Thanks to all who helped to make Sister Clara Feheringer’s celebration a success, as she marked her 70th anniversary as an Ursuline Sister. We thank especially the St. Paul Parish Knights of Columbus. In honor of Sister Clara, the Catholic Action Center received a donation of $3,447 and our Open Door Lunch Ministry also received a donation of $3,447. Thank you to all who made donations.
Sister Clara’s career spans thirteen U.S. presidencies, seven Popes, and numerous Bishops, including all three Bishops in the Diocese of Lexington. Through all the years, Sr. Clara has been a consistent force for good, reaching out to the marginalized, serving those less fortunate, and working toward justice for all.
Clara Mae Fehringer was the eleventh of thirteen children raised on her family’s farm in Colorado. She received catechetical instruction from Franciscan Sisters while attending public school, and attended a boarding school, St. Patrick Academy in Nebraska, for her final two years of high school. She first began considering joining the Ursuline Sisters during her senior year. One of her older siblings had already joined the order when Clara was three years old.
Due to a teacher shortage, Sister Clara was thrown right into teaching in the Louisville Catholic school system, practicing on the job training as a two-year-professed sister. She enjoyed teaching and jumped at the opportunity to teach in Peru. She taught Peruvian naval officers’ children during the week, and then ministered to the families of the barriada of Carmen de la Legua.
When she returned to the U.S., Sister Clara studied early childhood education for the disadvantaged at the University of Illinois. After completing her education, she received a three-year grant to develop an educational program for low-income families in West Dallas, Texas. The public school system there developed an early childhood curriculum based on her model.
Back in Kentucky, Sister Clara worked in campus ministry at Eastern Kentucky University. She worked to give students the opportunity to serve the people in Appalachia, and the opportunity to take active roles in the liturgy.
When the Diocese of Lexington was formed, she worked in the diocesan liturgy office and in the Social Justice office. While there, she helped organize the creation of a church home for the Hispanic community in and around Lexington, located at Historic St. Paul Catholic Church.
Shortly thereafter, Sister Clara came to work at St. Paul full time, serving as Parish Life Director and Parish Administrator, as well as any other role that she has been asked to fill.
Never one to suffer fools, Sister Clara has been a strong and calming presence in the parish for decades, and has always been willing to serve wherever, and in whatever capacity she has been called. She is a true blessing and witness of Christ’s love among us, and we wish her a heartfelt Happy Anniversary!