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Martha Alderson CoL

Martha Alderson has been a Loretto Co-member since 1984. She is retired from the publishing industry and more recently from being on the Loretto Community staff as coordinator of co-membership services. She served one term on the first Community Forum. For several years she was an editor and layout person for Interchange (Loretto's internal newsletter) and now edits two issues of that newsletter. At the present she is on the Special Needs Committee and the Motherhouse Coordinating Board. She does the occasional proofreading and editing of Loretto publications.
Home » Archives for Martha Alderson CoL

Living in an Expanded World

By Martha Alderson CoL / August 21, 2024 /
A clear lake reflecting the slightly cloudy but bright blue sky above. Large green trees and a hill with a Mary statue at the bottom are reflected in the water as well.

Sometimes we underestimate the value of reaching out beyond ourselves, whether on a personal level or on a community level. We like the comfort of an intimate space where we…

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Motherhouse welcomes Father Michael Lapsley of South Africa

By Martha Alderson CoL / June 1, 2024 /
A priest smiling for a picture while standing in front of a table on stage at church.

The late Loretto sister Mary Peter Bruce brought Michael Lapsley to us. Years ago, Mary Peter, along with Connie Newton, met Michael at a religious meeting in Quito, Ecuador, where…

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Loretto involvement in Louisville’s West End

By Martha Alderson CoL / February 1, 2024 /
8 women standing above, smiling, and looking down at a camera facing the sky underneath a big tree.

On a rainy Saturday in October, a small group of Loretto members headed to Louisville for a meeting with members of the West End Louisville Women’s Collaborative. There was no…

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Loretto gathers

By Martha Alderson CoL / November 1, 2023 /
A woman with short white hair and glasses speaking to the camera while sitting in her office. Behind her is a strategically placed banner that is fully visible in the frame. Assumably relating to the online meeting she is attending when photographed.

In these screenshots from the October Gathering above Kim Klein, Sally Dunne, and Sue Kenney help guide the proceedings. “A Lasting Endowment of Hope” was the theme of the 2023…

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Conservation easement now a reality

By Martha Alderson CoL / March 1, 2023 /
A woman sitting down signing paperwork as another women watches over. They're surrounded by beautiful scenery photography and individuals sitting behind them.

“For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies, For the love which from our birth over and around us lies.” The singing of this hymn began…

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The Gift of Trees at the Motherhouse

By Martha Alderson CoL / May 13, 2021 /
Dawn redwood tree leafing out

By Martha Alderson (for the Farm and Land Committee of the Motherhouse Coordinating Board with information from Susan Classen) ‘So much is unfolding that must complete its gesture.‘So much is…

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Remembrance of the Life of John Moskeland CoL

By Martha Alderson CoL / May 1, 2021 /
A man with short dark grey hair and round wire-framed glasses wearing a green and white plaid collared button-up shirt and a navy blue sweater smiling brightly for a headshot picture outdoors with a bright greenery background.

John Bromley Moskeland was surely the nicest, kindest man we ever knew. Most of us knew John first as Lillian’s husband and Mary Peter Bruce’s brother-in-law. He was quick to…

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The Gift of Trees at the Motherhouse

By Martha Alderson CoL / May 1, 2021 /
A leafless dawn redwood tree planted in a pile of mulch on a grassy field next to a still body of water on a sunny day with a blue sky.

‘So much is unfolding that must complete its gesture. ‘So much is in bud.’– Denise Levertov The last lines from this poem, “Beginners” by Denise Levertov, tell of possibility and…

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Remembrance of the Life of Barbara Light CoL

By Martha Alderson CoL / October 15, 2020 /
A woman with short grey hair and glasses wearing a bright blue collared blouse and blue bead dangly earrings smiling brightly for a headshot picture next to a window indoors displaying the sunny day.

“What a kind and generous person!” That is the most frequent description of Barb Light. She was always present when needed, agreeable to do anything to help —transportation to and…

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Cecily Jones: a poet for today

By Martha Alderson CoL / June 12, 2020 /
A woman with short, grey hair, smiling for a picture while sitting in a lawn chair outdoors in autumn. She is wearing a dark blue striped sweater.

The Porch of Possibility, Vol. II, by Cecily Jones SL (1924–2017), is available for purchase. The book, published in 2018, includes 33 poems, most com-posed after Vol. I was published…

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Mary Ann McGivern Retires — Not So Fast!

By Martha Alderson CoL / November 1, 2019 /
A woman with short brown hair, wearing a pink blouse with a yellow sticker on it, smiling for a headshot picture indoors.

Interchange never sleeps.” This was always Mary Ann McGivern’s motto as an Interchange editor. Many Loretto members heard that statement from Mary Ann, along with, “Why don’t you write it…

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Donna Doyle Chats About Her 25 Years as a Loretto Co-member

By Martha Alderson CoL / October 1, 2019 /
A woman, Donna Doyle, with short grey hair pulled back and dark-framed glasses wearing a plaid grey suit with a bright red bowtie. She is smiling for a picture at an indoor social event.

(Editor’s Note: Material obtained from telephone conversation between Martha Alderson and Donna Doyle) Born in Mobile, Ala., Donna Doyle still has Mobile in her speech pattern after all these years.…

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