How We Spent Our Summer Vacation
Posted on September 1, 2017, by Loretto Community

Students from Loretto-sponsored high schools spend time at the Motherhouse with campers, who proudly display their tie-dyed handkerchiefs. Shown are Grace Daugherty and Zellie Laury of Nerinx, Macey Hayden and Annie Hoogerwerf of St. Mary’s Academy and Sophia Almanzan and Sophia Cortez of Loretto Academy.
(Photo by Peg Jacobs)
By Sofia Almanzan and Sofia Cortez, Loretto Academy students, El Paso

Antoinette Doyle, at far left, speaks with a group of high school students visiting the Motherhouse, including from left, Amy Passananti of Nerinx, Annie Hoogerwerf, Lily Loftus and Macey Hayden of St. Mary’s Academy, and Brianna Chandler and Grace Daugherty of Nerinx.
(Photo by Peg Jacobs)
The teachers were very kind and genuine people. One of the best parts of our day was reflection time and getting to tell the teachers the highlights of our day. The teachers kept telling us that they were proud of us and encouraged us to keep giving all of ourselves to the people around us. They kept telling us that we were incredible kids, and that is a remarkable feeling. One of the teachers wore a T-shirt that said, “empowered women empower women”; this shirt was very true, and we saw it throughout the week. One of the coordinators was a Loretto Volunteer. She explained to us that these groups of people live in different cities and work for non-profit groups after college. This program is something that we all now will consider doing because we have grown fond of the Loretto Community and all it does.
The girls were extremely sweet people. They made us feel a part of a group that was actually making a difference. They were very open and accepting people. They were always happy and constantly cracking smiles on our faces. We cannot explain how great it felt to feel so welcome and loved. The campers reminded us of what it was like to be a kid and how genuinely happy we would get over the simplest of things. It was extremely saddening to have to see them go back to the rough lives they lead, but we were grateful that we were able to make even one of those kid’s day.

From left are Jessie Rathburn, Susan Classen, Loretto Academy teacher Diana Meraz, Nerinx student Amy Passananti, Loretto Academy student Andrea Hernandez and St. Mary’s Academy student Maddie Wilten at the Loretto Motherhouse.
(Photo by Peg Jacobs)
All of these sisters have had a huge impact on the world around them and have led astounding lives. These sisters have taught us to be kind but to never stop fighting for the people who need it, to never stop helping people and to have fun in the process. All of these virtues are instilled in the Loretto Community as a whole. The Sisters of Loretto were founded in 1812. Throughout the 205 years that the Sisters of Loretto have existed all members of this amazing Community have devoted their lives to helping others and speaking out for what’s right.

From left are Brianna Chandler of Nerinx, Vianney Ruiz of Loretto Academy, Lily Loftus of St. Mary’s Academy and St. Mary’s Academy teacher Celia Bard with their freshly painted bench at the Motherhouse.
(Photo by Peg Jacobs)