Sister Kathleen Lyons, CSJ
Kathleen Mary Agnes Lyons was born at home on October 25, 1929, in Padiham, Lancashire, England. When she was nine months old, her family emigrated to Canada and settled in Pembroke, Ontario. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1947, receiving the name Sister Margaret Mary.
Sister Kathleen began her teaching ministry in Chapeau. Over the next 23 years, she served in numerous schools, including St. Anthony’s in Chalk River; St. Mary’s in Deep River; Holy Name in Pembroke; Our Lady of Sorrows in Petawawa; Our Lady of Fatima in Renfrew; and St. Andrew’s in Killaloe. In every setting, her gifts in art and music enriched parish and school life. She trained choirs for liturgical celebrations and Kiwanis Festivals, sharing her love of music with generations of students. During these years, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa and diplomas in elementary and intermediate vocal music.
Following her years in education, Sister Kathleen completed a Master’s degree in Spirituality through the Van Kaam Institute in Pittsburgh. She then served for eight years in ongoing formation and as Assistant General Superior. From 1985 to 1987, she attended the C. G. Jung Institute in Zurich, deepening her understanding of dreams and their value in spiritual direction. Drawing on this formation, she offered private and guided retreats throughout Canada and as far away as Hong Kong. In her nineties, Sister Kathleen published In the Fullness of Time, a thoughtful collection of significant dreams received throughout her adult life. In this work, she reflected deeply on the importance of the feminine within the culture of the Church.