catholic education,” Longe said. “She has impacted the lives of countless students, teachers, and parents. We are grateful for her service to the Church and to the Catholic school system in Utah.”

Diocesan officials are warm in their praise of Sr. Cathy.

“Sr. Cathy has continued the wonderful tradition of leadership in Catholic school education in the Diocese of Salt Lake City that she inherited from so many of her Holy Cross predecessors,” Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general, said.  “Her personal strengths of uncomplaining hard work, faithful service, attention to detail and sensitivity and caring for each individual with whom and to whom she ministers has made her a beloved fixture in the Catholic communities of both our parishes and our schools. The diocese owes Sister Cathy an enormous debt of gratitude for all she has contributed to Catholic education these many years.”

 “As a Catholic school educator, Sister Catherine Kamphaus leaves a legacy that is truly significant,” said Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus.  “As a teacher, principal and superintendent she has worked tirelessly to support the evangelizing mission of our Catholic schools. 

“No one works harder, cares more for others or reflects a joyful and vibrant life as a religious than Sr. Cathy,” he added.  “Her loyalty to her Holy Cross community and to the diocese is admirable. Sister’s involvement in the pastoral life of her local parish has been enriching for parishioners.  We are blessed to count Sr. Catherine as a friend and collaborator in ministry and happy she will continue to provide pastoral ministry with us in Utah.”