Sister Karla McKinnie is honored at Jubilee Mass

Friday, Jun. 06, 2014

DRAPER — Sister Karla McKinnie was honored for 50 years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and renewed her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at a Mass celebrated at Saint John the Baptist Parish June 1. 

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, was the main celebrant. Concelebrating the Mass were Monsignor Joseph Mayo, St. John the Baptist Parish pastor; and retired Monsignor Terence Moore, former pastor. Deacons Paul Graham and Dale Dillon assisted.

“For 50 years, Sr. Karla has given herself selflessly to others, not counting the cost, not wanting to be the center of attention, not insisting it be her way; but working with the priests, with the youth, starting schools, reaching out to many ministries in our dioceses, all for the good of others and for the glory of God,” said Bishop Wester in his homily. 

“Christ is working through her,” Bishop Wester continued. “She professed 50 years ago that she would follow Christ … her sacrifice, a constant giving of herself, so that Christ could work through her to get to others to bring healing, secure justice, peace, harmony and good will. Thank you, Sister, for letting Christ shine through you.” 

After various ministries including serving at several Utah Catholic schools, Sr. Karla became the director of the Special Needs Program in the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2012.

“It was a wonderful experience working with Sr. Karla at St. John the Baptist; she started St. John the Baptist Elementary School and became the principal,” said Msgr. Moore. “She is such a devoted, grateful woman of the Church. Every moment we spent here together was really a privilege for me. I pray for the Lord to continue to bless her; she is filled with the Lord’s Holy Spirit.”

Keith and Brandy Stephens met Sr. Karla when they enrolled their son, Camden, in the third grade at Saint Andrews School in Riverton. “She cancelled everything to meet with us in the middle of the week because we were new to the area,” said Keith Stephens. “The thing we remember most is her saying, ‘Come on down.’ It was fantastic. She showed us the whole school. It was like she dropped everything for us.” 

“She was a nice principal,” said Camden Stephens, who was sad to see her leave the school. 

Florence Holtshouser met Sr. Karla when she came to Utah in 1984 to become the principal of Our Lady of Lourdes in Salt Lake City. “My daughter, Ruth Barbara Holtshouser, is also a Holy Cross sister,” said Holtshouser. “I just love Sr. Karla, she is a special woman and now she helps the children in need. She is wonderful.” 

Patricia Phillips has been teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes School for 40 years and wanted to celebrate with Sr. Karla; she remembers her fondly, she said. “She was fantastic to teach under,” Phillips said. “She was so gentle and kind and loving. The kids adored her as did the staff.” 

Connie Griffith is also a former teacher from Our Lady of Lourdes who traveled to Draper for the celebration. “She is a wonderful person and was a wonderful principal. She is so spiritual and I know that no matter where she is, she does wonders,” Griffith said. 

“Everybody at St. John the Baptist who knows her, really loves her,” said Mel Liebsla. “We think the world of her and we were so happy to celebrate her 50th anniversary with her; she was just beaming.”