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Holy Trinity School principal is one fun nun
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By Andrew Kuehl
akuehl@kewaskumstatesman.com
KEWASKUM- You can’t ignore the stereotypes. Nuns, rulers and red knuckles seem to go together like lunch ladies, hairnets and moles. The state’s youngest woman in recent years to enter religious life is out to change the stereotypes and she’s doing it at Holy Trinity Catholic School. The Fun Nun has arrived.
Sister Katy LaFond is 27 years old and is breaking all the “rules” of sisterhood (well, those that don’t really matter anyway) Sister Katy got her title from some of her former seventh grade students at Holy Family School. “I could tell some students were nervous about having a nun in their school because of the many stereotypes with nuns. After a few weeks someone was asking them about their teachers, and they replied ‘we have the fun nun,’” she recalled.
Her “official” title led to her living group asking her to create a blog. Religious Life Rocks the Adventures of One Fun Nun was born. Sister Katy explains that her community is made up of a number of other School Sisters of Saint Francis (SSSF) nuns living in Milwaukee. The blog helps her in her role as an advocate for vocations in this region of the country.
After studying education administration at Alverno College, Sister Katy says she knew becoming a school principal was the next step on her path in the field of education. She began actively looking at employment postings for Milwaukee Archdiocese. “I knew I wanted to be in Catholic education,” she recalls.
Coming to Kewaskum
Pursuing through job postings of various positions available in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Sister Katy saw the posting for Holy Trinity seeking a principal. She bounced the idea off of Sister Phyllis Wirtz, who lives in her community. “She lit up and said she was principal at Holy Trinity (before June Gauvin). She spoke highly of the community and the school. That made me very excited. When they offered me the position, I came for a visit and upon seeing the spirit of the teachers, and families I realized they viewed Catholic education as a family. That is very much in line with my values as an administrator,” she said enthusiastically.
After starting on July 2, Sister Katy says the biggest impression made on her is the hospitality of the parish community. “People are so gracious, whether they are stopping in to say hello, see how I am doing or welcome me. I feel like I am part of a family,” she reports.
Her first year on the job will be a learning curve. Sister Katy reveals she has made a few subtle changes. Ultimately she says she wants to learn what makes Holy Trinity tick. “I also see the role of a new principal building relationships with students, staff, and parishioners. As principal, I am the spiritual leader of the school,” she declared.
“I hope parents will see a change as far as spirit of the school. When one is new, we are all new. With that said we are growing together as a faculty. I feel very blessed to follow such a phenomenal person. I am so grateful for the foundation June has set for me,” Sister Katy says.
Holy Trinity welcomes three new teachers along with Sister Katy. Jeff Janssen serves as phy-ed teacher, Diana Portlance as music instructor and Holly Feucht in K-4.
Religious Life Rocks
Sister Katy is part of the School Sisters of St. Francis, an international Franciscan community of more than 1,200 sisters and associates serving in educational, prayer, healing, social and pastoral ministries in Europe, Latin America, India and the United States. The organization was founded in 1874 in Wisconsin and headquartered in Milwaukee.
Sister Toni Gradisnik is regarded as the first seed planter for Sister Katy. That seed was planted in fourth grade, Sister Toni was principal of Sister Katy’s elementary school in Waukesha. “I said there was no way,” she recalled. The two stayed in contact through high school. Sister Katy says, she was able to acquaint herself with the sisters on a deeper level during her time at Alverno College.
“In our (Catholic) faith we believe that everyone has a calling through baptism. There are many ways to live out your call, and I always tell people that God calls us to find ways to be the best version we can be and to do what makes us happy. To some that is getting married and having a family. For some it's being single. And for some it’s religious life. To live in the most authentic life I can, I chose religious life,” Sister Katy asserts.
“I am very mission focused and service-oriented, I think that perked my interest with the community lifestyle of the SSSF. We are very mission focused. Being a very globally oriented person and knowing that we are global and not just trying to serve the people in the Milwaukee area is very appealing to me. The community life aspect sealed the deal; the community aspect is what I was called to. I feel at home with the sisters,” Sister Katy reveals.
Sister Katy holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with minors in vocal performance and early childhood education. She also holds a master’s degree in administrative leadership with a minor in curriculum instruction.
In addition to her parents, Sister Katy has two younger sisters. She enjoys sports, especially soccer. She also is a Comedy Sportz improv comedy Actlete. These varieties of interests assure Sister Katy is one Fun Nun!
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