News

Joyce Martin, liturgist, dies in accident Dec. 25

KAUKAUNA -- Joyce Martin, liturgy and music coordinator at Holy Spirit Parish, Kimberly/Darboy, died Dec. 25 in a traffic accident.

Martin, a member of St. Mary Parish, Kaukauna, was commissioned in liturgy last May by Bishop David Zubik after completing the Commissioned Ministry Leadership Formation Program. At the time she was part-time music director at St. Patrick Parish in Menasha.

"They told us in the beginning it (the commissioned ministry formation program) was a journey," Martin told Compass correspondent Jaye Aldridge. "I see it more as a journey than a program. Certainly it enhances spiritual life.

"It's not just education, it's the spirituality of the program that is equally, if not more, important," she added. "Obviously, it's our faith, but again, in an equal manner, it's how we live our life, it's our devotion to God and recognizing the gifts and talents God gives to us and using them for his glory." [full article]

In the middle of the four-year program Martin decided to pursue a degree in theology at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc and was just nominated for "Who's Who" among students in American Universities and Colleges.

She was born April 19, 1947, in Frankfurt, Ill., to the late Charles and Ann (Shoda) Stewart. She married Cal Martin on June 16, 1973. They were involved in many social issues and inner-city programs through their parish. They also had many foster children over the years.

She also helped her husband with the Fox Valley Mission Group, which does volunteer construction projects at missions in Latin America and the United States.

She was a member of the charismatic renewal program and sang and performed with the Cross/Crown Prayer Group. She was active in prison ministry, the Fox Valley/North East Wisconsin Missions, and Cursillo.

Each fall, she hosted a pilgrimage with Msgr. John Dewane, former vicar general for the Green Bay Diocese. She was also a host for the CASS foreign exchange student program.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 31 at St. Mary Church in Kaukauna.