Working for justice and acting for peace since 1812

The Loretto Community

We are the Congregation of the Sisters of Loretto and Loretto Co-members. We work for justice and act for peace because the Gospel urges us.

Welcoming the stranger has been a hallmark of Loretto from the beginning and is more important than ever. This week we highlight some of the many ways Loretto hospitality is expressed.

Living our mission

Our priority concerns are immigration justice, care for Earth and the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Loretto Community members work for justice and act for peace in the United States, at the United Nations and around the world, including in education, healthcare, spiritual accompaniment, the empowerment of women, environmental stewardship, anti-discrimination, land acknowledgement and advocacy.

How We Serve for Home Page
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Global Loretto

We serve throughout the United States, in addition to our missions and partnerships in Pakistan, Ghana and Guatemala.

Loretto on Facebook

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Sister Helen Santamaria is well known for her hospitality efforts in El Paso, Texas! She founded the nonprofit Villa Maria in 2007 for women experiencing homelessness. Villa Maria offers a serene and comfortable living environment for 22 women. It is a safe space for women to reorganize their lives and get the support they need. Sister Helen shares that Villa Maria is different from other shelters because “Women hardly ever have time just for themselves, so this is a gift to come to Villa Maria where you can just focus on you and get attention. You have a bedroom and bathroom all to yourself.”

Villa Maria is the only El Paso shelter that focuses solely on single women’s rehabilitation. More than 2,000 women experiencing homelessness have been supported through Villa Maria’s programs. Thank you to the incredible staff at Villa Maria, to all the Loretto members and friends who have served there throughout the years, and especially, to Sister Helen for her leadership and tirelessness when it comes to service and hospitality.

#LorettoHospitality
www.lorettocommunity.org/hospitality-a-hallmark-of-lorettos-life-in-community-since-1812/
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Sister Helen Santamaria is well known for her hospitality efforts in El Paso, Texas! She founded the nonprofit Villa Maria in 2007 for women experiencing homelessness. Villa Maria offers a serene and comfortable living environment for 22 women. It is a safe space for women to reorganize their lives and get the support they need. Sister Helen shares that Villa Maria is different from other shelters because “Women hardly ever have time just for themselves, so this is a gift to come to Villa Maria where you can just focus on you and get attention. You have a bedroom and bathroom all to yourself.”

Villa Maria is the only El Paso shelter that focuses solely on single women’s rehabilitation. More than 2,000 women experiencing homelessness have been supported through Villa Maria’s programs. Thank you to the incredible staff at Villa Maria, to all the Loretto members and friends who have served there throughout the years, and especially, to Sister Helen for her leadership and tirelessness when it comes to service and hospitality. 

#LorettoHospitality 
https://www.lorettocommunity.org/hospitality-a-hallmark-of-lorettos-life-in-community-since-1812/

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Many alumnae of Nerinx Hall love her as well!

God bless Sister Helen … living the gospel!

Many blessings to you Sister Helen! ❤️

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Loretto welcomes you.

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