Topic archive
Interchange
Thoughtful and engaging news stories of interest to the Loretto Community and friends.
Introducing the 2018-2019 Loretto Volunteers!
Thirteen Loretto Volunteers arrived Aug. 10 for their weeklong orientation at the Loretto Motherhouse. As you already might know, Loretto Volunteers commit to a year of service working full time at social justice organizations in St. Louis, El Paso and…
Speaking Truth to Power … Walking a Pilgrimage of Pain
“Kitty, could you just send us something simple (about the situation in Nicaragua), a personal perspective of the impact on you and your friends?” That was the request from my friend Debbie as she asked that I “help people, like…
A Time to Be Born … and a Time to End
Accompaniment or “walking with” has been integral to our work in Nicaragua at the Casa Materna Mary Ann Jackman (MAJ). Since welcoming our first mothers in October 1991, we have been blessed to serve more than 17,750 mothers, facilitating their…
I Will Go – To Ghana
By Stacy Fitzwater “Madam, Madam!” Children ages 5 to 15 clamored for our attention. Come, play on the dirt field. Come, ride my bike, see my classroom, walk to the water hole. Welcome, we are glad you are here! As…
Reading Enrichment by and for Greater Loretto
By Angela Bianco and Kay Carlew It all began with a good idea and a question — why don’t we …? And then it came together. Kay Carlew did her capable networking and Then came the teachers: Imelda Therese Marquez,…
El Paso Celebrates Mary Margaret’s Retirement from Villa Maria
For 11 years Mary Margaret Murphy has been the caseworker at Villa Maria in El Paso, accompanying and guiding women through transition from homelessness, addiction, mental illness and incarceration to stability and wellness. As she prepared to retire, Villa Maria…
Father Peter Urban Celebrates 60 Years as a Priest
By Kathy Santopietro Weddel Peter Urban “happened” to the Roman Catholic priesthood May 31, 1958, and the Church hasn’t been the same since. That “happening” continues as he lives his sacred promises each day that welcomes his generous smile. In…
Mary Nelle Celebrates 50 Golden Years With Gratitude
Mary Nelle Gage is celebrating 50 years as a Sister of Loretto. When asked about her life in Loretto, her response is one of gratitude for the many opportunities that have been afforded her and the inspiration Loretto members have…
A Trip to the Desert: Learning To Serve and Welcome the Stranger
By Rosa Lizarde Every border trip is different, and the one this past May to Nogales, Ariz., and Mexico with the Minneapolis-based St. Joan of Arc Church was truly unique. Each border trip offers the opportunity to extend financial support…
UN NGO Chronicles Highlights of 2018 Commission on the Status of Women
“Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls” was the priority theme of this year’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62). The review theme was “Participation in and access of women to…
St. Louis Climate Summit Summary
Beth Blissman attended one day of the three-day St. Louis Climate Summit with Roberta Hudlow. It was an enriching experience filled with academic analysis and fresh, local food. The highlight for Beth was meeting U.N. Human Rights champion 17-year-old Kehkashan…
What’s the Latest with LInc?
By Anna Koop and Maureen O’Connell Loretto Incorporated (LInc) was affirmed at the 2017 Loretto Assembly with the following Mission statement: “We believe it is imperative to carry forward the mission and spirit of Loretto in companionship with the Congregation…