In 1993, a decade after she graduated from St. Maria Goretti High School, Donna Marie Frazier was studying cancer research at the University of Pennsylvania. She began interviewing for medical schools in her pursuit to become a doctor.
Then Frazier had an encounter that would drastically change her plans.
Through her involvement in the pro-life movement, she attended the International Forum at World Youth Day in Denver, where she met Pope John Paul II and the late Cardinal John O’Connor. At the cardinal’s insistence, she visited and went on a retreat with the Sisters of Life community. With immense prayer and guidance, "it became clear what God was asking of me," she said. She entered the religious community as Sister Maria Kateri de Francisco in August 1995. She took her final vows this past August.
On Friday, Sister Kateri received the Award for Outstanding Catholic Leadership from the Catholic Leadership Institute during a ceremony at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The institute annually recognizes women and men — lay, clergy and religious — who exert leadership in the family, workplace, community and the Church through their Catholic faith. Sister Kateri was one of four recipients of the award this year.
She grew up on 29th Street between Dickinson and Reed in St. Gabriel’s Parish and graduated from Goretti in 1982. She then moved to Washington, D.C., to attend Georgetown University, majoring in the interdisciplinary studies of psychology, biology and philosophy.
Long before Sister Kateri took her vows, she showed a leaning toward religious duties. Following her graduation from Georgetown, she performed missionary work for three years while living in Honduras. She also used her nurturing skills to care for those in an orphanage.
Sister Kateri was one of the first participants in the Catholic Leadership Institute in New Mexico, which then moved to Philadelphia. As a graduate of the institute, she aided in the transition.
Currently acting as the Director of Novices and Local Superior for the Sisters of Life in New York, Sister Kateri was nominated for the Award for Outstanding Catholic Leadership early last summer. She said she accepted out of gratitude, not because she thought she deserved it.
"I am undeserving of this award; all good comes through God’s grace," Sister Kateri said. "He uses me as His instrument."
Of the fact the award is meant to recognize an inspirational few who serve as role models for the future of the Church, she said, "God chooses the weak and makes them strong."
When not organizing events for novices and postulates, Sister Kateri enjoys participating in lighthearted activities. She said she learns history through international folk dancing, which "I did for fun on the side." She also recently began perfecting her drawing and painting skills.
"My first painting is hanging in my mom’s house," she said.
A self-described "jack of all trades," Sister Kateri also plays the guitar, rides in bike-a-thons to raise money for various causes and practices ballet.
When she returned to South Philly for her yearly visit last month, she stayed with her parents in her childhood home and visited her niece’s school, St. Richard’s. She sang to the children songs written by the sisters to instill values and love within them.
"We want to teach them that God loves them the way they are," Sister Kateri said.
