Florida Catholic | Last Of Her Kind

Sister Patricia holds a photograph of her family – herself, her parents and her nine brothers and sisters – as she speaks about her early years.

ANA RODRIGUEZ–SOTO | FC
Sister Patricia holds a photograph of her family – herself, her parents and her nine brothers and sisters – as she speaks about her early years. “I guess you’d say we had a wholesome family life, helping each other. That’s carried over into my religious life,” said Sister Knapp.

Last of her kind | Part 3

ANA RODRIGUEZ–SOTO | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 05.08.08

CORAL SPRINGS | Having a door slammed in her face was a lesson that characterized her approach to ministry, Sister Patricia Knapp said. It’s not so much about conversion as accompaniment. “You just have to have people in your life to help you over some of your stumbling blocks,” she said.

That is what Kathy Cordero will remember – and miss – most about Sister Knapp.

“She’s always been here. That’s how she is,” said the St. Andrew Towers resident who attributes her return to Catholicism to the sister who has brought Communion to Cordero’s husband every morning for the past seven years.

Cordero was raised Episcopalian but converted to Catholicism when she married her husband at 19. “I didn’t go back to church until my husband got sick” about 12 years ago, she said.

When Cordero and her husband moved into St. Andrew Towers, Sister Knapp explained to Cordero that she could not go to Communion without first making a confession.

“If it wasn’t for her, I would have never known,” said Cordero, who now goes to daily Mass and confession every two weeks. “She has taught me a lot. She has been like a big inspiration to me. I’m going to miss her.”

Sister Knapp will certainly miss the Corderos and all the others whose doors she knocks on every morning. She will miss waking across the parking lot to attend 7 a.m. Mass at St. Andrew, then returning with Communion for those who are unable to walk.

She was sad at first about having to move, but now, “I know it’s supposed to be (this way), so I don’t let it ruin my day-to-day activity,” Sister Knapp said.

Pointing to photographs and certificates she has received from those she has served throughout the years, she added, “I mean, look at all these memories I’ve got.”

Courtesy Photo
This 1980s photo shows the Victory Noll sisters who have ministered in Florida since 1951.

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Last of her kind | Part 3

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