If I could choose one quality that describes our Sister Kathy Rademacher’s life, it would be “attentiveness.” She would have all people be part of the world—God’s family. There would be no outsiders, only insiders: black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, Jew and Arab, Palestinians and Israeli, Catholic and Protestant, Muslim and Christian, Buddhist and Hindu, Pakistani and Indian … all belong. S. Kathy would be the first to notice if anyone was left out, and if so, she would make sure that person would be included. She is attentive!

S. Kathy served as a teacher for 22 years and as a faith formation director for 44 years. After those 66 years in ministry, she is still attentive. Here at Saint Scholastica Convent (SSC), our retirement community, soft-spoken and unobtrusive, she serves the hot beverages at our meals, decorates the table places of sisters celebrating birthdays, creates beautiful greeting cards to send and sell, participates in liturgical ministries, drives sisters to appointments, writes thank-you cards to our donors, prepares the rooms for our overnight guests, and decorates the Benedictine Values tree which is painted on the wall and holds a different Benedictine value each month. She also servs as the contact person for her living group. She is attentive!

Thoughtful in her demeanor and speech, S. Kathy enjoys reading books from our library, playing cards, has a great sense of humor, and marvels at the former students, parishioners and relatives who visit her. She is 95 years old and in her 75th year as an inspiring monastic. She would heartily agree with Jesus who said, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all to me.” Not some, but all!

S. Kathy seeks to be attentive at SSC where she lives and where her heart still holds the poor and serves them when possible. Should you ask her how she herself is doing, her response will be, “I’m happy, blessed and grateful”—and she could add, “Attentive!”

Jubilee profile written by Renée Domeier, OSB