A letter from President Buffy Boesen SL

As you will see in this issue of Loretto Magazine, Loretto’s work continues to be shaped by the goals we set in 2024: Care of the Sisters, Mission, Spirituality and Planning for the Future. We also celebrate the lives of Loretto Co-Members marking significant jubilees with 25 years of dedicated service.

When I think about the care of our Sisters, I am so grateful for Michelle Essex, administrator of the Loretto Living Center. Michelle has spent her entire working life at Loretto, as did her grandfather Paul and uncle Joey. She is a guiding light who leads the way in providing extraordinary care to our Sisters and others from the wider community. Staff member Chris Mattingly is among those who help us nurture our spiritual life at the Center. I look forward to sharing more about the variety of prayer forms we use to deepen our spiritual growth and build community.

As you may know, there are many mission and outreach activities that we create, take part in and sponsor. In this issue, we focus on several initiatives at the Motherhouse: the artist-in-residence program, the Heritage Center Quilt Show, a 5K run through the property, summer camp in the educational barn and the generous service of 11 high school juniors who gave their time and energy to help with painting, weeding, spreading mulch and more. In future issues we will share other wonderful ways we share our gifts and space with others.

While our goals are future oriented, we recognize the importance of reflecting on our history and the works of so many before us and the many who are still with us. Loretto Sister Anna Koop and her friend Jennifer Haines are among those who offered hospitality for more than 40 years to those experiencing homelessness in Denver. Both recently moved to the Motherhouse. The Santa Fe Opportunity School reminds us of our deeper past. These missions of the days gone by encourage us to continue working on our goals with renewed commitment.

Three Loretto Community members went to Oak Flat, Ariz., this summer to pray with the people of that area for a miracle to save their sacred mountain from destruction by a proposed copper mine on that very spot. They brought back a phrase from a prayer, “One of the longest journeys is from the brain to the heart.” It rang true to me. May God help us all on that journey as we strive to “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God” -Micah 6:8.

Blessings,
Buffy Boesen
President, Loretto Community

To read all of the articles in the fall 2025 issue click here.