Meet Rantoul's "Encourager-in-Chief"

  Wisdom and compassion are at the heart of Sister Sara’s life.

Sister Sara Koch grew up in the west central Illinois town of Mt. Sterling and has spent the majority of her religious life serving a community on the opposite side of the state. In many ways, St. Malachy in Rantoul, Illinois, mirrors her hometown. Perhaps that is why she is so at home there.

Sister Sara’s Dominican life overflows with a spirit of joy and a contagious urgency to share the Good News of the Gospel, something the people of Rantoul know well. When first assigned there in 1981 she was a junior high teacher. For the next ten years, she served as principal with all the supervisory and administrative tasks that requires. When she returned to St. Malachy after a few years away she began a new task: looking after the religious education and prayer life for the whole parish. Now, after more than 30 years accompanying the people of St. Malachy, she may know Rantoul better than anyone. Today she is the “encourager-in-chief” for families in need of prayer, a listening ear, or wise advice.

“Knowing that I’m providing opportunities for people to be nourished by a deeper relationship and understanding of God revealed, makes my religious life a real joy,” Sister Sara says.

During National Catholic Sisters Week we celebrate our Sister, Sara. Her love of God’s people and care for their spiritual well-being is contagious!