In Memory of Kathaleen Sato

Name: Kathaleen Sato
Spouse: Michio Sato
Birth Date: August 19, 1950
Blessing: 1800 Couples Blessing
Ascension Date: October 1, 2020

Kathaleen Theresa Sato, a dedicated daughter of God and Kingdom builder was born in Scotia Hospital in Scotia, California on August 19, 1950 to William Meredith Heney (Bill) and Bonita Mae Heney (Bonnie). She attended the Methodist Church in Fortuna, California where she grew up. She was active in clubs at Fortuna Union High School, where she graduated with honors.

In 1968, Kathaleen received a scholarship to San Francisco City College, and later attended San Francisco University. During that time, Kathy met her spiritual mother Gloria Frothingham who introduced her to the Unification Church movement under Papa-san Choi. With hope-filled enthusiasm she traveled the United States with the One World Crusade mobile team sharing the message and mission of the church.

After her 1800 couple Marriage Blessing in 1975, she was sent as a missionary to Cameroon in Africa. There, she worked diligently for seven years, laying the foundation for the Unification Church. Many Cameroonian members have fond memories of Kathy and the sacrifices she made for the sake of their country, even winning the title Mother Theresa of Cameroon.

Upon her return to the United States, Kathaleen worked in Boston as secretary to the church leader. She often contributed as part of the workshop staff and did witnessing until 1989 when she and her husband Michio Sato moved to New York, and then New Jersey. They worked together at True World Foods until she gave birth in 1991 (at the age of 41) to their beloved son, Shinji.

While caring for her family, Kathaleen became an active member of Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) in the early 1990s after its founding. She invested her whole heart and soul into sharing the “A Logic of Love” message. During her tenure, she helped organize sisterhood ceremonies between thousands of Japanese and Western women on the East Coast of the United States.

She taught at Kumon as a specialist for early learners (pre-K and kindergarten) from 1997 until 2019.

In 2001, Kathaleen became ordained by the Evangelical Christian Association and shifted her focus to the development and expansion of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC). She supported the educational and fellowship activities through the Pastors’ Forums, Prayer Breakfasts, and giving with special emphasis to Women in Ministry. She also served as the secretary for the East Orange Clergy Association for three years. Her efforts with ACLC have created a strong fellowship among the clergy involved, and inspired current members to carry on her efforts.

During the last year, Kathy has been in and out of the hospital due to pancreatic cancer and passed on October 1 at 12:08 p.m. with her husband, son and a few close friends by her side. She is survived by her brother Hugh William Heney and sister Christina Michelle Seagraves.

Kathaleen was dedicated to the Unification mission for over 50 years. She has served faithfully in any and all capacities she was able to. She will be remembered for her undying love, faith and commitment. Today a heavenly champion ascends and begins yet another mission to advocate for God, Jesus and our True Parents.

Viewing
Viewing hours will be held at the Clifton Family Church on Sunday, October 4 from 6:00-8:30pm. Due to concerns surrounding Covid-19, a maximum number of 70 people can be in the chapel at any given time, as social distancing is being strictly enforced. None the less we hope to accommodate all those who would like to visit. As such we ask all those wishing to pay their respects, to adhere to the following visitation schedule, if possible, and be prepared to wait in case of a large volume of visitors:
Residents of Essex, Middlesex and Union counties, and other states: 6:00-7:15pm

Residents of Bergen and Passaic counties: 7:30-8:30pm
All visitors are asked to where a mask while in the building.

Seonghwa and Wonjeon
Also due to concerns surrounding Covid-19, the Seonghwa and Wonjeon services will be held for a limited number of in-person participants on Monday, October 5 at 9:00am, by invitation only. However, all those who would like to participate virtually in the Seonghwa Ceremony will be able to do so via Zoom.
If you would like to participate in the ceremony by Zoom, please click this link at the day and time of the ceremony. Please note that all participants will be muted, but able to make comments in the chat.

Chain-Prayer
We will start a 24-Hour Chain-Prayer for Rev. Sato beginning on Sunday, October 4th at 8:00pm. If you are able to take part in the Chain-Prayer, please click here. For any questions, please contact Mrs. Yoko Burns at yokoburns2075@gmail.com.

To Offer a Donation
If you would like to offer a donation to support the Sato family in covering the costs for the burial services, please click on this gofundme page.

Flowers or Condolences
May be sent to the:
Clifton Family Church
c/o Mrs. Eriko Endo
78 De Mott Ave.,
Clifton, NJ 07011