Sisters of the Holy Family Logo Sisters of the Holy Family

 
 

A Shepherdess for Various Flocks

Kate Block, the sixth young woman to join Lizzie Armer (Sister Dolores), eventually chose the religious name Agnes (?lamb? in Latin).  According to all recorded descriptions of Sister, that is an apt summary of her disposition.Throughout her 35 years of religious life, her gentleness of spirit was her trademark.

Her parish of involvement was St. Francis, in the NorthBeach district of San Francisco, as well as at the Cathedral of St. Mary.  For many years she had charge of the first Holy Family Day Home on 6th Street.  In all of those places she exhibited the gentle leadership necessary to shepherd the small ones in the Lord?s Flock.But her most lasting mark upon the Community, in which she had taken so notable a part as it formed its structure and outward appearance, was as Mistress of Novices.  It was through her training of the young sisters in the spirit of the Holy Family and of Sister Dolores Armer that Sister Agnes made her greatest impression.

She imparted to the novices an understanding of strengths modeled by the founding sisters:  tactful sympathy, generosity, encouragement, gentle admonition, loyalty to the ideals of the Community, a listening ear and a joyous spirit.  She encouraged a deep spirit of prayer among her charges, shepherding them toward a life of relationship with God.

?Not that spirit of prayer that counts the Hail Mary's, [and] Spiritual Communions?but that by which we live in God?s holy Presence doing and accepting all for love of Him, living that life of faith by putting theory into practice.?

She died on May 21, 1912.  And many felt bereft.  As one newspaper put it, ?The poor, as well as those more comfortably supplied with the requirements of life, felt equally they had lost a friend.?

 

 



159 Washington Blvd, P. O. Box 3248, Mission San Jose, CA 94539-0324     (510) 624-4500

Copyright © 2012 Sisters of the Holy Family, All Rights Reserved.
Website design, development, and hosting donated by Site Street Technical Services