MIKE INTRODUCES YOU TO CATHERINE:
First, she's the one on the left. Next, the most important thing to know about Cat is that she used to be a big Willie McGee fan, yes the famed Cardinals star was one of her favorites growing up. She knows how to pick 'em. Seriously, Catherine is a holy soul. She is the fifth of six children born to Greg and Pat Gehred. All six of them are ND grads, as is their dad (mom passed up scholarships to Harvard, Yale and Holy Cross College). Catherine graduated ND in '98 and used her theology degree right away to serve the poor. She joined the staff of Andre House, a place of hospitality for the homeless of Phoenix, AZ. She gave 2 years of her life there, then went traveling a bit to discern her path. She thought about becoming a sister, even visited some communities. Yea, just like the Sound of Music (not really). On one trip she took her sister Teresa, and she joined! During this time Cat decided to follow a call she had to learn Spanish and serve folks who had crossed the border at great risk, seeking a better life. So she went to Guatemala, learned el espanol, and joined the biggest Catholic Worker House of Hospitality in the country: Casa Juan Diego in Houston. Again, two years she served there (uh, I hope she gives me longer than a two year stint!). While in Houston she lived with many women seeking refuge, and with them built a beautiful and bountiful garden, no easy task in Houston. It was at the end of her time there that she and I decided to give us a go...