Loretto Magazine – Winter 2025
Posted on March 10, 2025, by Loretto Community
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Loretto Spotlight Video – Loretto Leadership
A letter from President Buffy Boesen SL
As the newly-elected president of the Loretto Community, I invite you as you read this magazine to journey with us through this window into Loretto.
After a few months of being in this position, I am continually amazed by the wonderful service of our members. I experience our members embodying a spirit of blending contemplation with action in so many ways. I hope you find this to be true as you read the following pages.
Read the entire letter here.
St. Mary’s Academy celebrates 160 years
When the 699 students of St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) gathered for the school’s 160th birthday party in September, it was a joy-filled, high-energy celebration from drone cameras capturing students forming the number 160 to commemorative T-shirts, lively music and birthday cake. The 2024-2025 academic year is one of unending pride, and the birthday party was the first of many events honoring the past and propelling SMA into the future.
Read the story here.
Two Loretto-founded schools mark 100 years
Loretto members attend celebrations for Nerinx Hall High School in St. Louis and Loretto Catholic School in Douglas, Ariz.
Read the story here.
Leading into the future
On Sept. 15, the Loretto Community officially transitioned to newly-elected leadership in a ceremony held at the Motherhouse church. The ceremony’s significant moments included the welcoming of new leadership members and an expression of gratitude to outgoing members.
Read the story here.
Loretto Executive Committee 2024-2028: Serving Loretto and beyond
Read about the newly-elected Loretto Executive Committee members elected this past summer. You’ll learn about their backgrounds and interests.
Read the story here.
Meet Loretto members elected to serve on the Community Forum
Meet the four Loretto Community members elected to serve on the Forum.
Read the story here.
Art for the sake of justice and peace
Bob Strobridge CoL has designed and sewn bold, colorful banners for the Loretto Community for decades. The banners, often sharing messages of peace and justice or faith, have been carried in marches, displayed at Loretto events and assemblies and have helped to communicate widely the Community’s core values.
Read the story here.
Loretto Peace Committees act for the welfare of all
Loretto has had a Peace Committee working to end war and create a peace culture since the beginning of committee structures within the government we established in 1970. Members are appointed by the Community Forum to educate and represent the Community.
Read the story here.
Photo album: Loretto members tirelessly pursue justice and peace
We share photos of Loretto members showing up for justice and peace over many years.
Check out the photos here.
Ceciliana Skees SL celebrates 75 years in Loretto!
Ceciliana Skees SL is grateful for the opportunity she’s had to positively impact lives during her 75 years as a Sister of Loretto. She says, “I worked with very young people, very poor people, mostly in the West End of Louisville, Ky., and I helped them have a better life.”
Read the story here.
Justice Fellows live Loretto’s spirit of service
Ten Loretto Justice Fellows are currently serving with five placement organizations in the El Paso, Texas, community. During the fall 2024 semester, they contributed 2,500 hours of service to people experiencing food insecurity and/or homelessness, to people in detention centers or migrant shelters, to families in marginalized communities, and more.
Read the story here.
Loretto in Pakistan collaborates with parish boys’ school
Our local parish community recently initiated a collaborative effort with the Sisters of Loretto to support the parish boys’ school. The school serves more than 450 students with a team of 29 dedicated staff members. Located approximately 30 minutes from our residence, this school primarily educates the children of local factory workers.
Read the story here.
Memorials and Tributes of Honor: August 2024 — December 2024
Obituaries
Postscript
Honoring a legacy of pioneering spirit: The Ann Rhodes Legacy Circle
In 1812, Mother Ann Rhodes became the first superior of the Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross. Though her leadership lasted fewer than six months, Mother Ann’s pioneering spirit left an impact that would affect generations. It also created a legacy that has flourished for more than two centuries and made a tangible impact in the lives of thousands.
As one of the first religious communities founded in the United States, the sisters began educating children of their frontier settlement in Kentucky. By 1823 they ventured west, founding some of the first schools west of the Mississippi River and later establishing missions in China, South America and Pakistan. Today, Loretto’s pioneering legacy continues through social justice work on a global scale, educational ministries and the commitment of sisters and co-members to bring the healing presence of God into the world.
To honor this pioneering legacy, we are excited to announce the establishment of the Ann Rhodes Legacy Circle. Loretto has long been the beneficiary of many who have chosen to remember us in their estate planning. This special Circle is a way to recognize those commitments and allow our generous donors a convenient way to facilitate them. By designating a gift to Loretto in your will, trust or other planned-giving avenue, you can ensure that the Loretto Community will continue its vital work; your legacy will live on, carrying forward Loretto’s spirit and values.
Legacy gifts play a transformative role in sustaining Loretto’s ministries and supporting our sisters, as well as making a lasting impact. Just as Mother Ann Rhodes set the stage for an enduring legacy of service, your thoughtful planning helps Loretto to continue in its firm commitment to make the world a better place.
To learn more about the Ann Rhodes Legacy Circle and how you can join, contact our development office by phone (270) 431-0100, ext. 5102, or email us here. Together, let’s honor the pioneering spirit of Mother Ann Rhodes by supporting the work of the Loretto Community.
We are grateful for your support.
Virginia Nesmith
Development Director
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