Sister Kate Arseneau, CSJ: Celebrating 60 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet

As I look back on my years, I have the closing phrase of a favorite hymn playing over and over in my head, “And all that we can offer you is thanks”

In looking back on her 60 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Sister Kate Areseneau is reminded of a favorite hymn: ‘And all that we can offer you is thanks.’ (Photo provided)

Sixty years is a long time. How does it happen, then, that all those years can pass in what feels like an instant? I was 17 years old when my family and I made the “one-way trip” from Syracuse to Latham. It was a trip that carried me to a life that was very unfamiliar … a life that would introduce me to countless new people, places and life experiences. Certainly, I did not have a clue about how my life would change in the short and long term. I had just finished high school and was living with my three siblings and parents. I moved into St. Joseph’s Provincial House with a “postulant class” of 60 young women in a house of 250 professed sisters. It was overwhelming, to say the least. And just when convent life took on a pattern for us, Vatican II happened, and things began to change again.

In my days of formation as a CSJ, the options for ministry within the Church were limited, nurse or teacher. Nursing was not a consideration for me, so teacher it was! I had hoped to be a French teacher BUT, at the time, math teachers were needed in the schools. So, I began a math degree at The College of Saint Rose! I taught math one year at Catholic High before I was called to Mother Provincial’s office and told that the Albany Diocese was forming a program at The College of Saint Rose to prepare sisters to teach religion in the diocesan high schools, as the priests were being removed from the high schools to minister in parishes. I completed that year of study of theology and taught religion in Glens Falls and Utica before embarking on 25 years in Catholic school administration. The challenges of school administration are many, and the life lessons learned in managing those challenges were enormous for me.

When I thought it was time for a ministry change, I was hired as a family service representative at the Albany Diocesan Cemetery office at St. Agnes Cemetery. What a wonderful opportunity I had to meet with so many people who had lost a loved one. It was a time of great spiritual growth for me. Although I appreciated all of my ministries, a surprise ministry awaited me. I was appointed the parish life director of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in North Greenbush by Bishop Hubbard. What a gift that was! I cherished every minute of my 10 years at St. Michael’s. It was a vibrant and giving parish filled with wonderful people. While at St. Michael’s, I served part time on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a position became available to oversee the reconstruction of our Provincial House to prepare for the Eddy SeniorCare PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program. I took on this position and reluctantly left St. Michael’s.

I guess you can say I am retired now, but in my “spare time,” I am the purchasing coordinator at the Provincial House, serve on three CSJ Boards, serve on committees at Shaker Pointe where I live, support Joseph House and Shelter, and have more time to read, pray and spend time with my friends.

Now, here I am celebrating 60 (!) years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and as I consider these years, I have the closing phrase of a favorite hymn playing over and over in my head, “And all that we can offer you is thanks …” As I look back over these years, I am keenly aware of “God’s favor and kindness” (grace) offered to me time and time again … in the classroom, in the parish, in my religious community, and in my interactions with the “Dear Neighbor.”

One of the unexpected blessings of our life of ministry is the many opportunities for forming lasting relationships. You can’t put a price on that gift. How blessed am I! Grace has brought me this far … and grace will lead me forward. And so, as we French people say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler.” The literal translation of that is “Let the good times roll.”  For this French jubilarian, the translation is “let this celebration of God’s goodness continue!”