WASHINGTON (CNS) — St. Joseph Sister Catherine Pinkerton of Cleveland is not usually one to seek the spotlight, but she will take center stage at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 27 when she gives the benediction to close the party’s third day of business. Sister Catherine, 86, a lobbyist for Network, a national Catholic social justice lobby, will close the convention on the night that Sen. Barack Obama is expected to formally become the party’s nominee for president. The invitation to lead the prayer came as a surprise to the veteran lobbyist, who has become a well-known figure on Capitol Hill during her 24 years with Network. She said she accepted only after informing her congregation’s leadership of the invitation. “I didn’t know if I wanted to do that or not,” she told Catholic News Service Aug. 20. “I thought, ‘What have I got to lose?’ It’s my right to do that as an American citizen.” Regina Sullivan, the director of communications for the Congregation of St. Joseph, said the congregation has told callers that Sister Catherine is taking the stage as an individual, not as a representative of the order.