Obituary of Sr. Daniel Marie Catherine, DM

Sister Daniel Marie Catherine, a member of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Villa Rossello, Newfield, NJ, went to her eternal rest on December 4. She died at St. Joseph Parish Convent, York PA where she had lived and ministered with several members of her religious order for the past 3 years. Sister Daniel was born in Palmyra, PA and was the daughter of the late Daniel and Erma (Pavone) Catherine. She entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, in Newfield, NJ on September 8, 1961, and professed her Vows on August 15, 1964. Sister Daniel earned her BA in Elementary Education from Glassboro State College, NJ and then went on to receive her MA in Theology from St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vermont. She also earned certification for Psychotherapy and Spirituality from Neumann College in Aston, PA. Sr. Daniel Marie taught for a number of years in elementary schools administered by the religious order in Berwick and Hershey, PA; in Brigantine, Millville, and Berkeley Heights, NJ. She served as school principal in some of these schools. On the high school level, she taught at Our Lady of Mercy High School Academy, Newfield, NJ for a few years. Following her teaching career she was involved in various other ministries such as parish ministry in Enfield, CT, and as Assistant Director of Vocations for the diocese of Camden. NJ. From 1996 to 2007 Sister Daniel served as a missionary in the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica. Returning from the mission, she served as Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Joseph Parish, York for a brief time. From 2008 to 2014, she served as the Provincial Superior of her religious order at Villa Rossello in Newfield, NJ. Her last assignment was at St. Joseph Parish, Dallastown where she was the Parish Evangelist. Sister Daniel was noted for her competency and dedication in whatever area of ministry she worked. She will be missed for her dedication, friendliness to all, love for her community, and for her untiring zeal for ministry. Surviving are 17 cousins, many of whom are from the Hershey and Palmyra, PA area. She is also survived by her religious community, the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a viewing and Memorial Service that will be offered for Sister Daniel Marie at Misericordia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Chapel, York, PA on Friday afternoon from 2:30 to 3:30 and again in the Friday evening from 7 to 8 PM. Both viewing hours will conclude with a Memorial Service. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the order's Provincial House, Villa Rossello, Newfield, NJ on Saturday, December 10 at 12 Noon. Rev. Msgr. John T. Frey, Senior Priest at St. Andrew Parish, Gibbsboro, NJ will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at Pieta Cemetery on the grounds of Villa Rossello. Friends may call Saturday morning at the chapel from 10:30 AM until before Mass. For those who wish, contributions in Sister Daniel Marie's memory may be made to the Daughters of Mercy, Villa Rossello, 1009 Main Road, Newfield, NJ 08344. Arrangements are under the direction of Keffer Funeral Home, York, PA, and Rone Funeral Service, Vineland, NJ.