Former Religious Name: Sister James Miriam
Home Parish: St. Bernard, Bradford, PA

Sister Catherine Manning, SSJ, has devoted her life to education, healthcare, and service to the Church, guided by a deep faith and a lifelong commitment to her vocation. She first encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph when her family moved to Bradford, Pennsylvania, and she began second grade at St. Bernard School. Fascinated by the “women in black who wore shawls instead of coats and had long veils that blew in the wind,” she knew from an early age that she wanted to become a Sister of St. Joseph. “I was smitten!” she recalls.

Sister Catherine was born on November 10, 1938, in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Bradford on August 29, 1956, and professed her final vows on August 15, 1964.

She graduated from St. Bernard High School in Bradford in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1966. She later received a master’s degree in educational guidance counseling from Gannon University in 1971 and a master’s degree in theology from Boston College in 1981.

Throughout her ministry, Sister Catherine spent nearly 30 years in education, 20 years in healthcare, and 10 years serving the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. She began her teaching career in 1956 at St. John School in Erie and went on to teach at several diocesan schools, including Holy Rosary School in Johnsonburg and St. Andrew School in Erie. From 1966 to 1973, she served as principal of St. Peter Cathedral School in Erie before becoming director of admissions at Villa Maria College. Her educational ministry also took her to Massachusetts, where she taught religious education and sociology and psychology, and to Rome, Italy, where she served as academic dean at Marymount International School from 1982 to 1985. She especially cherishes her time in Rome and the opportunities to travel throughout Europe and Africa.

Sister Catherine’s ministry later brought her into healthcare leadership at Saint Vincent Health System in Erie. Beginning in 1985, she served in several leadership roles, including vice president of patient affairs and senior vice president, before becoming president and CEO in 1991. She continued in this position through 2002, helping guide the health system in its mission of serving patients and the wider community.

In 2003, Sister Catherine began serving the Diocese of Erie as education and grants coordinator. She became executive director of the Catholic Foundation in 2007 and was appointed vice chancellor of the diocese in 2008, becoming the highest-ranking woman in the Erie Catholic Diocese at that time and the first non-clergy member to hold the position. She retired in 2013 but continued to serve on the boards of directors or trustees for the SSJ Neighborhood Network, Erie Catholic Preparatory School, and the Sisters of St. Joseph Mission and Ministry Foundation.

Throughout her life, Sister Catherine has drawn strength and inspiration from her faith and family. She credits her parents with having the greatest influence on her life. From her father, who died of a heart attack when she was in her early teens, she learned lessons of strength, gentleness, prayer, and enthusiasm for living. Her mother’s resilience, faith, love, and determination guided Sister Catherine and her three sisters through both joyful and difficult times. Through her example, Sister Catherine learned the true meaning of a “valiant woman.”

One of Sister Catherine’s most sustaining prayers has been the Magnificat from the Gospel of Luke: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” She finds particular inspiration in its expression of joy and its emphasis on lifting up the lowly and feeding the hungry. Praying the words “The Mighty One has done great things for me” renews her hope and energy and reminds her of how blessed she is.

Now retired and living at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center, Sister Catherine continues to embrace each day as an opportunity to grow in awe of God’s presence in everyone and everywhere. She encourages others to take time to appreciate beauty and nature and to enjoy the precious gift of life. Her own plans are simple yet profound: to “simply appreciate each day as it unfolds, giving thanks for another day of living and loving.”