Sister Kathleen Ryan was born in 1946 in Chicago, Ill., and was baptized Kathleen Mary at St. Ladislaus Church there. She joined the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in 1964 and made her final profession of vows in 1971.
She started her teaching ministry at St. Cabrini, Springfield, 1967-1969; Holy Angels, Aurora, 1969-1976; St. Isidore, Farmersville, 1976-1977; St. Thomas, Crystal Lake, 1977-1980; St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park, 1980-1983; St. Peter, Aurora, 1992-1993. She was principal at St. Margaret Mary, Algonquin, 1983-1986; and at St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park, 1986-1992.
Sister Kathleen was the founding director of the Dominican literacy center, Aurora, 1993-2024. She also served as a grant writer and treasurer for the Dominican literacy center, 2008-2024. After a brief sabbatical she returned to Springfield and is currently with the Springfield literacy center, traveling regularly to Beardstown to teach English language learners there.
As she reflected on her ministry, she is grateful for all the people she has met.
“All of my memories about the ministry center focus around relationships. In my early days in many elementary schools, I truly enjoyed my relationships with children, parents, and teachers,” she wrote.
“During the past 35 years I’ve been privileged to work with women and men in the immigrant community, and have helped people from over 20 different countries. I cherish these relationships, in which I always felt welcome and respected. Knowing these women and men along with their families while becoming a part of their lives has helped me to remember the importance of relationships, community, and God’s presence in our lives,” she wrote.
