Felician Sister Catalina Marie Batres pronounced her final vows in a ceremony attended by friends, family and presided by Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Father William Easterling, pastor of St. Martha Church in Valinda and a longtime friend of the family, delivered the homily.

The oldest of 11 children born to Rosalio and Rosa Batres, Sister Batres attended St. Joseph Church in Pomona and St. Joseph School, where she encountered the Felician Sisters. By the fourth grade, supported by her family and parish community, she had decided to join the Felician Sisters, and entered on Feb. 26, 1995, making her first profession Dec. 29, 1998.

Regarded by her fellow sisters as a vibrant member of the community, Sister Batres bring spiritual depth and "a keen sense of humor" to her ministry, as well as an accomplished talent for singing, playing guitar and composing. Her primary ministry is education, and she currently teaches at St. Cecilia School in San Antonio, Texas.