Farewell to Incarnate Word sisters

Intermountain Catholic

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Mele Ma'u (left) leads the responsorial psalm during the Mass of Thanksgiving, which was presided by Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald (center.) Inset photos are Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Sisters Margaret Collins (left) and Ignatia O'Driscoll (right).

SALT LAKE CITY —The sale of CHRISTUS Saint Joseph Villa to Ensign Group marks two turning points for the Diocese of Salt Lake City: the departure of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who came to Utah in 1947 to open the facility; and the closure of the last Catholic health-care facility in the diocese.

The villa, 451 E. Bishop Federal Lane, has about 300 beds and 60 independent living apartments, as well as the affiliated CHRISTUS Marian Center psychiatric center. It has been purchased by the California-based Ensign Group (see story, right.)

For 63 years 45 different Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word served at the villa; 35 others were at Kearns-Saint Ann School and in pastoral ministry, said Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, during his remarks at the Mass of Thanksgiving on Jan. 27. All of the sisters now have returned to their mother house in Texas.

These sisters made Jesus the Incarnate Word present, and charity real, through their ministry, Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "The Villa for many, many years led the way in providing quality care for the elderly, for the infirm, with the compassionate love of Jesus."

During his visits to villa residents through the years, he appreciated the Sisters of the Incarnate Word being "there at the bedside, all night, all day, praying the rosary, helping to escort these loved ones of ours into the gates of everlasting life," he said.

The sisters’ vows were evident in their lives, Msgr. Fitzgerald said, and they created an atmosphere of love, respect for all, and hope. "The sisters made the Villa a place where resurrection was the focus," he said. "A future life with God was the final destination for residents. Hearts and souls were just as important as physical well-being."

The sisters took very good care of the retired priests who lived at the villa, said Msgr. Robert Servatius, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy, adding that he’s heard the new administration plans to continue that care. "That’s a very great thing, because the priests who need that kind of care don’t have anywhere else to go," he said.

Of the Incarnate Word sisters who served at the villa, Sister Michele Curtin stands out in Msgr. Servatius’ memory for her sense of humor and her buoyant personality, he said. He recalled Sister Ambrose Naughton and Sister Thecla Mahoney because of their unselfish service. "There were giants in that community who have served the people here in Utah," he said. "They will be greatly missed."

The villa also holds many memories for Clara Brennen, whose mother died at the facility. Many years before that, however, Brennen "was one of the children from Judge Memorial who welcomed the sisters here," she said. "I hate to see our Catholic presence in a hospital setting leave. I hated it when Holy Cross left," she said, referring the hospital that closed in 1994.

Brennen was a graduate of Holy Cross School of Nursing, which closed in 1973. "It broke my heart then and it’s doing the same now," she said, adding that the care her mother received at the villa was wonderful. "Sister Thaddeus Quinlan was absolutely wonderful to my mother. I can’t say enough. I hope that these people who take it over are as God-fearing and loving," she said, her voice and eyes full of tears.

During the Mass of Thanksgiving, Msgr. Fitzgerald said that the sisters’ legacy continues. "The Lord taught us that we will receive in the measure which we have given to others so this day we give thanks to God for the 63 years of dedicated, loving service that we have received here by the graces of the Incarnate Word sisters," he said. "We pray for all of them, living and dead, that they might feel the power of our gratitude and of God’s goodness this day, and that all of those who have been here before us will receive the abundant blessings that they deserve because they have given so much, so generously," he said.