Judge students honor the Holy Cross Sisters' legacy

Intermountain Catholic

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Members of the Sisters of the Holy Cross (right) were honored by Judge Memorial Catholic High School students for their congregation's involvement in starting the school and for the work the sisters do throughout the world. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — Judge Memorial Catholic High School students honored the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross at a Mass Sept. 6 concelebrated by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City; Dominican Father Dominic Briese, Judge Memorial chaplain and religion teacher; and Monsignor Joseph Mayo, rector and pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, who is also a Judge Memorial graduate, Class of 1965.

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross was responsible for starting Judge Memorial in 1920 when the Judge family decided to turn the building from a miner’s hospital into a school. During the Sept. 6 celebration, each sister who served at the school was recognized by name during the ceremony; the sisters currently serving in Utah were honored as well.

On Sept. 6, Judge Memorial peer ministers and members of the campus ministry department led students and teachers in their appreciation of the sisters’ contributions past and present to the Catholic Church throughout the world and, in Utah, through Holy Cross Ministries and in Utah Catholic schools.

"This is a nice occasion for us because it honors the women on whose shoulders we stand; the women who were the pioneers here," said Holy Cross Sister Genevra Rolf, associate superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools. "It’s very nice of Judge Memorial to do this for us."

Holy Cross Sister Mary Ann Pajakowski, Director of Education for Holy Cross Ministries, was struck by the display of memorabilia depicting all of the sisters who have served in Utah, she said. "What a great heritage it is to see the list of sisters that served at Judge. It’s nice to celebrate who we are and to carry on the tradition to this day."

In his homily, Bishop Wester said the Sisters of the Holy Cross remind us of the love of God. "The sisters are living reminders, living symbols of the presence of Christ in our midst and of God’s love," he said. "You sisters have been faithful day in and day out to your Gospel call to follow Christ. Your example inspires us and reminds us of how much we are loved and how much we are called to love."

In the long tradition of the Catholic Church, the charism of religious life has in many ways been the seedbed of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Wester said.

"Charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit that is the basis of who we are, and we are Judge Memorial Catholic High School because of the Holy Cross Sisters," said Rick Bartman, Judge Memorial principal, as he thanked the sisters. "You are true models of Christ working with the poor, the sick and kids."

Judge Memorial senior Marshal Wallace, a student council member, said he was happy to honor the sisters. "It’s important to value what the sisters have done. It’s really good to be able to put a face to the history we’ve always heard; it makes it more tangible," he said. "The wonderful education and experiences we’ve had were started by them."

Senior Lexie Humphrey, a peer ministry member, said seeing the sisters in person is more educational than seeing old photos and hearing stories. "It helps you engage more in the Church," she said.

Louie Franciose, senior class president and peer ministry member, said it was great to celebrate the sisters because Catholic students were allowed to have Catholic schools in Utah as a result of them.

Claire Brennan attended Judge Memorial 60 years ago and remembers when part of the school was the sisters’ convent. "I thank the sisters’ for my faith," she said at the Sept. 6 celebration.