Sister Kathleen Curnyn

For the past six decades, Mercy Sister Kathleen Curnyn has served in many different ministries and as she celebrates her 60th jubilee, emphatically states, “I would do it again. I wouldn’t question. I would enter the Sisters of Mercy and be of service to the people of God.”   

Sister Kathleen’s deep faith, which led to her service, began early in life. The daughter of the late James and Sarah Curnyn, she was born and raised in Mineola, Long Island. Her parents taught her and her brother the importance of the Catholic faith. Her father attended Mass daily and as a high school senior, daily Mass became part of Sister Kathleen’s life.   

After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, N.Y., Sister Kathleen, who said she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a religious sister, became a Sister of Mercy. “My mother didn’t live to see me enter the convent but my dad was very happy that I choose this path. Sadly, he died six weeks after I entered,” she recalled.

Sister Kathleen’s commitment to doing the Lord’s work began in the classroom. She spent 12 years teaching in elementary schools throughout the Dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton: St. Mary School, South Amboy; St. John School, Lambertville; Our Lady of Victories School Sayreville; Sacred Heart of Jesus School, South Plainfield, and Holy Spirit School, Perth Amboy. She also served at St. James School, Red Bank, and St. Ann School, Keansburg.   

Continuing her education, Sister Kathleen earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Georgian Court College (now University), Lakewood, and in 1972 received a master’s degree from Seton Hall University, South Orange, to become a media specialist. She also has certification in school administration from Seton Hall University and Georgian Court College, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago.   

It was in 1972, too, that Sister Kathleen was appointed principal of St. Ann School, Keansburg, a position she held until 1980 when she returned to teaching, and four years later was named Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Newark Diocese and then Regional Supervisor of schools in the Brooklyn Diocese’s School’s Office.   

For the next 18 years, from 1990 to 2008, Sister Kathleen served as principal of St. Matthew School, Edison. She stayed at the school two additional years serving at its librarian. Then she became involved with a new and unexpected ministry, Project Paul.

Reflecting on the experience she said, “I loved all of the work I was involved with but thinking back when I went to Project Paul in 2010 it was the right place to be. I liked the interactions with the marginally poor. We worked in a very impoverished community, but they are wonderful people. Working with the poor in Keansburg was the most significant part of my life.”

While working at Project Paul three days a week, Sister Kathleen spent two days a week as the librarian at Sacred Heart School, South Amboy.   

Currently, she is serving as a lector at Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex and volunteers with the All-African Conference, Sister to Sister. Located in the United States, this agency is comprised of a group of religious who help support Sisters in middle Africa. “We help the Sisters in Africa by providing finances for them to get their education. I have been Involved with them for three years,” said Sister Kathleen.

When asked about advice for those seeking a vocation in the religious life Sister Kathleen said, “Follow your dreams and ask for advice. You will find the right spot for you. I have kept myself very active and this has been a wonderful experience for me.”  -

Karen Corpora