Catherine Griffin

Entered into the hope of the Resurrection, in the midst of her family and the prayers of so many angels and saints, on earth as in heaven.  Catherine is survived by her husband, Michael Griffin, and their children Benedict, Basil and Miriam; and by her parents, Greg and Pat Gehred, and by siblings John, Danny, Teresa, Neil, and Peter.  Catherine spent her life, both in family and the community, pursuing peace, justice, and health.  From co-creating a beautiful garden por las mujeres de Casa Juan Diego en Houston, Texas, to being a member of the South Bend Catholic Worker community, to serving as a nurse to the retired priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross.  She learned these values and the mission of the Church in her family.  She was born on Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, where her father worked as a doctor in the Indian Health Service; her mother modeled discipleship as a leader in their parish and their domestic church.  At Notre Dame she was formed further into her Catholic faith and drawn to exemplars like Dorothy Day and Brother André Bessette.  As a member of the South Bend community, this formation bore fruit in her role as a co-founder of The Local Cup, in planting the seeds for the Spanish Immersion program at Holy Cross, and most especially as a magnificent mom.  A time to pray in vigil with Catherine will be available between 6 and 9 pm at Holy Cross Church, 1050 Wilber St.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10 am, open only to invited guests due to space limitations.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to the Holy Cross School Outdoor Education Fund or the South Bend Catholic Worker. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these places that formed Catherine’s vocation:

1) The Catholic Worker— a) the South Bend Catholic Worker, PO Box 4241, South Bend IN 46634, where Catherine lived in community with Mike for two years before they were married. http://www.olrsb.org/get-involved 

b) the Houston Catholic Worker, Casa Juan Diego, PO Box 70113, Houston TX 77270, where Catherine welcomed refugees in Spanish, and created a beautiful community garden. https://cjd.org/how-you-can-help/donate/ 

2) Holy Cross Grade School’s Outdoor Education Fund, 920 Wilber St., South Bend, IN 46628. Mike and Catherine helped initiate a bilingual education program at Holy Cross, where their children are educated.https://osvhub.com/hcpsb/funds (Please select “Education Fund/School Support,” and write “Outdoor Education Fund” in the comment section.)

3) Holy Cross College Catherine Griffin Student Assistance Fund. Catherine and Mike were married at Holy Cross College thirteen years ago, and have welcomed many students, faculty, and staff into their lives since then. https://33976.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298 (Please select "scholarship" from the pull down menu and write "Catherine Griffin" in the comment section. ) 

 

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