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Sister Catherine Arnoldy  Email Article To a Friend View Printable Version 

"I'm grateful for the education that I received and was able to use as a teacher. In all the places I've served, I've been very happy."

Sr. Catherine preparing a lesson.
Sr. Catherine preparing a lesson.
Sister Catherine grew up in the Sacramento Valley and entered Notre Dame Novitiate at Belmont after graduating from Notre Dame Academy in Marysville. Her first teaching assignment was to the third and fourth grades at Notre Dame School in Chico. From there she went to Dolores School in Santa Barbara and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Redwood City, only to return to Chico. Her influence extended beyond school and parish as students from Chico State College came to observe her teaching and learn from her.

Later, Sister Catherine became the first principal at St. Stephen's School in Portland, Oregon, and served at Sacred Heart School, Salinas, St. Francis High School, Sacramento, and Notre Dame high schools in Salinas and Alameda. Sister moved on to new towns and new schools, but she never left her students and friends.

Former student Angelo Volpato remembers, "Of all my teachers, she was #1. I was just an average student, but in her class, I was gifted. It was a combination of her love and discipline.  It is impossible to describe what she did for me."

After 45 years, Sister retired from full-time ministry, but continued to serve as tutor, in the resource center and the admissions office at Notre Dame High School, Belmont. Now 99 years of age, Sr. Catherine celebrates her 81st year as a Sister of Notre Dame.

Do you have a remembrance of Sr. Catherine?  Please click Reply below to share your thoughts.


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Sister Catherine Arnoldy | 2 comments
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
martin newkom writes: I am a grad in the elem. at ND marysville.
All of the Arnoldys were especially gifted
people. I don't remember Sr. Cath. but I
remember the others of the "Tribe" and
they were generally outstanding. Congrats.
to Sr. Catherine.
Diane Leal writes: Sister Catherine was my English teacher at St. Francis, Sacramento. She is the only teacher who left a lasting impression on me. She taught me the enjoyment of reading.