Sr. Karla McKinnie relocates to Indiana

Friday, Apr. 22, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — Sister Karla McKinnie left Utah April 19 to move to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross motherhouse in Notre Dame, Ind. to better fulfill her responsibilities as one of four councilors on the Area of North America Leadership Council. 

Since 2014, Sr. Karla has been traveling between Indiana and Utah, where she has served as the director of the Catholic Schools Special Needs Program, a position she has held since 2012.

However the Holy Cross leadership position changed; Sr. Karla will now also be an assistant superior at the St. Mary’s retirement home, working with sisters in nursing care. 

“I will also be the first councilor to the superior as a consultant, in addition to overseeing the several houses I am responsible for, mostly in the Midwest,” she said. “I am the contact person for the onsite houses to address issues or problems in which several sisters live.”

Before Sr. Karla left Salt Lake City, a Mass was celebrated in her honor at St. John the Baptist Parish, where she had been a member since 1998, when she opened St. John the Baptist Elementary School. 

Sr. Karla also was the first principal of St. Andrew School in Riverton, which opened in 2008. 

Sr. Karla is “one of the really good shepherds in our Skaggs Catholic community and the diocese after almost 18 years here at St. John the Baptist Elementary, St. Andrew School and ministering to the neediest students among us at the diocesan office of education,” Monsignor Terence Moore, pastor emeritus, said in his homily at the Mass. “You have left your indelible mark of love, caring and compassion in the classrooms and faculty rooms of our Center; you have been a blessing and treasure to us.” 

Msgr. Moore recalled that Sr. Karla’s priority was the welfare of the students, meeting the needs of the community and instituting a program for children who could not afford daily lunch.  

The diocesan Pastoral Center staff also held a luncheon in Sr. Karla’s honor. 

“As a former principal, I know being a principal is a very challenging job,” said Mark Longe, Utah Catholic Schools’ superintendent. “Sr. Karla was asked to open two schools; it was a tremendous accomplishment and a wonderful gift. Opening a school sets the tone for the long term and the future of that school.” 

Speaking to Sr. Karla, he said, “I can think of no better person, Sister, with your love and your calm demeanor, gentleness and kindness to set the tone for those two schools.”

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, said Sr. Karla has a tremendous dedication to the Holy Cross charism in everything she does.

“I’ve noticed over the years, whether Sr. Karla is dealing with poor people, a pastor, parents or children, she is always so appreciative and respectful to every one she is dealing with; that is a marvelous gift,” he said.

Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administer, said Sr. Karla’s humility impresses him. 

“She never seeks first place in any way,” he said. “Sr. Karla could never be accused of gossiping or saying a mean word about anyone, and that is a very religious trait we could all emulate.”  

Sr. Karla has been in the Catholic school system since 1966, but “I’ve gradually eased out, so I’m not going to miss it as much as I would have if I had just left the schools,” she said. 

However Sr. Karla said she will miss Utah a lot. “I will miss the people first; I’ve worked with some wonderful people all over the diocese, especially in the schools – the parents and staff who helped me in both cases start those two schools; I would not have been able to do that on my own without the network of people who helped me,” she said. 

Sr. Karla will also miss the natural beauty in Utah, she said. “I’ve always liked the mountains. I grew up with mountains and there are no mountains in Indiana,” she said. “While I’ve been here, I’ve gone to almost all the national parks and tried to absorb and enjoy what I could.

“I will also miss the relationships I have formed with the priests and religious at St. John the Baptist Parish, she added. “But I know a lot of the retired sisters at St. Mary’s, so I’m sure the transition will be fine.”