Sister Cathy Galaskiewicz, OP

Sister Cathy Galaskiewicz, OP, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace recently shared her story with SOAR!

I am now celebrating 66 years of vowed religious life as a Dominican Sister!

I was drawn to this life by the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine, Kentucky who taught me in grade school in Chicago. When I graduated from high school, I told my parents that I wanted to enter the motherhouse convent of our Dominican Sisters in Kentucky. At first they resisted, but then decided to support me and let me check this out to see if it was for me. What a blessing this vocation has been for me!

I have had many wonderful ministries and adventures as a Sister teaching in Catholic schools and parishes, beginning in the 1960’s. My first mission was in McMechen, West Virginia where I taught double grades for five years. Next came twelve years in Louisville teaching at a grade school, then at an inner city junior high, and finally at a girls’ high school. Then I went to Memphis where I had various ministries in succession but all of them were about sharing the Good News of God’s Love, the Good News of our faith. Ministries took place at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, Christian Brothers University, also as Vicar for Religious and finally serving the whole Diocese of Memphis as Diocesan Director of Catechesis. I was blessed to teach adults, especially catechists, in every one of our 43 parishes between the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers!

In my senior years I moved to our motherhouse at St. Catharine, Kentucky. Here we have access to physical therapy. I asked for help in balance, knowing that falling is very serious and strengthening balance is very important. Thanks to the grant from SOAR!, I have been able to improve balance by practicing on the apparatus made possible by the grant. Now I am walking with greater steadiness and more confidence. It is great to know that we have this resource available as needed for our Sisters living in our motherhouse community as well as our Care Center which offers rehab and ongoing support services. Thank you!

It has been my joy to spend my life with the Dominican Sisters and to have the opportunity to share the Good News of God’s Love with thousands of adults, teens and children. It is heartwarming to know the support and devoted care of our benefactors, and SOAR! expresses that care in practical ways that are definitely needed and appreciated. God bless you all!