The Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great citation reads:

Francis, Supreme Pontiff, is pleased to accede to the request made to him that, on account of your positive and generous work for the growth and development of Catholic Women’s League Australia and, as testimony of his goodwill designates you, Catherine Veronica McGrath, Diocese of Wollongong, to be declared a Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, granting you the right to all the privileges that accompany this dignity.

The Citation was presented to Catherine at an installation Mass at St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral on 24 January. The Mass was concelebrated by the Bishop of Wollongong, Most Rev. Brian Mascara; Monsignor Frank Marriott of the Diocese of Sandhurst; and Fr Sean Cullen, Parish Priest on 24 January 2021.

Catherine joined the Catholic Womens’ League for fellowship and friendship and was spurred on by their mission “advocating of the respect of human rights, promoting the teaching of Christ and His Church concerning the dignity, integrity and freedom of the human person”. She was elected State President of CWLA-NSW Inc in 2007 for two terms of two years. Towards the end of her term of office she was asked to stand as a candidate to the WUCWO Board as the Australian Board Member and in 2010 was elected to the General Assembly of WCWO, where she is still actively serving.

In 2014 Catherine became WUCWO Vice President Asia Pacific Region. 2022 will see the end of Catherine’s tenure as WUCWO Board Member Australia and WUCWO Vice President Asia Pacific.

Now a Parishioner of Mittagong- Bowral in the Diocese of Wollongong, Catherine’s work with WUCWO has taken her to Jerusalem, Italy, the Philippines, Pacific Islands and parts of Africa - a long way from the Eaglehawk miners cottage where she was raised with her seven siblings.
Catherine has fond memories of her spiritually rich childhood. Her brothers run to St Liborius’ Church to ring the Angelus bells at six o’clock each morning and her family would follow for the seven o’clock Mass. Rosary was prayed every evening.

Catherine and her siblings were taught about service to their parish and community by the example of her parents, who never expected recognition, but only wanted to work for God. Catherine, like her siblings, attended St Liborius’ Primary School in Eaglehawk and later St Mary’s College in Bendigo.

A recent social media post published by Catherine McAuley College (formerly St Mary’s College) leverages Catherine’s papal award to inspire others to serve their local school and church communities. It is apparent that Dame Catherine is our Eaglehawk daughter of whom we are most proud.

Dame Catherine McGrath holds Papal Award with her husband Jim McGrath.  Monsignor Frank Marriott is to her left and Parish Priest Fr Sean Cullen and Bishop Brian Mascara to here right.