Celebration of Holy Cross sisters’ arrival in Utah in 1875

Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — The first Holy Cross sisters came to Utah in 1875, invited by Father Lawrence Scanlan, who became the first Bishop of Salt Lake City 12 years later.

Arriving by train in Salt Lake City, Sister Raymond (Mary) Sullivan and Sister Augusta (Amanda) Anderson immediately set to work, establishing Saint Mary’s Academy and Holy Cross Hospital. Other Holy Cross sisters followed them, and by 1880 they had established five schools and two hospitals in various parts of Utah, serving primarily miners, immigrants and their families.

Over the years, the Holy Cross Sisters established other schools and hospitals in Utah, from Ogden to Silver Reef. Today, the legacy of the Holy Cross Sisters in Utah continues with Holy Cross Ministries, as well as with the three Holy Cross sisters who are ministering in Utah: Sr. Celine Dounies, a  teacher at St. John the Baptist Middle School in Draper; Sr. Patrice McGee, who teaches kindergarten at Kearns St. Ann Catholic School in Salt Lake City, and Sr. Laura Guadalupe Tiburcio Santos, who offers social services work in the Midvale area.

“Their spirit of compassion continues today through Holy Cross Ministries, which provides health outreach, early childhood education, counseling and legal immigration services to thousands of families each year,” states the invitation to Fiesta 150, a fundraising event by Holy Cross Ministries that will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sisters’ arrival in Utah.

Speakers at the Oct. 4 event will be Holy Cross Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner, president of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, who will present “Voice of Hope and Justice;” and Utah Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla.

Sr. Wagner “is an immigration attorney who has dedicated her career to walking alongside immigrant families with compassion and justice,” states the invitation to Fiesta 150, adding that Escamilla is “a trailblazer for Latinas and immigrant communities whose leadership continues to open doors for families across the state.”

Sr. Sharlet and Sen. Escamilla “are courageous voices for the underserved and especially immigrant families, which is at the heart of Holy Cross Ministries’ mission,” said Citlali Jauregui, HCM’s communication specialist. “Sr. Sharlet reflects the faith and compassion that brought the Sisters of the Holy Cross to Utah 150 years ago. Sen. Escamilla shows how leadership and advocacy can open doors for immigrant families today. We felt that together they connect our past, present and future.”

“For 150 years, the Sisters of the Holy Cross have lived their mission of compassion here in Utah,” said Emmie Gardner, Holy Cross Ministries CEO in a press release inviting all the community to attend Fiesta 150. “At Holy Cross Ministries, we are humbled to carry that mission forward today – through our health, education, and justice programs – and Fiesta 150 is a chance for the whole community to celebrate and ensure this work continues for generations.”

The event “will bring the community together for an evening of food, an auction and celebration,” Jauregui said. “Fiesta 150 is more than a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of community and resilience. For generations, the Sisters of the Holy Cross stood beside Utah families in times of need, and Holy Cross Ministries continues that work today. This event is an opportunity to honor their legacy, celebrate the strength of the families we serve and ensure that support continues for years to come. We hope people leave the event inspired and proud to be part of a legacy of compassion.

Proceeds from the celebration will support Holy Cross Ministries’ programs, “ensuring the Sisters’ legacy of service endures for future generations,” Jauregui said.

 WHAT: Fiesta 150

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 4, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

WHERE: University of Utah Alumni House, 155 Central Campus Dr., Salt Lake City

COST: Individual: $195

Intermountain Catholic readers discounted price of  $150. Enter promo code IC150

Tickets are available at www.Fiesta150.com. 

For table and sponsorship information, contact Citlali Jauregui at cjauregui@hcmutah.org, or Andy Cier at 385-257-2425.