Sister Katherine Francis French

Sister Katherine Francis French is a native of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Currently, she ministers as a parish volunteer and as a freelancer for adult workshops in the Lexington, North Carolina, area.

Sister Katherine Francis entered the Congregation on September 14, 1969, after what she said was a “long struggle to find my life’s purpose.”

She professed final vows on September 25, 1975.

Sister Katherine Francis grew up in a suburb of Trenton, New Jersey, and attended public schools until grade six. She graduated from St. Anthony’s High School, and was taught by the Glen Riddle Franciscans, who are now the Sisters of Saint Francis in Aston, Pennsylvania.

Her first encounter with the Sisters of Providence was in 1966 when she attended Immaculata College in Washington, D.C.

She has a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in theology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

She has ministered as a teacher, a director of religious education, a geriatric nurse, pastoral associate and in youth ministry.

On June 29, 2019, she will celebrate her Golden Jubilee as a Sister of Providence.

Sister Katherine said she was given up for adoption through Catholic Charities in Trenton, New Jersey. She lived at St. Michael’s Orphanage for 18 months before being adopted by Katherine and Charles French in Trenton. She has an older sister, Margaret.

She said she had a wonderful childhood and a “life with beautiful, kind and loving parents, especially chosen for me by God.”

Sister Katherine Francis added she enjoys writing, working with wood and music. She can play the guitar, dulcimer, tin whistle and harmonica, adding that when she retires, she plans to learn how to play the banjo, recorder, violin and mandolin.