Bringing running water to a Kentucky family

A dad and his two daughters, ages 11 and 14, living a short distance from Loretto Motherhouse were hauling water to their home month after month. Judy Popp SL, who lives at the Motherhouse, found out and determined to help. She started by purchasing a 16-foot-by-16-foot preconstructed building. She had it sited on a hill across the road from the family’s trailer where town water and sewage could be accessed and set to work turning it into an attractive water house. A water tank, toilet and tub/shower were installed. Electricity was accessed, and a heater and lights installed. She had a washer and dryer put in. A Motherhouse painter painted the walls. Sister Anndavid Naeger SL made curtains. Gravel was hauled in to improve access.

The girls and their dad have a trek to get to their water house — down the hill, across the road and up the gravel drive, but they have no complaints!

Judy is grateful to many: those who issued the water line permit, the truck driver who donated the gravel, the carpenter who donated his labor to build the steps, the plumbers, utility installers and painters. The project was funded by Loretto, the Abbey of Gethsemani and individual donors.

Read about Judy and her work with local families over the years in the winter 2020 issue of Loretto Magazine.

To read all of the stories in the fall 2024 issue, click here.