Two Holy Cross Sisters retiring and leaving Salt Lake diocese

Intermountain Catholic

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Holy Cross Sisters Miriam Joanne Frankenfield and Martha Ann Norwood (standing, l-r) were honored at a reception June 15. Both sisters are retiring. IC photo/Christine Young

TAYLORSVILLE — Holy Cross Sisters Miriam Joanne Frankenfield and Martha Ann Norwood said "goodbye" to the Saint Martin de Porres Parish community during a farewell reception June 15. 

"On this special occasion we honor these spiritual and holy women," said Father Jan Bednarz, St. Martin de Porres pastor. "The sisters showed the presence of Jesus to the parish; the Jesus of joy, hope and love and the Gospel. The sisters were always willing to serve."

Sr. Martha Ann will return to St. Mary Monastery in Indiana in July, while Sr. Miriam Joanne will leave in July for Saint Catherine by the Sea Convent in Ventura, Calif.

"Sr. Miriam Joanne wants to walk on the beach with the other sisters, while I want to hear the Notre Dame football games," said Sr. Martha Ann.

The sisters have served St. Martin de Porres Parish for the past 15 years. Sr. Miriam Joanne was a nurse and Sr. Martha Ann was a teacher.

"You are special to me and you are a worshiping community," said Sr. Martha Ann, at the closing of Mass. "You come to Mass to be in the presence of Jesus Christ and to share in his spirit, and it is that spirit that I have felt all these years. You have accepted me, you have offered me friendship and support, and enabled me to serve this parish. I am most gracious."

Sr. Miriam Joanne agreed with all of the emotions, and added, "It is very hard for us to say ‘goodbye.’ Thank you for being our community and for being good friends; we will keep one another in prayer.

"Going back to Ventura will be like going home because I have lived with half of the 26 sisters who live there," Sr. Miriam Joanne said. "I’m looking forward to having time for the Lord and me. I’ve loved doing nursing, and making a lot of wonderful friends. St. Martin’s has been special because we have been here since we moved into the area."

Among those at the reception was Lucy Lewis, a Saints Peter and Paul parishioner, who said, "Sr. Miriam saved my life one day after taking my blood pressure. She told me to go home and rest because I was facing a heart attack."

Lynn Adams, a St. Martin de Porres parishioner, said Sr. Martha Ann made sure he had donuts at the church every Sunday, while Sr. Miriam Joanne always smiled and had a sunny personality; "she really enjoyed the parish, especially the children," he said.

Nancy and Gerald Barber, members of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, are appreciative of Sr. Miriam Joanne visiting Nancy’s father before he passed away.

"She would visit a couple of times a week and helped us get through his illness, and we have been friends ever since," said Nancy Barber. "Afterward she continued to visit my mother, Rachel Kunkelborg, and they became good friends."

Maurie Mahon, a St. Martin de Porres parishioner, was raised in South Bend, Ind., and knew Holy Cross brothers and sisters in Catholic school.

"The sisters are everything to me," he said. "We had them over for dinner and they became family to us. I am truly going to miss them; there aren’t words to say how much we appreciate and love them. They are fantastic women with a beautiful sense of humor; always positive and upbeat."

Betty Yanni and Merlene Wilson, St. Martin de Porres parishioners, were in Sr. Martha’s Bible Study class.

"She made the Bible come alive," said Wilson. "She just had a very special way of teaching, and it wasn’t elementary either. We had a good time."

"She was delightful and very helpful," added Yanni. "We’re going to miss them."