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Sister Maria Catherine Iannotti, P.V.M.I., a former local superior of the Parish Visitors Convent at St. Raymond’s parish, the Bronx, is the new general superior of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.
Now known as Mother Maria Catherine, she was elected for a five-year term June 19 at Marycrest, the congregation’s motherhouse in Monroe. She succeeds Mother Carole Marie Troskowski, P.V.M.I.
In 2013, Mother Maria Catherine became vice postulator for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Servant of God Mary Teresa Tallon, foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.
At Marycrest, she has served as juniorate director since 2013, postulant director since 2009 and novice director since 2008.
Additionally, she served as local superior and postulant director at convents in Rome in the Diocese of Syracuse, 2005-2007, and Scranton, Pa., 2007-2008; local superior of the infirmary at Marycrest, 2002-2005; the first formation director at the sisters’ convent in Nigeria, 1991-1996; and vocation director at the motherhouse, 1987-1990.
Parish Visitors are known as contemplative missionaries; the apostolate seeks Catholics who no longer practice their faith through door-to-door visitation and religious education.
Mother Maria Catherine has experience both in visitation and in providing religious instruction at St. Raymond’s, the Bronx, 1999-2002. In addition to serving as local superior of the Parish Visitors Convent, she did door-to-door visitation, re-evangelizing non-practicing Catholics; taught confirmation classes; brought Holy Communion to the elderly homebound; and led Our Lady’s Mission Club.
She also served at Holy Family parish in Rome, N.Y.; and in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Nigeria.
Born in Brooklyn, she earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from St. John’s University in Queens and a master’s in religious studies, with a concentration in catechetics, from Notre Dame Catechetical Institute in Arlington, Va. She has also earned a pontifical catechetical diploma.
She has also served on the general council, an advisory board to the general superior.
