Topic archive
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, as Part of LCWR Region 13 Leadership, Calls for Recognition of Migrant Family Separation as a Pro-life Issue
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…
Mission Activities Team Shares Challenges and Aligns Goals
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…
Mother’s Day at Louisville Greyhound Station Gift of Welcome and Reunion
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…
Personal Reflections on a Week of Service in El Paso
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…
Processing Refugees at Annunciation House Locations
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…
Five weeks at the shelter
‘. . . 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…
Loretto helps provide respite for weary travelers
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…
A grateful heart
“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…
Sharing My El Paso Experience
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…
Loretto Back at the Border in 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),…
#StandWithSisters
This #NationalCatholicSistersWeek March 8-14, will you #StandWithSisters in serving, advocating for and walking with the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in our society; caring for our common home; standing firm against racism and oppressive systems at work in our world?…
SMA Alumna Reflects on Volunteer Service at El Paso Shelter for Immigrants
By Isabel Forward On the ride home, as I smelled vaguely of vomit, I thought of the many ways these families had suffered during their time here – so much so, that even accepting relief from this suffering when it’s…