Antoinette was the oldest of five children born to Albert and Olilia Ebelhar Kuper at Glennonville, Mo., on January 1, 1917. As the oldest child, she learned early in life to assume responsibility for her three younger brothers and little sister.
Antoinette’s formal education began at St. Teresa Elementary School, Glennonville, in 1923. She came to Mount Saint Joseph Academy for high school. Antoinette entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph, September 1937. She received the habit and name Sister Mary Catherine, August 14, 1938 and professed temporary vows August 15, 1940.
Sister’s first teaching assignment began at St. Catherine Elementary, New Haven, Ky., teaching second grade. She continued at St. Catherine until 1954, moving with her students from grade to grade, year by year. Other assignments were Louisville (St. Columba), Mount Saint Joseph Academy, St. Catherine High School, and St. Mary High, Paducah, Ky.
After 33 years in the teaching apostolate, Sister had major surgery. During her recuperation period she decided not to return to St. Mary High School. She felt she was losing heart in her work there and decided to leave teaching. She accepted a position as minister of Pastoral Care at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. She continued in this capacity for 21 years. Ministering to patients and their families was rewarding in so many ways for her. The patients and the staff loved and respected her competent, unselfish service.
In 1994, Sister Mary Catherine retired to Mount Saint Joseph. She used her artistic talents quilting, and making other kinds of needlework for the annual Mount Saint Joseph Picnic. She often spoke of the rich liturgical life at the Mount as the “oasis after the desert.” While doing her weekly laundry on January 6, 1996, Sister suffered a stroke. She never regained consciousness and died that afternoon at Owensboro‑Mercy Hospital. Father Bernard Powers, Father Jerry Riney and Father Robert Drury concelebrated the funeral Mass on January 8. Sister’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.