Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI

Sister Mary Kabat

Whether a teacher or development director, it's all done with great love

Sister Mary Kabat

Mary Kabat was born in Green Bay, the fifth of eight children of Lawrence and Berdie Kabat. School life began at Annunciation School where the seed of a vocation to religious life began to grow. When the family moved into St. Jude Parish, the seed blossomed.

Meeting the Bay Settlement Sisters brought light and joy to Mary’s life. Walking into St. Jude School, she heard the Sisters’ laughter, saw them calling down the hall to one another and saw one wearing tennis shoes as she worked in her classroom. Mary knew that these were the Sisters she wanted to spend her life with. Mary involved herself in parish life - working at parish events, singing in the guitar choir and teaching religious education classes. After high school she joined the Bay Settlement Sisters. She was received as Sister Mary in 1973, professed temporary vows in 1975 and perpetual vows in 1980.

Being a Sister-teacher was a great joy. Sister Mary’s goal was to create a learning environment in which children felt safe, happy and respected and where each could learn to their full potential. She went on to earn her master’s degree in education and served as a principal.

With a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, Sister Mary could no longer work the hours that school ministry required. In time, when her Community needed a Sister to continue the development ministry and raise funds for a new convent, she accepted the challenge. For 20 years now, it has been a wonderful ministry of inviting people to share in the life and mission of the Sisters and of growing relationships with the family and friends of the Sisters, living and deceased.

In 2022 her Sisters elected her to serve as a vice president on the Community’s Leadership Team. 50 years lived and God willing, more joy and opportunities to serve ahead!


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