Sr. Cathy Kamphaus honored on her Golden Jubilee

Friday, Aug. 21, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Fifty years ago, when Sister Catherine Kamphaus professed her initial vows as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, she made what she considered to be a permanent commitment.

In the half century since then, she has seen many changes to the Catholic Church, to her religious order and to society, but she has never thought of taking back her promise.

The best part of being a sister “for me is knowing that I’m in the right place, doing the right thing, being at peace with who I am,” said Sr. Cathy, who was the Utah Catholic Schools superintendent for 17 years and just this month relinquished that post, though she will continue to serve as the associate superintendent.

While in high school in Idaho, she discerned her vocation and she investigated several women religious orders, choosing Holy Cross because she wanted to be a teacher, and in those days the sisters in the order were either teachers or nurses.

She entered formation with 60 other young women; when she returned to Indiana this summer for the Golden Jubilee celebration, only six were present; many of the others had left the order either during formation or afterward.

During those tumultuous times, Sr. Cathy wondered if she were missing something by choosing to stay, “I’m very happy that I have,” she said. “I think 50 years … makes a statement to the world. It’s not just a jubilee for me, it’s for my parish, for my family, for people in general to see that someone could have that long of a commitment.”

Service, helping other people know God, and developing a deeper relationship with him herself “sustains us and keeps us knowing that this is the right thing to do,” said Sr. Cathy, who also serves as the spiritual moderator for the Ladies of Charity in Salt Lake City.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree and professing final vows, Sr. Cathy began as a teacher in the primary grades.

“The teaching itself had its own rewards and it affirmed me,” she said, adding that she loved working with both the children and their parents, particularly in faith formation such as First Communion classes.

After years in the classroom she moved into administration, serving as a principal for eight years in Idaho Falls, then 10 years in the Diocese of Salt Lake City at Our Lady of Lourdes and Blessed Sacrament schools. 

When she was tapped to become superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools, “we were very sorry to lose her,” said Monsignor Robert Servatius, Blessed Sacrament pastor. “She was very professional with the school” and was always looking for ways to improve the curriculum and the functioning of the school, he added.

Sr. Cathy “just fit perfectly” as a superintendent, said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator, who was on the selection committee for the post. “She’s enormously generous and says ‘yes’ to whatever she’s asked to do. Even if she was uncomfortable with the challenge, she would say ‘yes.’ That’s just part of how she is as a Holy Cross sister and her own personality.” 

For the 27 years Sr. Cathy has been in Utah, she has been a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, which hosted a reception for her on Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption. During the celebratory Mass, Father J.J. Schwall, pastor, said that Sr. Cathy “has lived the Magnificat … she has said ‘yes’ to God, thousands and thousands of ‘yeses.’”

In a later interview, he said that Sr. Cathy runs the parish liturgy committee, which is tremendously helpful to him. On a personal level, “I find her to be inspiring because of her dedication,” he said, and “She’s a joy to be with. I’ve never known her to be anything but gracious.” 

Many members of her family attended the reception. 

“I just never thought of her as a nun, except she wore funny clothes sometimes. She’s just like everybody else,” said Heidi Leek, her niece, who works at the Skaggs Catholic Center’s Guardian Angel Daycare. “She’s always fair, whether she’s Sr. Cathy or Sr. Catherine or Aunt Cathy, she’s the same person. She’s awesome. She’s honest, she’s straightforward, she’s just the most generous, kind, loving person I’ve ever met.”

Looking back over her lifelong ministry, “It’s been a good journey,” Sr. Cathy said. “Fifty years —they’ve all been good years, because it was the right thing to be and to do.”