In appointing her, Bishop Barnes thanked Sr. Kane for her vision and witness in the formational mission of the church. She had served as director of the diocesan Ministry of Educational Services since 2009.
“It’s a pleasure to work side by side with the Bishop and those who lead the church and I pray I can strengthen what has been initiated here,” Sr. Kane said.
As chancellor, Sr. Kane’s chief responsibility will be to see that the work of the diocesan Curia is gathered, arranged and archived. The Curia is the top lay advisory body to the Bishop. She will also sign all official diocesan documents, oversee archiving of Church documents, serve as a member of the Curia and participate in a variety of other meetings and activities of the diocese.
Sr. Kane is the 10th Chancellor in the history of the Diocese of San Bernardino and the fifth woman religious to hold the position.
She will bring her collaborative, team-building attitude and organization skills to the position.
“I love to listen, love to take it to prayer and love to act on it but in the context of a team,” Sr. Kane said. “This is not an ‘I’ position, this journey is a ‘we.’ ”
One of the first tasks she hopes to accomplish is to meet with Bishop Barnes to discuss the needs and priorities of the diocese. With a clearer understanding of Bishop’s objectives in service of the diocesan vision, Sr. Kane will be able to advocate and affirm its fulfillment, she says.
Sr. Kane first came to the diocese in 1985 to serve as principal of Precious Blood School in Banning. Later she came to the Office of Catholic Schools, first as Catholic Schools Curriculum Director then as Associate Superintendent and finally as Superintendent of Catholic Schools from 2004-2009.
For the past three years she has been the director of the Ministry of Educational Services, which oversees the Office of Catholic Schools, the Ministry with Youth Office, the Office of Small Faith Communities, the Office of Charismatic Renewal, the Office of Catechetical Ministry and the Ministry Formation Institute. Her replacement had not been named at press time.
“I have grown to love the people I work with,” Sr. Kane said. “I’ll be working with them in a different way.”
While stepping away from the Ministry of Educational Services, Sister Kane believes that as chancellor she will find a way to express her love for teaching.
“I will still be an educator, still be a religious and still be a minister of the Church.”
Theresa Montminy, who had served as Chancellor since 2009, has been named director of the diocesan Office of Development. Montminy has a wealth of career experience in the ministry of development and had been unofficially managing the office for nearly two years.