Reflection on Legacy

Editor’s note: In July and August the Loretto Community participated by Zoom in sessions reviewing over 100 Community responses to these questions: What is Loretto’s legacy? Why does it matter to you? What people would benefit? The Community Forum provided a statement that was the theme of the sessions accompanied by direct quotations from the Community and beautiful images of seeds growing.

“The seeds we have planted will continue to bear fruit as our lasting endowment of hope.”

The effort of focusing on our Loretto legacy began when our leaders asked Community members to submit descriptions of our legacy. Those submissions were gathered and placed in focus during summer conversations as we attempted to flesh out a common understanding of our Loretto legacy. Under the headings of spirituality, mission, community and collaboration, we discussed those values that we want to be our endowment of hope.

In some ways, our legacy is in the eye of the beholder. The challenge is to let go of one’s assumptions and dreams, to deepen one’s understanding of a future presence to which we have been and are being called.

Throughout this continued commitment to speak with one another, we are best served by truth, balance and honesty. Ours is a grace-filled time of hope about our Pakistan mission, stewardship of our land, Loretto Link collaboration and new forms of membership, to name just a few.

Perhaps, as we search, we are creating a new legacy: facing our Loretto history as slaveholders and collaborators in the deculturalization of Native American students. “We recognize God’s work of reconciliation on many levels as we listen to the descendants of oppression and injustice, seek forgiveness and search for ways to stimulate systemic change.” Dear to our hearts is the future commitment to work for justice and act for peace because the Gospel urges us.