Immigrants and Refugees

Loretto strongly advocates for the needs of our neighbors and holds a special place in its heart for immigrants, migrants and refugees. We join with the universal Church is seeing the goodness of all people and welcome all with open arms. We tell the story of the immigrant to all who will listen and speak up on behalf of human life. Learn about our Justice and Peace work.

Loretto, Leadership of Other Congregations Call on Catholics to Advocate for Systemic Immigration Reform

By Loretto Community / January 9, 2020 /

A letter to the editor co-signed by Loretto, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and the Ursulines of Louisville re: National Migration Week appeared in the Record, the Catholic newspaper of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Click here to view the letter, which appears on page A5.

Loretto, as Part of LCWR Region 13 Leadership, Calls for Recognition of Migrant Family Separation as a Pro-life Issue

By Loretto Community / October 31, 2019 /

September 25, 2019 We appeal to people who value the dignity of all human life to recognize that the separation of young migrant children from their parents is a significant pro-life issue in our country today. At an age when they should be full of energy and vibrancy, these boys and girls are experiencing the…

Mission Activities Team Shares Challenges and Aligns Goals

By Eileen Harrington CoL / September 1, 2019 /

The Loretto Mission Activities Team represents the Community committees, networks and some offices. They met at the Motherhouse to share their work and develop strategies to do it better. They reviewed Loretto’s five-year goals and recent Assembly resolutions on immigration and sustainability. Representatives of the Pakistan, Guatemala, Peace and Latin America/Caribbean committees, the Earth and…

Mother’s Day at Louisville Greyhound Station Gift of Welcome and Reunion

By Catherine (Kitty) Madden CoL / July 1, 2019 /

As she walked toward me in the middle of the bus station, the first thing I noticed was the long bright red sweater pulled down tightly over her very pregnant body. Looking at her bright, dark eyes, almost perfect complexion and wide smile, no one could have guessed that Maura had just stepped off a…

Processing Refugees at Annunciation House Locations

By Rosemary Casey CoL / July 1, 2019 /

Refugees arrive at one of 10 Annunciation House (AH) sites in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) buses from the El Paso detention center. Ours was the Soluna Hotel. AH would contact our coordinator, alerting him of the imminent arrival of a bus and how many persons were coming, the majority from Guatemala, El Salvador and…

Personal Reflections on a Week of Service in El Paso

By Rosemary Casey CoL / July 1, 2019 /

I spent a week in El Paso helping with the humanitarian crisis of Central American refugees being released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. Living in Hawaii, I felt quite removed from the border crisis, and I wanted to know first-hand what was really happening and perhaps why so many people are risking everything…

Loretto Welcomes Commitment of New Co-Member Molly Kammien

By Vivian Doremus CoL / June 3, 2019 /

Community Group 21 gathered on April 13 to affirm Molly Kammien as she joyously promised to live as a co-member of Loretto, agreeing to support other Community members in realizing God’s peace on earth while continuing to create a community of faith, hope and love. Family, friends, surprise guest add to celebration The Community Group…

Five weeks at the shelter

By Loretto Community / May 31, 2019 /

‘. . . one of the volunteers told me if I wanted to see the face of God and the suffering Jesus, this was the place to be.’ Claudia Calzetta SL Immigrants were assigned two families to a room at the La Quinta motel where Alicia Ramirez SL volunteered upon her arrival in El Paso…

Loretto helps provide respite for weary travelers

By Mary E. (Buffy) Boesen SL / May 31, 2019 /

In early October 2018, the number of asylum seekers coming into El Paso began increasing dramatically. Annunciation House needed more volunteers to assist with serving these people. Sisters from many religious communities began coming and needed housing. After the convent closed and rooms were converted to offices, there were still 14 rooms that were saved…

A grateful heart

By Loretto Community / May 31, 2019 /

“I’ve been given so much. Whatever I am able to return, I am grateful for the opportunity to do it.” Mary Margaret Murphy SL, Loretto’s new Vice President, laughs as she recalls some of her Machebeuf High School friends talking about entering religious life. Back then, her retort was “Thank you, God. That’s not for…

Sharing My El Paso Experience

By Vivian Doremus CoL / May 1, 2019 /

Recently I returned from volunteer work helping immigrant families at the El Paso/Juarez border. I wish to share the remarkable story unfolding there. I had been reading accounts in Interchange of the dramatic needs at Annunciation House. These stories moved me to begin sending shipments of clothing and toiletries to assist immigrants arriving after arduous…

Loretto Back at the Border in 2019

By Loretto Community / April 1, 2019 /

By Mary Jean Friel and Mary Helen Sandoval The Latin America/Caribbean Committee sponsored a trip to the Mexican border at Nogales, Mexico. We led the excursion. Due to the strong support of the administrative team of St. Mary’s Academy (SMA), six staff members were able to participate, and the Loretto Volunteer Program sponsored two women.…

The Loretto Community consists of the congregation of the Sisters of Loretto and Loretto Co-members. The congregation of the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross was founded in rural Kentucky in 1812. Today, our Sisters and Co-members continue to live out the Loretto Community’s mission to “work for justice and act for peace because the Gospel urges us.” In the United States and throughout the world, Loretto Community members serve in many fields, including education, healthcare, elder care, environmental stewardship and advocacy.