The Company of St. Ursula In the United States

Kathleen Hallinan died on February 19, 2008, after an illness of four months, much mourned by those who knew her. Kathleen collaborated in beginning the Company of St. Ursula in the United States. Her spirit will continue to nourish our Company. This brief summary of her life appeared in the program for her funeral Mass, which took place on February 27, 2008. The eulogy follows.

Kathleen Mary Hallinan was born in San Francisco on November 23, 1942, to Michael and Bridget (née Martin) Hallinan, of Co. Cork and Co. Derry, respectively. She treasured the bonds with her aunts, uncles and cousins in Ireland and Northern Ireland and most recently visited there in summer 2007. Her uncle Jack Hallinan of New Market, Co. Cork, survives her.

A graduate of St. John’s Ursuline High School, Kathleen earned a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Master’s degree in Religious Studies from the Catholic University of America and interned in spiritual direction at the Milford (Ohio) Jesuit Spiritual Center. She left her mark on many members of Cincinnati’s New Jerusalem lay community.

From 1965 to 1988 Kathleen was an Ursuline of the Roman Union, where she formed lasting bonds of sisterhood. She taught at St. John’s Ursuline High School and provided spiritual direction in Great Falls and Billings, Montana. Montana remained the land of her heart for its beauty, for deep friendships, and for her experience of lay leadership and ministry. She returned to San Francisco to care for her parents.

In 2000 Kathleen collaborated in founding the Company of St. Ursula in the United States. (See back of program.) In May 2007, she participated in a worldwide gathering of Ursuline Companies in Rome.

Kathleen is mourned by cousins on both sides of the Atlantic, by her Ursuline sisters and by devoted friends. She died on February 19, 2008.

Kathleen Hallinan (left) and Marie-Bernadette Mbuy-Beya of the Company of St. Ursula of Congo meet in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, on May 24, 2007, during the international congress of the Federation of Companies.

Eulogy – Funeral Mass

Kathleen’s life began and ended on Arlington Street here in San Francisco. She was baptized into Christ here at St. John the Evangelist Parish, and from here we send her forth to the fullness of her life in him. Approaching death, Kathleen felt deep satisfaction with what she described as coming “full circle.”

Yet in between there have been many circles and many communities. It is difficult to describe who and what she was in all of these. Perhaps the best way is to listen to voices from far and near. As Kathleen joyfully communicated her intention to stop dialysis and “go home,” appreciation of her poured in, by snail mail, email and telephone.

From California
           “I admire your courage of being able to call to say goodbye.”
           “Dear Kathy, thank you soooo… much for the money! My sister and I are planning on going shopping sometime soon!! We love you!! very much!!”
           “Kitty was such a warm presence at so many family functions. I remember…when I was a teenager thinking....how smart this woman is... I remember fondly leaving [the] dining room where the mothers were talking about Jackie Kennedy’s hairstyle du jour; only to walk into the living room where Kitty was talking about radical politics.”
           “At Child and Family Services, your wit and humor in the face of upheaval and pain would be balm for anyone.”

From Ireland
“I felt humbled to have had the pleasure of your company on your last trip to Ireland. Your courage and faith are overwhelming.”

From Montana
           “Kathleen so constantly walked with Jesus as her friend and partner that she faithfully followed his calling, no matter the difficulty.”
           “My love and gratitude for the wonderful gift your life has been in my spiritual journey. Thank you for the courage and faith you truly live out as a wonderful model and mentor. You live on in our lives as we continue to share the love of God you led us to.”
           “Love and thanksgiving for serving us.”

From Ursuline Sisters, past and present
           “You see the humor in life and yet don’t miss the pain and suffering. You are sensitive to others and respond to their needs. I remember when we were in the novitiate and I was homesick at Christmas for snow and you secretly frosted my windowpanes.”
           “You have always been faithful to your inner convictions, unique in person and truly loved by others.”
           “For the gift that you are in my life I am ever-so-grateful…a wonder-full person and one that I am proud to call ‘friend.’”
           “You have always been the Irish mystic poet…with an unusually well-honed gift of discernment of the Spirit. Even when I disagreed, I always listened carefully and pondered what you said.”
           “Your generous hospitality is a model for me.”
           “Dear one, you sent me on my way with prayers and blessings at every turn.”

From Cincinnati’s New Jerusalem lay community
           “So many years have passed, yet I retain such warmth and affection for you.”
           “Kathy, you have always been for me a living testament of who God is and what God is all about…a constant example of what a spirit-filled, faith-filled person looks like. You have shown me a God who is love, a God who is generous, a God who is passionate about life. Kathy, you are the person God put in my life so that I don’t forget what is important, and what matters, and to live each day in the present and as passionately as I can.”
           “My dearest Kathleen, you have the heart of a lion.”

From farther and wider
Texas – “Indomitable!”
Colorado – “Thank you for blessing my family. You are a truly wonderful Lady of God.”

From Company of St. Ursula
Maria Rosa Razza, president of the international Federation of Companies of St. Ursula – “Our dear Kathleen’s life was offered to the Lord in total consecration, her sufferings united to the cross of Christ.”
In the United States – “Kathleen’s heart was fastened on Christ and sensitive to God’s word in sacred Scripture. Her gift of discernment gave clarity to our beginnings in this country. Her insights laid a firm foundation. Her ardor gave it warmth.”

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