A Letter from President Buffy Boesen SL

Dear Reader,

I have a small poster in my house that reads, “Take time to wonder, to give thanks and to praise!” As I walk into 2026 with you, I wonder about so many things.

I wonder what our world would look like without war, strife, poverty and so much suffering. Am I doing enough to help create a more peaceful, sane and caring world — both individually and communally? Still, I give thanks and praise for the small gains we see as we work toward a world where people are cared for and have what they need.

I also wonder about our Loretto life together. I wonder where we would be without these 214 years of history and what the world would be like had we not been given the wonderful opportunities to share our lives in service and praise of God.

After Vatican II, we took on ministries we had not traditionally done. Many continued to teach, and others began to work with the other compelling needs we saw around us. One of those paths was the Bridge Community in Denver. I wonder what life would have been like for those young women had they not been able to grow old within the Bridge Community? These women, with differing degrees of physical, emotional and mental needs, have been nurtured, loved and enabled to flourish through the vision and dedication of Sister Mary Catherine Widger and many others. I think of all the Sisters, Co-Members and friends who have walked with this community. I give thanks and praise for this true bridge. I wonder what part of our own lives would be missing had the Bridge Community not been part of Loretto? I know that my life is enriched by this steady, quiet, peaceful and life-giving work.

I also wonder what life would be like without the work of our archivists and historians. Over time, they have helped us see the areas where we have succeeded and the areas where we fell short. The work we do together is guided by the gifts we have been given and by how we have responded to and used those gifts. Sister Eleanor Craig and others called us to recognize our role in the enslavement of individuals of African descent more than 200 years ago. I wonder if there are other areas in our more recent history where we are called to make atonement.

I wonder what my life — and the lives of so many of us — would have been like had we not been given the opportunity to continue our ministry of education in our schools. I am always heartened when I meet an alum from one of our schools and have a chance to catch up. I am also heartened by the notes of appreciation we receive from so many who were once our students. Their memories of so many Sisters cheer me. One day around Christmas, I noticed that gifts to Loretto had been made in memory of and in honor of many Sisters of Loretto. What an impact these, and thousands of other Sisters of Loretto, have made on us all.

I wonder how our world would look if we, as a Community and as individuals, had not been called to be members of Loretto? I wonder where we would be without our faith-
ful friends, families and supporters? “We give you glory thanks and praise. Oh, bless our works and guide our ways.”

God bless each of you in 2026.

Sr. Mary E. (Buffy )Boesen SL, President of Loretto

Read all articles in the winter 2026 issue of Loretto Magazine here.