Sister Kathlyn Brenner

How do we encompass the blessing that Sister Kate Brenner – a joy-filled Franciscan woman – was to everyone she met?

850 Honey Creek Parkway, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the home of Joseph and Frances Brenner and their children: Florence; Joseph; Mary (Sister Joselyn); Kathlyn (Sister Frances, then Sister Kate); Thomas; Irene; Jean (Sister Jean, of the Congregation of St. Agnes); John; and Gerard.  Kate was born on October 2, 1930. The Brenner family was filled with joy, song, laughter, playfulness, suffering, and sorrow.

The family attended St. Catherine Parish, and the children attended school at St. Catherine’s.  Kathlyn’s second-grade teacher, Sister Rose de Lima, was an inspiration to Kate.  Kate desired to be a religious sister just like Sister Rose de Lima. When she was a senior in high school, Sister Marion James – her homeroom advisor and an important influence in Sister Kate’s life – suggested she would be a good second-grade teacher.

Kate, who always wanted to marry a farmer and have 15 children, answered a different interior calling. She decided to enter the School Sisters of St. Francis, following her sister, Mary (Sister Joselyn), who had entered the School Sisters of St. Francis two years earlier. 

During her first teaching assignment at St. Beatrice School in Schiller Park, Illinois, Sister Kate had 72 second graders!  She would often say with great happiness and joy, “I didn’t marry a farmer and have 15 children; yet look at all the children I had in the classrooms!” Sister Kate loved children.  She loved her nieces and nephews and all the children in her family.

Her 17 years at St. Beatrice School as teacher and then principal ended when Sister Kate was called to lead the Holy Name Province of Chicago. The years 1969-1975 were a time of great transitions following Vatican II. Sister Kate honored each woman’s decision to leave the congregation or stay in religious life. She was a steady, supportive, loving presence in her leadership of Holy Name Province.

In addition to leadership in the Holy Name Province, Sister Kate shared her leadership gifts in many places in the Chicago area and Illinois through the years: Catholic Charities, Alvernia High School, pastoral ministry, and youth care supervision at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. Indeed, Sister Kate loved children. She said, “I never dreamed that in working with kids, I’d laugh, learn, and love so much. I gave more than I had, and I received so much more than I gave.”

Following the years in Illinois, Sister Kate (then called Sister Frances) responded to the congregation’s call to be President of the School Sisters of St. Francis international congregation. During her time as President, Sister Kate and her team focused on the international nature of the congregation. During that time, St. Francis Province, North India was established. She traveled to all areas of the congregation: Central and South America, Germany and Switzerland, North and South India, and the United States.

When the congregational leadership term ended and Kate left the Generalate, she Kate co-directed the congregation’s development office, which today is the Office of Mission Advancement.  Kate volunteered in that office for many of her later years. She built congregational caring and prayerful relationships with donors over the years.

Upon leaving the Generalate, one sister who was new to the congregation at that time, thinking Sister Kate may be tired after serving as President for many years, asked her if she was ready to assume such a demanding position as co-director of advancement. Sister Kate, responding with great enthusiasm, joy, and her infectious laugh, said, “Are you kidding? I have traveled all over the world visiting our sisters. Now I have the opportunity to support them in this way.”  

Kate and that sister later lived together in community, and the sister learned what so many others already knew: Kate had a loving, generous, and compassionate heart. 

The following was written by Kate’s sister, Sister Joselyn, when Kate turned 78:

“From early childhood, Kate was the Irish one among us with her dark wavy hair and blue eyes. Her even disposition overcame many a challenge, from elders to brothers and sisters. Her laugh is “heard around the world,” and to this day her smile captures hearts everywhere. Her friends can be found down through the years, and she knows them each by name.

“Kate’s Franciscan life envisions values like those of St. Francis and St. Clare, and our foundresses in community, Mother Alexia, Mother Alfons, and Sister Clara. Her mission reaches to the poor, those suffering unjustly, the immigrants, and all who search out God’s plan for peace. Her love stretches internationally and still has plenty room for being a strong presence among us!”

Those of us who lived with Sister Kate over the years have known a prayerful, joyous woman, a woman whose heart was full of compassion and who engaged her living groups in reaching out to those in need.

In the early 2000s, Sister Kate and her sister, Sister Joselyn, welcomed then-new members into the United States Province by living in community and sharing everyday life and prayer. Their enthusiasm and generosity sharing home, love, sisterly care, and enduring friendships will never be forgotten.

That love and sisterly care is not forgotten by the sisters around the world from Latin America, Europe, and India.  These women join us in prayer and solidarity. Sister Kate was known for her wisdom, guidance, dedication and singing throughout the congregation. Melody flowed from her heart.

Many of us School Sisters of St. Francis and Associates recall Sister Kate calling us together in community with her beautifully sung “Alleluia.”  “Alleluia” was also the song of her sister, Sister Joselyn.  Now, with all her family, beloved sisters, and friends, she sings “Alleluia” and joins them in the Mystery of Oneness.   

Alleluia, Sister Kate! We are grateful for your loving presence among us.