Loretto Community

6 days ago

Happy 65th Jubilee to Loretto Sister Sylvia Sedillo SL!

“I purposely did not want to have and did not allow myself to have preconceived ideas of what belonging to a religious congregation like Loretto would be. I had been the Prefect of Our Lady’s Sodality in the 8th grade and cheerleader in high school — two juxtaposed experiences in my youth.

“Some of my friends knew me to be a social butterfly — I loved to date a variety of boys, loved ballroom dancing, mostly the jitterbug at sockhops and at fancier dances in high school and college such as the homecoming and proms.

“A young man, trying to discourage me from going to the convent, asked me if I had seen the movie that was currently showing, “The Nun's Story.” I wanted to find out for myself if it was truly what I was feeling that I wanted to do.

“Since I had no preconceived idea of what religious life was, each day was a surprise — mostly good and only God's grace pulled me along. I can honestly say that I would not trade this life for any other. I realize that our loving God was present in all my decisions.

“Being in administrative missions brought out my leadership skills. I did not care much for teaching but I wanted to be a Sister of Loretto, and since I was in the pre-first grade I have loved and been a part of the Sisters of Loretto.

“When we were able to choose our mission experiences, all were not Loretto sponsored, but Loretto supported. The one I learned most from and used all my gifts was being a home care provider for my sister Janis, who has Down syndrome.

“The aspects of belonging to Loretto have been the challenge of being made aware of social problems of the world, e.g. racism, poverty and injustice. I have been made aware of the value of feminism, inter-faith relationships, actions for peace and justice, love for the earth and all of creation and loving persons for who they are and not for what they do.

“I appreciate the diversity in our Community and its spirit of joy and freedom. I love its unity, its commitment to mission and love for God who made Heaven and Earth and its seeking God through this world, and I look forward to a promise of something more.

“Here I am God, I come to do your will.” – Psalm 40:7

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Loretto Community

1 week ago

Happy 65th Jubilee to Loretto Sister Barbara Nicholas SL!

Looking back at your life in Loretto, was joining the Congregation what you thought it would be? Tell us how your answer came to be realized.

“In 1960, I turned 18 on Aug. 11 and entered Loretto as a Postulant on Sept. 15. I had no idea what life in the Congregation meant or would come to mean. I knew only that the Sisters who taught me at Loretto High School in Louisville were smart, friendly, kind, interested in us. They seemed to like each other as they stood around talking and laughing. I guess I wanted to be like them. I had an experience that I’ve always remembered as a call to become a Sister of Loretto rather than to go to nursing school as had been my plan. These many years later, I hope and believe it all turned out as it was meant to be.

As you reflect on your various mission experiences, which one brought out your gifts? Tell us why you chose that one and what gifts you used.

“When I was doing my assigned three days of student teaching in the second-grade-classroom at the College School at Webster, I knew that I was not a classroom teacher. The class was to be about measuring. Each student had a container with water and a ruler. I asked the class to measure the level of the water. A child asked: Do we use the big inches or the little inches? What a great question and a clear indication that I had not thought through the assignment as a real teacher would. I responded that they could use either but to tell me which they used. Later, gifted by Helen Sanders to pick a school and to study nursing, I believe I entered my life’s work. I often experienced that interpreting medical information was in fact, ‘teaching.’ I believe that I was good at that.”

What aspects of belonging to Loretto have meant the most to you?

“When I first heard someone say that wherever one Sister of Loretto is, there we all are, I think I gulped. What a concept of community. I know that as I worked all those years within the Baptist healthcare system, I was always mindful that while I was working there as a nurse, I was being there as Loretto. The experience of community is most profound for me.”

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Loretto Community

1 week ago

Happy 65th Jubilee to Loretto Sister Anndavid Naeger SL!

Sister Anndavid shares the following reflection, “How could I have ever imagined a life of prayer, silence, rules and service which was offered by the Sisters of Loretto? A life (in my beginning days) in a special dress (habit), a rural location, a unique code of conduct, a very different living situation and a constant effort to live a life built on three lifelong commitments of vows of poverty, chastity and obedience?

