Loretto, Catholic Worker share common spirit, activism

For many years, members of the Loretto Community have served in roles that closely aligned with the mission and daily work of those affiliated with the Catholic Worker. The Loretto spirit and Catholic Worker activism have long overlapped, with Loretto members contributing to such communities as those in New York, Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis and Denver. It was in the Mile High City where Loretto most recently had been serving for nearly a half century.

Jane Peckham Stoever, a former Sister of Loretto and longtime presence at Holy Family Catholic Worker House in Kansas City, once summed up this tight bond best when she remarked, “The influence of Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker, and the Loretto spirit, are a heady mix.”

In recognition of this enduring relationship, Loretto’s social media this week will highlight the Catholic Worker House in Denver. Loretto Sister Anna Koop helped found the Denver community in 1978 and was soon joined by Loretto friend Jennifer Haines. The Denver community embodied “love in action” for more than four decades, offering food, hospitality and shelter to those in need. In 2024-2025, the Denver Catholic Worker community closed and merged with Angelica House, ensuring continuing hospitality and support for Catholic Worker’s guests in Denver.