Sr. Katherine Marie Dyckman, Snjm Obituary (1931 - 2015)

'It gives me consolation to help people get in touch with how much God loves them." At the heart of Sister Katherine Marie Dyckman's life were the gifts of grace, courage, and insight. Grace came in co-authoring with L. Patrick Carroll Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet where the focus was on the faith journey leading to concern for others "so that we can help build the kingdom" together with justice for all. Grace also came in the form of friends Sister Mary Garvin and Sister Elizabeth Liebert with whom Sister Katherine Marie co-authored The Spiritual Exercises Reclaimed: Uncovering Liberating Possibilities for Women. This collaborative effort of scholarship and dialogue called each reader to live "reverencing the earth, caring for it, and seeing it as companion." Courage came for Katherine and her colleagues in co-founding Spirituality in the Everyday Life (SEEL) Program. Beyond Seattle and the Northwest, SEEL enabled "the laity to take the responsibility that Vatican II wanted them to have to interpret their experiences in the light of the holy." Courage also came in the form of shaping the Transforming Spirituality Program at Seattle University with Marianne LaBarre and Sharon Callahan. Insight came in the form of serving as Director of Formation for the Washington Province graciously discerning with new members their call to service in the Church. Insight also came in the form of Sister Katherine Marie's insistent appeal like that of the persistent widow in Luke's Gospel: "My hope is that all the graces of Vatican II will be allowed to move forward and to take hold of the church so that we can move to living as Christ calls us to live, being animated by his Spirit." Just as Sister Katherine Marie celebrated her Golden Jubilee on Pentecost in 2005, she now rejoices in the Spirit spreading new life throughout the world. Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 W. Fort Wright Dr., Spokane, WA 99224. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Sr. Katherine Marie Dyckman, SNJM, please click here to visit our sympathy store.