Sister Kathleen Dooley, SDS
"I tried to simply be a good listener"

Sister Kathleen was a chaplain at Divine Savior Hospital and Nursing Home, Portage, Wisconsin, from 1985 to 1999. Previously, she had served as a chaplain at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee, from 1980-85. She had also been Provincial Secretary from 1972-78.

“After working in the Provincial office, I felt the call to pastoral ministry and was encouraged to go back to school to prepare for this service. I have wonderful memories of the people I worked with and for during my years at Mount Sinai and Divine Savior. The interfaith aspect of hospital and nursing home pastoral ministry was a special gift and an enriching experience,” she said.

Sister Kathleen has treasured the notes she received from many of these people. They remain in her thoughts and prayers.

“I tried to simply be a good listener, ‘be there’ for individuals and families and pray with them during times of happiness and sorrow,” Sister Kathleen noted.

She will always remember being in the emergency room with a father who lost his son in a ski accident and his words,” Sister, I may not remember your name but I will always remember your face. Thank you.”

Today Sister is a volunteer at the Sisters Community House and helps in a variety of ways in the office, sacristy and with hospitality. She recently completed a course in spiritual mentoring at the Casa Romero Renewal Center in Milwaukee.

She thinks of her initial call to be a Salvatorian Sister. “The simplicity, warmth, openness and friendliness of the Sisters during those early visits led me to believe this could be where God wanted me to be. I am so happy I responded to the call to religious life and community. A whole new world of opportunity for spiritual growth and service opened up.”