Sister Catherine Noecker
Education & Evangelization in South Carolina
St Anthony of Padua School, Greenville, South Carolina

In September 1951, the doors of St Anthony of Padua Catholic School were opened to its first student body in an era when segregation was the law of the land.  The mission of education/evangelization within the African American community has remained the priority and focus of the Friars of Holy Name Province and the Sisters of  St Francis who have been there since 1986.

Sister Catherine Noecker finds that being the principal in this setting presents its joys and challenges slightly different from those found in other parish schools.  Though 90% of these students are not Catholic, they do come to a deep appreciation for our Catholic faith and practices.  When asked what they like best about St Anthony’s the most frequent responses of the children are “Going to Chapel” or “We have Jesus here.”

For Sister, the guilelessness of the children makes dealing with the enormous challenges of meeting the payroll and paying bills worthwhile.  The contemplative atmosphere fostered by the Franciscans makes it joy-and-peace filled.  Satisfaction is grounded in being able to help staff, students, and supporters to recognize and develop their talents, to utilize their time, and to invest their energies so that St Anthony of  Padua School will continue to be a place of life and hope.