SALT LAKE CITY — On July 22, the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, patroness of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, parishioner Ron Freking was presented with the Madeleine Medal of Appreciation for Faithful Service.
The Madeleine Medal “is the highest award in the diocese,” said Father Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral.
The medal “honors one person or one married couple (any lay person, vowed religious, deacon, priest, or even non-Catholic) from a parish or diocesan institution who has exemplified faithful service to the parish or community over many years,” according to the application that is sent to the diocese to request the medal, which is available from the Office of the Vicar General.
The medal itself was designed specifically for the honor. It has an image of St. Mary Magdalene on one side and an image of the cathedral on the reverse, and comes with a chain and presentation box.
“Freking is one of the very finest men that I know,” said Michael Stransky, chairman of the Madeleine Arts and Humanities Council, who has known the medal recipient for more than 50 years. “He has been one of the most active members of the cathedral for the last 60 years; his service has been broad and extended.”
Among his ministries at the cathedral, Freking has served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, including “bringing the Eucharist for decades to people hospitalized at LDS Hospital every Sunday morning week after week, year after year, decade after decade. … He also, after going to LDS Hospital, visited people that are homebound on a weekly basis,” Stransky said.
In addition, Freking has been a lector for many decades, and continues in this ministry as well as leading the rosary after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, Stransky said.
“Ron also has led the Cathedral Diocesan Development Drive for decades; he is an active worker for the Good Samaritan program, the parish council, a longtime member for the First Friday adoration hour” and is “a loyal financial supporter of the cathedral,” Stransky added.
Freking has also been a volunteer “for virtual everything for his entire life here, and if you ever needed anything you just have to ask Ron,” he said.
Speaking about Freking’s generosity, Stransky said that, having grown up in a farm in Iowa, “he knows gardens. Ever since I can remember, he has shared his love for vegetables and fruit every week after the 8:30 Mass; he has given [fruits and vegetables] for decades.”
He then listed some of the other man’s attributes: “Ron is humble, Ron is kind, unassuming, gracious, generous, faithful, honorable, selfless, caring, prayerful, sensitive and virtuous – and I could go on and on,” Stransky said. “This award is something that is well overdue and extremely well deserved. So, Ron, on behalf of all of us at the Cathedral at the Madeleine, thank you for all you do for the Cathedral of the Madeleine.”
Bishop Oscar A. Solis, who presided at the Mass for the feast day, presented the medal to Freking, congratulating him and thanking him for his faithful service.
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