Sr Timothy Kirby 1918-2010

We're sad to report that Sister Tim Kirby, a moral giant of the Catholic peace movement in Duluth, died just before Christmas at the age of 92. A gifted musician and teacher, Sr Tim was also a committed agitator for justice and peace. She was a long-time chair of the local chapter of Pax Christi, and for 20 years served as a volunteer minister at the Duluth Federal Prison Camp.

Frank Cordaro, an anti-nuclear activist from Des Moines, spent 6 months at the Duluth Federal Prison Camp in 2002 for for an act of civil disobedience. Here's what he had to say about Sr Tim:

On Sunday morning, we have a Catholic communion service lead by Sr. Timothy. Sr. Timothy is a sheer delight. No more than five feet tall and 82 years young, she celebrated her 60th year in the convent while I was in Duluth. A long time member of Pax Christi, she embodies the best of what a Catholic Religious feminist is all about... After each service, I just hugged her and thanked her for her good words. I told her more than once that she was prefiguring what women will be able to do in our church someday.

A wake will be held for Sr Tim at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the St. Scholastica Monastery. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Jan. 12 also at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel.