Holy Cross Sister Genevra Rolf celebrates 80th birthday

Friday, Mar. 20, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Holy Cross Sister Genevra Rolf received many warm wishes and words of praise during her 80th birthday celebration held at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish March 10. Sr. Genevra is the Utah Catholic schools associate superintendent.

As associate superintendent, Sr. Genevra meets with advancements directors monthly and that “is something she enjoys doing,” said Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, Utah Catholic Schools superintendent. “The worst thing she does is keep track of all the plans for the schools that have asbestos.” 

Sr. Genevra began teaching in 1956; 11 years later she became a principal, then became the superintendent for four years before being elected to the Holy Cross order’s general leadership. Five years later, she returned to the Diocese of Salt Lake City as the associate superintendent. 

Sr. Genevra is known for her sense of humor and her storytelling, said Sr. Cathy. “I told her she has to write a book of all of her stories; she has many favorites. Today is a wonderful memory of celebrating with Genevra and 80 is just the beginning of a good life.”  

Joanna Wheelton, president of Saint Joseph Catholic Schools, worked with Sr. Genevra for seven years and said, “I cannot tell you of a finer advancement professional, leader and mentor; Sr. Genevra has guided us and advocated for advancement, she is a diplomat and a force to be reckoned with and she is truly an amazing person. She has mentored so many professionals and really directed their lives in a wonderful way, and we are so excited to celebrate her.”

Sr. Genevra “is a wonderful mentor,” agreed Patrick Lambert, Saint Joseph Catholic High School principal. “What a vibrant person she is; she re-energizes us whenever we need help or advice.”

“Sr. Genevra is a wonderful example of someone totally committed to the mission of the Church; there is no one more generous with their time or talents that I know of than her,” said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general. 

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, has known Sr. Genevra for many years. “We have worked together and we are friends, and I have never found a person more consistently committed to the mission,” he said. “In every assignment Sr. Genevra has had, she dedicates herself totally. She is so good in dealing with other people, in embracing them and welcoming them into our community. She does not do things by herself, she makes sure other people are affirmed and receive admiration for their part. Her contributions as a religious woman in the State of Utah have certainly been outstanding.” 

Father Ken Vialpando, pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Ogden, said Sr. Genevra was his neighbor when he was ordained in 1991, and since then she has been “nothing but hospitable, friendly and supportive of my ministry,” he said during an interview. He added a message to her: “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and your ministry; may God bless you and your family for all the good you have done for our diocese.”  

“When I met Sr. Genevra, she was the superintendent [of Utah Catholic schools] when I was the advancement director at Judge Memorial about 20 years ago, and development was brand new to this diocese; she was the age that I am now, and I think ‘How can I keep going that much longer?’” said Molly Dumas, Juan Diego Catholic High School director of advancement and public information officer. “Her dedication to very hard work in development has been remarkable. I am so grateful to have had her as a mentor all these years.” 

“It was Sr. Genevra who gave me a very welcoming feeling when I went to the advancement meetings,” said Lydia Green Kearns-Saint Ann School advancement director. “She is a very sincere, compassionate person.”

Sr. Genevra is a “true visionary in Catholic school education, particularly for her longstanding and trailblazing efforts to position the Catholic schools for success by her focus on development, the endowments and fundraising, and positioning the schools to be strong financially; she truly made our school system one of the best in the country,” said Kathleen Leonard, a former Our Lady of Lourdes School advancement director. 

“Sr. Genevra, we wish you the very best birthday,” said Sandy Ketchum, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish secretary. “We appreciate so much what you do and seeing you on weekends at Mass.”