Little Flower High School last week welcomed back former principal Sister Kathleen Klarich for a special Mass and unveiling of her portrait.
The Rev. Joe McCaffrey, the school minister, celebrated the Mass in the chapel. Afterward, as Sister Kathleen exited the chapel, the staff and students were lined up in the hallway to applaud her.
Sister Kathleen, a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, served as principal from 1995 to 2020, making her the school’s longest-serving principal.
A St. Helena Elementary School and Cardinal Dougherty High School graduate, Sister Kathleen served as a teacher and administrator for 45 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She is on a sabbatical.
Prior to being appointed principal of Little Flower, Sister Kathleen served as an administrator at John W. Hallahan, a member of the guidance staff at Merion Mercy Academy and a business teacher at Hallahan and Little Flower.
Near the close of Mass, Jeane McNamara, the school president, recalled Sister Kathleen’s words at last year’s baccalaureate Mass for the senior class of 2020. The then-principal said to be a part of Little Flower is a gift to be treasured and shared, as school patron St. Therese was an instrument of God’s peace and love.
“The gift of you has touched us profoundly,” McNamara said.
“I pray I did my best with it,” Sister Kathleen said.
The former principal, who received roses upon her return, said it was an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to serve as principal.
“I thank God every day for it,” she said.
Barbara Ambacher, class of 1969 and a board member of the Friends of Little Flower, said the board was donating $20,000 toward the Sister Kathleen Klarich, RSM Center for Academic Excellence.
The center will build on the 82-year-old school’s tradition of educating young women who are faith filled, college and career ready, independent and guided by an awareness of moral responsibility to self and others.
Sister Kathleen is looking forward to returning for the opening of the Center for Academic Excellence, expected to debut in the fall.
“This is a very, very special school,” she said. ••
