“But those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”
-Daniel 13
Sister Mary Cecile “Cele” Breen, 87, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 70 years, died on July 18, 2024. The youngest of the six children of William and Catherine (née Galvin) Breen, she grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and Bishop Hogan High School. After one year at Saint Mary College, she entered religious life on August 19, 1954, and took the name Sister Jean Kevin when she received her habit; she later returned to her baptismal name.
Sister Cele began her first 12 years of ministry as an elementary school teacher, teaching in grade schools across California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Wyoming. She moved into parish and diocesan ministries, most notably at the highly regarded Pastoral Life and Ministry Center at the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, where she was one of the founders of the “New Wine” ministry formation program. Through this program, Sister Cele and her team instructed and empowered the laity as they embraced new roles and ministries in the Catholic Church following Vatican II. With the closure of the Pastoral Life and Ministry Center in 2005, she became involved in social justice ministries like Holy Family Catholic Worker House in Kansas City, Missouri.
Her work in social justice drew Sister Cele to become an advocate for the end of nuclear weapons. In 2013, she was arrested for trespassing during a protest at the Kansas City Plant/Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies plant. During the trial, she spoke about the destruction nuclear weapons can cause, and “The only thing I would say I’m guilty of is that I’m 77 years old, and only in the last few years have I been active on this. I am guilty of being so late in putting my body and my voice on the line.” Moved by the testimony of the protesters, the judge, who had presided over the cases of other nuclear weapons protesters, ruled that the defendants write answers to six questions, saying, “I think you’re educating because every time I learn something.”
Throughout her lifetime, Sister Cele was an excellent teacher. She captured simply and profoundly the riches of the Christian faith tradition through her love and vast knowledge of Scripture. She held degrees from Saint Mary College, the University of San Francisco, and Fordham University. She also studied at Loyola University (Los Angeles), Fairfield University (Connecticut), Boston College and St. Mary’s University (San Antonio).
She returned to the Mother House in Leavenworth in 2022.
Sister Cele was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marlene Whitehead Breen; many nieces and nephews; and the SCL Community.
There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., Monday, August 5, 2024 in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Interment follows in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.
Click here to view a short video honoring the life of Sister Cele.
2 Responses
Cele was a teacher at the cell level. In breaking open scripture, she would show you where to look, but never told you what to see. I was fortunate to have witnessed her gifts through her work in the Center for Pastoral Life and Ministriy and as a co-worker at the diocese. Cele, in the hearts of those who loved you, you will always be with us.
I first met Cele through the New Wine, one of the most enriching programs I’ve ever been in. She was a wonderful teacher, and retreat leader. I will miss seeing her.