An inspiration to a deeper connection with faith

Katarina Goitz ’16, ’18 M.A.

Posthumous Recognition

MAJOR: CHINESE; MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY (ECHO GRADUATE SERVICE PROGRAM)

After receiving her masters in theology from Notre Dame’s Echo program, Katarina Goitz ’16, ’18 M.A. worked as a youth minister for six churches in Galveston, Texas, for 10 months, before she was tragically killed by a hit and run driver while leaving Notre Dame after an Echo reunion in June 2019. Although humble, her acts of compassion — such as giving the shoes on her feet to a homeless woman — moved many throughout her life. Father Jude Ezuma of Galveston said “she infused vigor in the program through her gentleness, piety, kindness, hard work, dedication, and love of God.” One of her 16-year-old confirmation candidates wrote, “Her grace was like a burning flame. She passed it along to everyone she met, and her kindness and gentleness inspired those she touched to spread it further.” She turned a failing program into one with a wait list. 

Her virtues of speaking gently, living humbly, giving freely, and greeting the world with joy began long before attending Notre Dame and remained with her until her last breath. Her last act of kindness was to put a letter of encouragement under the door of every Echo student while they were sleeping on the morning of her accident. 

Her work continues in the form of a blog, Katarina Lives On, which includes daily Bible readings, and through a nonprofit foundation, the Katarina Goitz Foundation for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, to support the work and education of youth ministers.