“When I was missioned to El Paso, where I spent most of my life teaching in four of our five schools: Guardian Angel, Sacred Heart, St. Patrick and Loretto Academy High School, I was introduced to the desert climate, different food, a new culture and language. Living in a very large Community (100+) of Sisters of Loretto was a learning experience, as I adapted to so many different personalities, talents, mannerisms, etc. I cherish all my days as a Sister of Loretto as I continue to be faithful to my vows and Community. I have known some truly remarkable women religious, have been accepted, loved and forgiven by them. They have helped me realize that all my days have been pure gift.”

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Loretto Community

1 week ago

Happy 65th Jubilee to Loretto Sister Pat Joyce SL!

Sister Pat responded to the following questions about her years in Loretto.

Looking back at your life in Loretto, was joining the Congregation what you thought it would be? Tell us how your answer came to be realized.

“Yes it was what I thought it would be. All during my time at the novitiate, it was like what I saw among the sisters who taught me and my experiences with those sisters. So yes, I knew what I was getting into. As far back as I remember, even as a kid I always wanted to be a teacher, it was just natural to be connected with an order that was a teaching order at that time.”

As you reflect on your various mission experiences, which one brought out your gifts? Tell us why you chose that one and what gifts you used.

"My first mission was to be at Loretto elementary school in El Paso and I taught first grade. I always believed that if a child didn’t fit the system, there was something wrong with the system, and my job as a teacher was to find out/create a system that somehow this child/children could continue to learn.

"That was in those days when learning disabilities was first coming in as an idea and growing into its own and people started realizing that, adapting, changing, etc. I started out the gate that way. All I can say is, it’s some innate instinct in me that just knew, it wasn’t the kids fault if they were failing my class.

"Sister Pat worked in grades 1-3, and worked at the El Paso Archdiocese training teachers to teach catechism classes in their parishes. For a while she also taught religion in middle school part-time and was the resident beautician part time in the convent. Then she worked at the high school library. Most of her time was spent at Loretto Academy in El Paso, and she never had a feeling she was supposed to go someplace else.

"When she retired from teaching she got into art and went back to school to train in specific art modalities. “That is one of the things I found I had talents I never knew I had. It was with encouragement from the sisters, and my own initiative, and my own desire to explore this whole new world that opened up after my second heart attack. And I spent most of my retirement doing that.”

What aspects of belonging to Loretto have meant the most to you?

“The aspect of belonging to something bigger than myself definitely has meant a great deal. The whole Community aspect, you know somebody has got your back and you got somebody else's back. You belong to something bigger than yourself, the group you belong to respects and fosters and encourages how the spirit is working through you as well as you keeping the main mission of the community in mind. The friendships over the years, the closeness, the people you can count on.”

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Loretto Community

1 week ago

Happy 65th Jubilee to Loretto Sister Carole Eschen SL!

Sister Carole shares, “Joining Loretto was a just-right decision made at a very young age that has supported and inspired me through my life and into my older years. I went to Nerinx Hall High School in St. Louis and was blessed by terrific teachers, most of whom were Sisters of Loretto. I was impressed by their kindness and joyful demeanor. Since I had wanted to be a teacher from a very young age, a life of service in Loretto seemed possible. I had no real idea what to expect and there were some surprises but the Spirit kept me going. I am grateful that all my experiences have helped me become the person I am today.

“As the Community changed over time, I was also growing and changing, supported and challenged by some truly remarkable women. To be on a lifelong journey with them has been a blessing.

“The mission I spent most of my active years in was education. I was a teacher for 53 years, and I am still an educator in a less formal role in my retirement. I worked with middle-school students in the areas of math and science. I also taught biology to high school students. I was a creative teacher, and I feel that my enthusiasm and love of learning was a gift that I brought to my students. I learned from them and enjoyed helping them grow and develop their own talents.

“The aspect of Loretto that’s meant the most to me is belonging to a group larger than myself which is dedicated to peace and justice that is rooted in spirituality. I have many opportunities and challenges.

“That gives me the chance to serve even in retirement. My spiritual life has been expanded and strengthened by those vowed members and co-members on this journey with me.”

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