Rest in Peace, Sister Catherine Brehony, OVISS

Sister Catherine Brehony (Teresa Evelyn) was called to eternal life by her loving God on October 11, 2025, at the age of 96. Born in County Sligo, Ireland, to John and Catherine McDonagh Brehony on July 26, 1929, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother Padraic Brehony, and sisters Margaret Gethin, Nance Higgins, and Sister Mary Rita Brehony. She is survived by two sisters, Sister Maria Elizabeth and Sister Colette Brehony, along with many nieces and nephews.

Her mother was introduced to the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament through conversations and through letters from her own two sisters, who had joined the Congregation: Sister Margaret Mary and Sister Anna Marie McDonagh. Sister Catherine entered the Incarnate Word Congregation in Corpus Christi on August 26, 1947, made perpetual vows on April 19, 1952, and celebrated her 75th anniversary of religious profession on April 6, 2024. She was the first and oldest of four Brehony siblings to enter the Congregation.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and graduated magna cum laude from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio in 1964. She was subsequently awarded several grants from the National Science Foundation for graduate study in mathematics and received a master’s degree from Notre Dame University in 1966. She also pursued graduate studies in religious education at St. Thomas University in Houston.

Teaching was a way of life for Sister Catherine for over six decades. Most of her teaching years were at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi. During her first four years there, she taught mathematics and French. After that, she focused on mathematics and religion. Additionally, she taught religious education at several Corpus Christi parishes in the evenings and on weekends—St. Patrick, St. Theresa, St. Paul, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Cross, and Our Lady of Refuge in Refugio. At Incarnate Word Academy, she coordinated the student religious education assistants and teachers in their preparation for programs in their parishes.

Shortly after Sister retired from teaching at Incarnate Word Academy in 2015, the school renovated the lobby of the Mother Patricia Gunning Gym and built and dedicated the “Sister Catherine Café” in her honor. The handout for the dedication ceremony included the following description of Sister: “She has served this community for more than half a century. Her quiet and humble spirit has enlightened, inspired, and strengthened generations of Incarnate Word Academy Angels. She has mentored many young people, not just as a math teacher, department chairperson, sponsor, counselor, and bookstore manager, but also as a living expression of Jesus, the teacher.”

When a 1995 graduate of Incarnate Word Academy delivered her valedictory speech at her graduation, she reflected on Sister Catherine’s choice of religious life and her impact as a teacher. She said, “There is only one Sister Catherine Brehony, and though we may go on to be world-famous mathematicians or engineers, we will never become her. Sister Catherine, you may think that I am only talking about the math that we see through your eyes, and I am grateful for the math you have taught us, but I think we have learned a lot more. You have given us the example of your life. You have taught us that there are other roads less traveled out there, perhaps the one that you took, and that they can make all the difference for a better world.”

Within the Congregation, Sister served three 4-year terms on the General Council, was Coordinator of Initial Formation and Director of Postulants for 12 years, Vocation Director for six years, assistant to the Sister-in-Charge of the Motherhouse, member of the Formation Committee, and participated in many commissions and committees.

Some of Sister Catherine’s leisurely activities included reading newspapers and magazines, playing Solitaire on the computer, and playing Canasta and Dominoes.

Funeral arrangements will be provided by Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service. Services will be held at Incarnate Word Convent, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413. Due to limited seating, the services* will be livestreamed on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/iwbscc.

Visitation: Friday, October 17, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.
*    Rosary: Friday, October 17, at 6:30 pm.
*    Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, October 18, at 9:45 am.
Burial: 11:30 am at Rose Hill Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Incarnate Word Sisters Retirement Fund”, Attention: Sr. Anna Marie Espinosa, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi,