Sister Jacqueline Ketter always had a good sense when she had to find fertile ground for sowing the seeds of God's words. Throughout her life, she not only taught Scripture but also lived her life by the message of gospel.

"She had keen awareness of the power of God's words. She was so much in love that she wanted to pass that love to others. That was her goal," said the Rev. John Rushofsky, director of clergy personnel at the Diocese of Pittsburgh, where Sister Jackie served as director of adult religious education from 1986-1992.

"She was enormously successful in taking God's words to others. She had a natural intuition for message of Scripture. It flowed from her," said Father Rushofsky, recalling his days with Sister Jackie at St. Anne Parish in Castle Shannon.

More recently, Sister Jackie continued her service on the staff of St. Joseph Spirituality Center in Baden. She fell seriously ill in October and died of kidney failure on Friday at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden. She was 78.

"She was caring, warm, sensitive, bright," said Leo Clave Ketter, her brother. "I admired her as a nun and loved her as my sister and friend."

During her teaching career, she shared her faith and wisdom through lectures and workshops in adult religious education, retreats and days of reflection that she offered and classes she taught.

She also initiated and coordinated the Women of the Bible program in Pennsylvania in 1998.

"Since she was very much aware of the women's movement, she conceived the idea to begin the program to portray the roles of women as in the Bible," said Sister Francesca Lump, who worked with Sister Jackie in the program.

She said Sister Jackie also was a gifted speaker.

Although she was resolved in her pursuit to spread the word of God, Sister Jackie had a broad range of interests. She earned a bachelor of science degree in music education from Duquesne University and a master's of education in administration in 1962.

She taught for more than 20 years in the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Altoona-Johnstown and Greensburg.

She served as a principal and teacher at St. James School in Sewickley for eight years.

After obtaining a degree in theology in 1967 from Duquesne, Sister Jackie served as pastoral minister at St. Irenaeus Parish. She also served as director of religious education at St. Thomas More Parish in Bethel Park and St. Anne Parish in Castle Shannon.

Before ministering as catechumenate director at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Green Tree, from 1997-2004, she was adult education consultant for five years.

She is survived by her brother, of North Haven, Conn.

Father Rushofsky offered Mass of Christian burial yesterday.

Sister Jackie was to be interred at Sisters' Cemetery on the motherhouse grounds.

Donations may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Memorial Fund, St. Joseph Convent, 1020 State St., Baden, PA 15005.