Women’s Center Founder Departs One Dream Fulfilled, Sister Beckley Returns To School, Hopes One Day To Become Priest

A large, emotional family of women said farewell to their leader Friday.

Sister Cathy Beckley not only ran The Women’s DropIn Center for the past five years, the safe haven for women at 218 S. Howard was her dream.

As 50 center regulars listened, Beckley recounted the vision that convinced her to work with women. “I felt God calling me to do something new.”

Women ranging from their 20s to their 70s hugged the amiable, humorous nun and wished her success in her latest dream. She plans to return to school in hopes that some day the church will allow her to become a priest.

Her current followers testified to the healing power of the center and Beckley.

“When I first became acquainted with the center and all its dreams I had just gotten out of Eastern State Hospital,” said a woman named Jill. “I had pretty much lost everything. This place was the beginning of the steps I took up the ladder … We are full of grace down here. We really are.”

Wendy started crying when she spoke. “I was so afraid to get clean and sober because I thought I’d be all alone. Now look at this,” she said, gesturing to all her friends.

Another woman described leaving Spokane to get away from drugs and then returning to try to get her kids.

“I found this place and met Sister Cathy, then I had the courage to come back. I know she cared and that made all the difference in the world.”

Another woman summed up the center this way: “This is a safe place to be human.”

Beckley, 49, and the women sang songs, said prayers and hugged and cried in a room cluttered with messages and slogans. “Women continue to suffer for the sins of mankind. … The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.”

The loquacious nun filled the air with her center stories, her gratitude and her introduction of the new director, Sister Patty Beattie.

“My gift to you is that I’m leaving,” Beckley said, smiling. “That sounds so weird, but some newness will happen.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo