“Be diligent in serving the poor. Love the poor, honor them, my children, as you would honor Christ Himself.”
St. Louise de Marillac
A Family Blessing
By Associate Angela Anno
Inspired by her late aunt, S. Betty Finn, Associate Mary Beth Marquard (right) made her commitment as an Associate in Mission on Aug. 9, 2025. Pictured with Director of Associates Chanin Wilson.
Mary Beth Marquard and Kate Branch both feel called to live out the charism of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. In August, Mary Beth made her commitment as an Associate in Mission, accompanied by her companion, Associate Kate Branch. Both women have been inspired by close family members whose lives and example have nurtured their desire to follow this path. For Kate, that influence came from her aunt, S. Marie Pauline Skalski, and her mother, Pat Branch. For Mary Beth, it was her aunt, the late S. Betty Finn, and her lifelong relationship with the Sisters. These shared connections have added an extra dimension to their companioning journey together.
The Sisters of Charity have been a constant source of joy, support, and family-like connection for Kate and Mary Beth—a presence they describe as both inspiring and ‘cool.’
To young Kate, S. Marie Pauline (Aunt Kay) was her fun aunt – full of laughter, love, joy and scavenger hunt clues. Kate recalls that she didn’t think much about women religious until she was about 5, when Aunt Kay told her about the newly canonized Mother Seton. Proudly showing Kate a relic, she left a lasting impression. Kate’s admiration grew when she briefly re-encountered her favorite Aunt Kay at age 8, now serving as principal S. Marie Pauline, and learned even more about the Sisters of Charity.
Mary Beth describes her aunt, S. Betty Finn, as “mischievous.” On one visit, she and Mary Beth’s mother switched clothing and greeted the children with morning hugs. “It took me a few minutes to realize, it wasn’t my mother I was hugging,” Mary Beth recalled.
Though both religious were involved in a variety of ministries and leadership positions, for Kate and Mary Beth, it was their love, support, and family presence that left the greatest impression.
A lifelong closeness to her sister led Kate’s mother to become an Associate in 2002, seeing it as a way to deepen her faith. Inspired by both her aunt and mother, Kate chose to become an Associate in 2017, companioned by S. Marie Pauline. The experience has deepened their relationships, allowing the three of them to speak more often about spiritual matters and grow closer in faith and family bonds.
Kate’s life has included a wide variety of chapters. After graduating from Barnard College and Duke Law School, she founded the Duke Journal of Gender Law and Policy, which has continued for more than 30 years. She then returned to New York, spending a decade practicing employment law, before joining her mother in North Carolina to run the family’s Chapel Hill Books and Coffee shop. Today, Kate’s focus is on family, having moved to Iowa with her husband to support her stepdaughter and care for her beloved grandchild, Ollie. She has also volunteered on the Margaret George Investment Committee, is pursuing a leadership certificate from the Leadership Collaborative, and serves as a Historical Preservation Commissioner for her town.
Mary Beth’s journey has also taken her across the country. Though she began in the for-profit sector, she felt God calling her to nonprofit work in 1998, which eventually led to a position at Sunnyside Ministry, the social service arm of the Moravian Church. Feeling she was following God’s guidance, she had prepared to retire—but one lingering job application opened the door to her “dream job.” She is now regional director for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, overseeing programming, staff, outreach, and fundraising in the Piedmont Triad area.
Mary Beth is currently collaborating with community colleges and local agencies to retrofit a van for her clothing program, allowing families to “shop” for their children with dignity. She is also working to involve parishes in these outreach efforts and explore other ways Catholic Charities can serve the community—a living expression of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
Both Kate and Mary Beth continue to serve in ministries of presence, grace, and love wherever God calls, following Mother Seton’s guidance to “go where the need is.”
Mary Beth
Inspired by her late aunt, S. Betty Finn, Associate Mary Beth Marquard (right) made her commitment as an Associate in Mission on Aug. 9, 2025. Pictured with Director of Associates Chanin Wilson.
Branch
(From left) Associate Pat Branch, Associate Kate Branch and S. Marie Pauline Skalski share a deep connection and family bond.
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