Sr. Mary Catherine Pruente, CSJ

Mary Catherine Pruente was born in Pontiac, Michigan on July 19, 1940 the daughter of Francis Pruente and Frieda (Koehler) Pruente. Mary Catherine was a member of St. Michael Parish in Pontiac, Michigan at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on September 1, 1959. She received the name Sister Mary Vincene at her reception on July 2, 1960, but later returned to her baptismal name. Sister Mary Catherine pronounced first vows on July 2, 1962 and final vows on July 2, 1965.

Sister Mary Catherine graduated from St. Michael’s and then went on to earn her certification in Food Service in St. Louis, Missouri. Sister Mary Catherine worked for several years in Food Services at St. Veronica’s in Detroit where she also taught Catechism. At Fontbonne in Nazareth, MI. and St. Anne in East Detroit she also worked in Food Services. From 1970-1977, Sister Mary Catherine worked at St. John Hospital as a Food Service Supervisor. In 1977-78 she attended Nazareth College and also studied in Egypt, Greece and Jerusalem (Theology). After completing her Nurse’s Aide course, she spent the next six years as a Nurse Aide at Fontbonne. After caring for her ailing mother, Sister Mary Catherine continued her health care career and worked at the Sisters of Bon Secours Nursing Care Center in St. Claire Shores, MI as a Health Care aide. Sister Mary Catherine came to Nazareth Center in 1991 and spent the next several years visiting patients at Borgess Nursing Home and driving Sisters to medical appointments.

Cheerful is a virtue many use to describe Sister Mary Kay. She brought a happy spirit and offered loving service to those she served. Her deep love for the Mass gave her spiritual strength every day and supported her during times of pain and suffering. She also had a great love for the rosary which she prayed daily in gratitude for her call to religious life, for the works of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and for the universal Church. At the time of her Golden Jubilee Sr. Mary Kay wrote: “One of my greatest gifts was to be able to care for my mother who lived to be one hundred years old.” A treasured quotation from Sr. Mary Kay is Psalm 139: 13-14: “It was you who created my inmost self, and put me there in my mother’s womb; for all these mysteries I thank you: for the wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works. “

May She Rest in Peace!