By Rachel Huss, Managing Editor
A few weeks ago, Lily Hagan, Elizabeth Miller, and I spoke with Sister Cathy Nally, IHM, to complete a vodcasting exercise for Dr. Melissa Rice’s course, Podcasting and Vodcasting. This interview was never meant to become inspiration for The Immaculatan, but after getting the chance to speak with her, I knew this was something I needed to share.
Sister Cathy Nally is currently an assistant for Learning Support Services in Gabriele Library, a position she has enjoyed for the last three years. Overall, Sister Cathy has been with Immaculata University for at least eighteen years. For fifteen of those years, she dedicated her life to being the campus ministry director. After fifteen years and the evolving generations, Sister Cathy stepped back from the position because she wanted to give someone with “new tricks” the chance to lead. She said, “I loved what I was doing, but I needed to think of the students.”
When asked about her relationship with God and her faith, she said, “I was born with it.” She believes that faith is a gift from God – you have to open your heart and discover it for yourself.
In high school, Sister Cathy was simply Catherine Nally. However, she found her true calling to become a sister through her teachers and the church, “I met them in high school, so that was a very important time in my life because as I watched them, I was attracted to their humanness.” She found the sisters approachable and believed God was working through them to guide her. During high school, she served as a library aide, which allowed Sister Cathy to discuss religion and the IHM order with the head librarian. Sister Cathy commented, “I never turned back.”
A question that sparked tears and deep emotion was “What does the title ‘Sister’ mean to you?” Sister noted that she never truly thought about it and was speechless for a moment. She did mention, “When I think about it now, and it brings some tears, I just know that it means so much deeper than that [her vocation].” She is the oldest of five brothers and questioned why God didn’t give her a sister. However, she has now realized God’s plan.
Left to right: Rachel Huss, Sister Cathy Nally, Elizabeth Miller, and Lily Hagan. Image sourced from Rachel Huss.
Sister went on to tell her story of joining the IHM and her sisterhood. Upon entering the IHM congregation, they weren’t called sisters until receiving their habits. Once taking her vows and going through the remaining process, she became Sister Vincent Patrice. The title has helped her to open up her faith. We all know her now as Sister Cathy Nally rather than Sister Vincent Patrice because she chose to return to her baptismal name. Her baptismal name has been with her from the beginning of her devotion to God.
Sister Cathy explained that this zip code (Immaculata’s 19345) is going to be her home forever. She started in Villa Maria House of Studies and is now residing there due to the renovation of Gillet. She also noted the cemetery on campus. Immaculata University has been a huge piece of her life and her vocation; it would be extremely troubling to pull away from Immaculata.
Aside from her faith, Sister claims the most rewarding part of working and living at Immaculata University is the students. She gets to teach, inspire, and lead generations of students and then watch them prosper after graduation. She has described Immaculata as “a little bit of heaven.” She ended with, “This is a place that shows us what heaven is meant to be and is.”
Speaking with Sister Cathy Nally was the highlight of my day, and I know Lily and Elizabeth were also deeply touched. As Sister Cathy began to shed tears during our conversation, we all wanted to cry with her. Her life and her dedication to this school, the students, and her faith are beautiful. She is a gift from God.
