Religious Milestones: Mercy Sister Mary Pauline Kuntne, 75 years

Avocation that began for Mercy Sister Mary Pauline Kuntne with humble service to the Church would eventually include having a major impact on students in Catholic education and people seeking treatment for substance abuse.

Sister Pauline born in South Amboy, and raised in Parlin. After attending schools staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, she entered the community following graduation from high school.

Gifted with musical ability, she pursed degrees from Georgian Court College, now University, Lakewood; and Catholic University, Washington, D.C. in music, instrumental music, music education and philosophy. She began teaching at St. Paul School, Princeton and moved to Camden Catholic High School two years later to further develop its music department. Under her guidance, the music department grew steadily in instrumental, vocal and theatrical excellence over a period of 20 years. Concerts and the annual school musical were events not to be missed, each one surpassing the other. The spirited Irish marching band performed at most sports events and competed many times with other bands for a trophy. The reputation of Camden Catholic grew during her tenure in large part because of the music curriculum and performance excellence. In 2009, she was inducted into Camden Catholic High School’s Hall of Fame.

Sister Pauline’s talents were not limited to music, however. In 1972, she embarked on a career in nursing. With the completion of the requirements of the Nursing Practice Act, she qualified as a registered nurse with the degree of Associate in Science. She served in Atlantic City Medical center; AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Pomona; Westfield Convalescent Center; and Straight and Narrow, Paterson.

Sister Pauline experienced a great need to serve individuals, especially the youth and families who were suffering from alcohol and other drug addictions. In 1985, she was named Director of Prevention Services with the Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. In that role, she directed multiple programs dedicated to education, accessed many persons to treatment and developed a curriculum for training counselors in prevention and treatment work.

Sister Pauline continued her education and completed requirements over time and was certified as a National Addiction Counselor II, and certified as a Prevention Specialist. She is also a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

In her very gradual retirement, she helped another professional to develop Creative Solutions: Strategies for Change, where she served on a volunteer basis.

Sister Pauline lives in McAuley Hall Health Care Center, still giving of her talent, expertise and good counsel when needed