CoLs
For more than 40 years, Loretto Co-members have enriched the life of Loretto. Their presence is reflected in relationships, service on committees, financial support and participating in the many missions of Loretto. Learn more about the Co-Members of Loretto.
Anne Catherine Spillane (known as Nancy by her family) was a bright light wherever she was. It was often said that she was “everyone’s best friend,” so well did she fulfill that role. Known as Sister Lucian, from 1947 to 1971, she served Loretto in many capacities — teacher at Mary Queen of Peace in…
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Josepha Eyre was the eighth of 10 children born to Elizabeth Margaret Purcell and Francis Anton Schretien in Nijmegan, Holland, in 1931. She described her life as “before” and “since the war.” Her early years were relatively uneventful, with school and life at home. The Nazis invaded Holland in 1940. Every aspect of life changed.…
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Co-membership began as a means for those who were deeply connected to Loretto to have an alternative, non-canonical way of formally belonging to the Community. Lisa Reynolds CoL In my role as the co-membership coordinator, I am blessed to get to know the co-members-in-process. To share with these individuals our love of Loretto, its members…
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Words have been a part of my life since long before I could read them. My parents were avid readers, and their love of the written word seems to be part of my genetic code. Looking back, the only summer of my childhood which I can recall in its entirety is the summer between, I think, fourth…
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Patricia Jean Saddler was understandably proud of her ancestry. Her distant kin, Basil Hayden, led the first band of Catholics from Maryland to central Kentucky in 1785. Her mother’s family, the Raleys, were original settlers of Calvary, Ky., the Rev. Charles Nerinckx’s first parish. She had relatives among the early Sisters of Loretto and an aunt…
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Chelsea Collonge Page recently was ordained as pastor in the United Church of Christ. She is serving a UCC congregation in Salt Lake City. Congratulations, Chelsea, and many blessings on your ministry.
Read MoreLoretto Magazine – Fall 2019 Volunteer House opens in Denver For the second year in a row, Loretto has opened a new Volunteer House. One year after the founding of El Paso’s house, Denver’s new home opened in August. Three volunteers will spend a year in service: Reilly Love Rebhahn works at Escuela de Guadalupe,…
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By Jean East A conference in Hudson, N.Y., provided signs of hope through the topic “Diversity and Inclusion in Intentional Communities.” Beth Blissman and I attended the conference this past July. The conference included more than 50 sessions, tours of local communities, community meals, movies and plays. Beth and I attended different sessions that were…
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(Editor’s Note: Information from Mary Hunt, friend of Loretto, and from Ruth’s son, John Fitzpatrick, via Jeannine Gramick) Mary Hunt writes, “Ruth McDonough Fitzpatrick made a signal contribution through her leadership of the Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) and participation in the Women-Church Convergence. She led with great enthusiasm and savvy.” Mary Louise Denny recalls that…
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“Loved places become our heart’s geography.” — Whitney Wurzel former Bernheim Education Director Many of you know that I have worked at Bernheim Forest for almost 20 years. What you may not know is that Bernheim inspired me as a little girl. It was at Bernheim that I encountered adults who were as passionate about nature…
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“‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free; ‘tis a gift to come down where we ought to be. And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.” Leslee Moore’s choice of this old Shaker hymn to open the celebration of…
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“I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places so that you may know that it is I the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.” Is. 45:3 Robert Riggs knew this Scripture well because he found treasures of darkness hidden in his life and in secret places…
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