Kathryn Press

Kathryn Press is an Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus from Georgia. She professed her final vows in 2018. With a Master of Divinity and a background in religious studies, she has taught every grade from pre-K through high school. After opening a convent in Ireland, she taught in New York City for three years before returning to Ireland in September 2020 to work in evangelization and parish ministry.

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Kathryn Press es una Apóstol del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de Georgia. Profesó sus votos perpetuos en 2018. Con una Maestría en Divinidad y una formación en estudios religiosos, ha enseñado todos los grados, desde preescolar hasta secundaria. Después de abrir un convento en Irlanda, enseñó en la ciudad de Nueva York durante tres años antes de regresar a Irlanda en septiembre de 2020 para trabajar en la evangelización y el ministerio parroquial.

By this Author

Sr. Kathryn Press displays her Bible from college.

A generous serving of Scripture

Sr. Kathryn Press writes that her Bible "is a living, breathing reminder of how God speaks to me through the Word." 

Sr. Kathryn Press, center, poses with current and previous members of the Giving Voice Core Team. They are, from left, Srs. Melissa Camardo, Erin McDonald, Chioma Ahanihu and Thuy Tran. (Kathryn Press)

Giving Voice National Gathering nurtures seeds of hope and joy

The recent Giving Voice National Gathering "challenged me to surrender my ideas of what the future of religious life will look like and to put greater trust in God," writes Sr. Kathryn Press. 

Sr. Kathryn Press, right, poses for a photo with fellow Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus sisters near Lake Albano, Italy. (Courtesy of Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

Bearing witness to the blessing of internationality

Horizons: I'm grateful that my 20-something self didn't know all the blessings that could come from being a part of an international community. It's been a wonderful surprise to discover again and again.

Sr. Kathryn Press poses with N plates on her car (N for novice driver). After moving to Ireland and passing a driving test, Press had to keep the plates on her car for two more years. (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

Driving tests, scarlet letters and God's generosity

The new year depends less on me and more on God. I won't resolve to do things, but I can open my eyes to see and my ears to hear, and live by a different set of rules — much like how I did as a new driver in Ireland.

A statue of Jesus with two children (Pixabay/ariyandhamma)

We need a childlike simplicity to enter God's kingdom

Horizons - Look to the youngest saints (and soon-to-be saints) we have in our tradition for examples to imitate. They are who Jesus says is the greatest in the kingdom.

Sr. Kathryn Press, third in the first row, is pictured with pilgrims from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore at the vigil preparing for the missioning Mass with Pope Francis, during World Youth Day. (Courtesy of Sr. Kathryn Press)

At World Youth Day I saw firsthand that young people believe

Horizons - Yes, young people leave the church, and "nones" seem to be increasing, but I've seen a counternarrative firsthand. During World Youth Day, some 1.5 million young people around me witnessed a faith that isn't dead.

The author is pictured on a hike along the Dunmore East Cliff Walk in County Waterford, Ireland, during her annual retreat in August 2022. (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

Turning your prayer life inside out

Horizons - Consider revisiting a prayer that once brought you comfort or challenge when you last prayed it. Take some time to imagine Jesus saying these words to you. What additional words would deepen the meaning?

The author, Apostle of the Sacred Heart Sr. Kathryn Press (left), sits with Benedictine Sr. Celina Galinyte, director of Alpha in Lithuania, and Xavières Sr. Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary at the Synod of Bishops) at Royal Albert Hall in London. The three spoke at a panel at Alpha International's Leadership Conference May 1-2. (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

Here's why I remain hopeful

We await the Spirit, like the early church did between the time Jesus returned to the Father and when the Spirit came in the upper room.

The author and sisters led the Termonbacca Carmelite Ladies' Lenten Retreat in Derry, Northern Ireland, in February. (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

Lives of the saints offer pathways for Lenten reboot

Nothing could be more in keeping with the spirit of Lent than to convert — to turn around — our lives to the Lord once again.

 

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope captured this image July 12, 2022, showing what NASA describes as "the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula." (Flickr/ NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, CC BY 2.0)

The wonder of outer space

Horizons - Science and faith always have something new to teach us. God delights in us as we make such discoveries. Wonder waits around every corner. At the start of a new year, I ask: What are you wondering about?

Friends from camp attend Sr. Kathryn Press' final vows party in August 2018. (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

Lutheran summer camp: Best preparation for the convent

Horizons - This piece is my gesture of gratitude in thanksgiving to God for all the gifts and graces that have come into my life because of Camp Arcadia. Many lessons and skills from there came in handy in the convent.

Pilgrimages, people and prayer

Horizons - At the invitation of our bishop, I had the opportunity to serve on the planning team that organized our first diocesan youth and young adult pilgrimage to Medjugorje. It was an entirely new experience!

The author looks at the sunrise over Ireland's County Wexford and the River Barrow in January 2022. (Kathryn Press)

Where and when has God given you the grace of place?

Are there be physical, geographic locations we find ourselves where, when we are open to them, God gives us an outpouring of divine assistance?

Sr. Kathryn Press stands at a trailhead in New York's Sterling Forest State Park in the Ramapo Mountains (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

Warning: GPS might make you lose your way

Life isn't a Google Map. We can't always pick the fastest route or avoid highways and tolls. My spiritual journey can't be plotted out. Detours and diversions, construction and congestion are part of the deal.

The author at Gaulstown Portal Dolmen, a megalithic portal tomb in County Waterford, Ireland, in April 2021 (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

An American living in Ireland learns pinches extend beyond St. Patrick's Day

Living as an American in Ireland has, I pray, made me a better Christian. At the very least, the experience has given me the space and the reason to evaluate my default positions and grow in self-knowledge, empathy, and cultural awareness.

Photo of Blessed Clelia Merloni's reading glasses on display in her bedroom in the Generalate of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome, Italy. (Sr. Doretta Jean D'Albero)

Seeing with the eyes of the saints

Horizons - Throughout November the church acknowledges the men and women who lived in imitation of Jesus. Hopefully there is someone with whom you feel a kindred connection. I look at the world through the eyes of Blessed Clelia Merloni.

Sisters of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are pictured at the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. From left: Srs. Shawn Lyons, M. Clare Millea and the author, Kathryn Press (Courtesy of Kathryn Press)

A modest but bold proposal: American missionaries to Ireland

Having spoken with Catholics in Ireland, we knew there was a need for witness to the faith and for evangelization. We would open a convent there. It was a small way to say "thank you" to the church that had given us so much.