Sister M. Michele Marth, MSC

Sister M. Michele Marth, MSC
(Anna Marie Marth)
1938 – 2012

Sister Michele’s first association with our MSC Sisters was through her aunt, Sister Armella, and it was from this relationship that she felt drawn to enter the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

For over thirty-five years, Sister Michele was involved in the teaching ministry.  She ministered in various schools in the dioceses of Allentown, PA, Chicago, Illinois, Jackson, Mississippi, and in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  She taught every grade from pre-school through eighth which also included three years in a Montessori school.  Sister Michele was creative in her teaching and was known for the plays and musicals she directed for her students.  She was a good teacher, well-beloved by parents and children alike.  Some of the parents even named their daughters after her.  Former students still came to visit her.

She was also involved in vocation ministry for three years. From 2000 to 2010, she worked in a variety of ministries:  office manager of MIVA in Washington, DC, an organization headed by the MSC Fathers to secure donated vehicles for mission countries; and Director of Development and Coordinator of Mission Appeals for the Propagation of the Faith for the US Province.  From 2001 through 2008, Sister Michele served as the contact person from our province to the Sacred Heart Communities in Collaboration.   As her health started to decline, she collected, cut, and sorted stamps to be sent to stamp collectors in exchange for money for the developing countries.

Sister Michele loved her vocation.  She loved community life and always put it before her personal desires.  She knew how to enjoy life and how to bring joy to others.  She was a great entertainer and could always be counted on to come up with a creative poem or song for every occasion.

The image of the lighthouse with light streaming from it was for her a symbol of God’s presence with us, guiding us through the storms and difficulties of life.  In the early hours of the morning, Sister Michele saw the beacon of light that led her to her God as He beckoned her to come and enter into the kingdom prepared for her for all eternity.