Sister Mary Kristin ND 5999 PDF Download
Jane Kristin BATTLES
Immaculate Conception Province, USA
Date of Birth: August 13, 1946 Providence, Rhode Island
First Profession: August 16, 1967 Los Angeles, California
Date of Death: August 15, 2026 Thousand Oaks, California
Sister Mary Kristin was the daughter of William and Claire Battles. She lived her first five years on the East Coast. During this time her sister Susan and brother William also joined the family. The family moved to California for Mr. Battles’ work.
Kristin attended Notre Dame Academy Girls’ High School. She had known the Sisters of Notre Dame for religious education classes, but in high school she got to know them very well. Kristin recognized their “joyful simplicity” and their selfless spirit as well as the works of the congregation.
Sister Mary Kristin entered the convent in 1964 and was professed August 16, 1967. She earned her university degrees in education. She taught school for 10 years followed by 15 years as an elementary school principal. Sister Mary Kristin was a certified Spiritual Director, Master Catechist, and Education Coordinator for the community. She was a life-long learner and encouraged personal and professional growth in all the sisters.
In 2001 Sister Mary Kristin became the provincial superior of the California province. During these years she spent her energy in continuing to expand the Uganda Mission, separately incorporating the community owned schools, forming and training school boards, renovating Notre Dame Center and opening Notre Dame Learning Center.
Sister Mary Kristin was elected as the tenth Superior General of the congregation at the 2010 General Chapter. It was her privilege to work with sisters from the various units, visit the sisters and ministries around the world, and see the wonderful work the sisters were doing to incarnate the love of our good and provident God. Highlights of her two terms in office included inspiring letters and conferences, the establishment of the Congregational and Generalate Funds, organizing international experiences, and making difficult decisions about buildings, ministries and structures.
Sister Mary Kristin was diagnosed with cancer in April 2026. She participated in treatment but it became evident that the treatments were not working. She passed away peacefully at Notre Dame Center with several sisters around her bedside in the early hours of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
In her autobiography, Sister Mary Kristin wrote: “I am most grateful to God for giving me a vocation to Notre Dame and to have walked with me through life with its twists and turns. Our Lady has been my inspiration and my sisters in religious life have been my support. My brother and sister have always been there for me, and I am blessed with the love of my niece and nephew and their families. God has been very good to me, and I hope that my life has been a witness to his goodness and provident care.”
