Sister Mary Christian (Koch), CSC
(December , 1912- June 14, 2010)
Please, join in prayer of thanksgiving for this Sister of the Holy Cross who died on June 14, 2010 in Saint Mary's Convent.
Sister Mary Christian fought the battle of health problems for years but because she was a self-motivated person with wide interests and an outstanding intelligence she continued in active ministry whenever and wherever she could.
She spoke with conviction in defending her point of view and in addressing issues of justice. Whether in the world of politics or community, she was forthright and adamant in her stance.
Because of her theological background she presented strong arguments to support the point of view she defended whenever she felt an injustice had occurred.
Though Christian was her father’s name and she no doubt received the name because of this, she lived out her life as a true Christian, embracing the good and the bad of her life journey with a zeal that dictated her every action. Anyone who observed her at Mass could testify to the intensity of her immersion into the actions of the eucharistic celebration. Using the missalette that she highlighted and carefully marked for each day’s liturgy, she silently mouthed the words of the priest, becoming a true participant. Her spiritual life gave her strength for each day.
During her active years of teaching ministry, she taught elementary school for six years and then 16 years in the high schools of the West teaching religion and French and Spanish. As with everything she did, she loved her work and was devoted to her students. Probably the most satisfying ministry for Sister Christian was her role as director of catechetical ministry at Mary, Star of the Sea Parish in La Jolla, California, where she was responsible for all the adult religious education programs, as well as aiding the parish school teachers with preparation for liturgies and the sacraments of the Eucharist and reconciliation. She put her heart and soul into all she did and she is now reaping the rewards. May she rest in peace.
Funeral arrangements for Sister Mary Christian are as follows: Reception of the body and wake at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, with the Mass of Resurrection on Thursday, June 17, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. All of these ceremonies will take place in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto.
May she rest in peace.