Sister Catherine Salani

Like many young girls who attend Catholic school, Sister Catherine Salani was impressed with the Daughters of Charity who taught her at St. Ambrose grade school in Endicott, New York -- so impressed, in fact, that she joined the Daughters of Charity two years after graduating from Nazareth College, Rochester, New York with a major in fine arts.

“I guess what impressed me most about the Daughters at that time was their joy,” says Sister Catherine. “I also enjoyed watching them interact among themselves. They seemed to exude joy in whatever situation they were in, and I wanted that,” she added.

Later in high school near Endicott, New York, Sister Catherine was taught by other members of the Daughters of Charity. “I remember how accessible and available they were to all of the students,” said Sister Catherine. “They cheered us on at basketball games and even helped a group of us paint rooms at a local nursing home,” she said.

Today, after 14 years with the Daughters of Charity, Sister Catherine lives out the way of life she admired so much as a young girl. She is currently part of the Campus Ministry Team working at St. John’s University. Sister Catherine’s responsibilities include planning student retreats, meeting with students who have questions about their faith, and overseeing the RCIA program.

“We’re always about building community here at the University, touching the lives of the students by providing service and faith opportunities for them to become more aware of their neighbor...and of God.” she said."

And when Sister Catherine is not busy at the University, she can often be found with her second love, art. “I love drawing, painting and creating. It connects me to my soul.” said Sister Catherine. Her most recent work of art is a mural of St. Vincent De Paul and St. Louise De Marillac which she painted on a wall at the Vincentian Renewal Center in Princeton, New Jersey.

To view some of Sister Catherine’s drawings online click here.

Like the Daughters of Charity who taught her as a young girl, Sister Catherine is now a mentor for a new generation of young adults who desire to live their lives for God and their neighbor, much like Vincent and Louise.