Katherine M. (Kim) McElaney '76, director of the Office of College Chaplains since 1992, died Monday, May 3, 2010 after an illness.
During her 18 years as director of the chaplains' office, Kim was committed to advancing her vision for campus ministry and the Catholic Church by mentoring students, especially women, and educating for social justice issues. Soon after arriving at Holy Cross, she started a chapter of Pax Christi on campus and launched the Mexico Immersion Program. In 1999, she began the Magis Program, designed to help students develop into leaders in ministry and the church. She was also a board member of International Partners for Mission, Pax Christi, and Jesuit Volunteer Corps East. She also served as the chair of the board of JVC East for many years.
Born in Boston, Kim grew up in Newton, Mass. and West Hartford, Conn., where she graduated from Northwest Catholic High School. She was a member of the first class of women who enrolled when Holy Cross became co-educational in 1972. After graduation, she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and, after that, received her Master of Divinity degree at Weston School of Theology, Cambridge. She first worked as a chaplain at Fairfield University before returning to Holy Cross in 1985. In 1992, she was named director of the Office of the College Chaplains, the first layperson and first woman to hold that position at Holy Cross.
In 1994, she received the Pedro Arrupe Medal for Excellence in Ministry from the Weston School of Theology.
Kim was an avid gardener, quilter, knitter, traveler, cook and baker, a strong feminist, and a vocal advocate for social justice. She was particularly interested in Latin American culture.
Calling hours are Thursday, May 6, from 4-8 pm at the Athy Memorial Home, Worcester, Mass. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 7, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Church, also in Worcester. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Holy Cross Mourns Longtime College Chaplain
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