Congratulations to all Loretto’s outgoing & newly elected Leadership!

The government of the Sisters of Loretto and the spirit of the Loretto Community is designed to foster the Community’s faith life and mission. Each member “has the responsibility to be actively involved in creating and maintaining structures that are life-giving for all.” (I Am the Way, #103.)

Loretto Community members recognized the faith-filled service of its outgoing and incoming leadership as they celebrated the transfer of Loretto governance at a Mass Sept. 15 at Loretto Motherhouse. Also known as Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross, Loretto considers Sept. 15 – traditionally celebrated as the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows – a date of particular significance. Our Lady of Sorrows is the patron of the Sisters of Loretto. Each Loretto member standing at the foot of the cross as a friend of Mary is challenged to do the pragmatic work of the Gospel in a suffering world. That is our charism and the gift that Loretto is for others.

Honored on Sept. 15 were outgoing Loretto President Barbara Nicholas SL and Executive Committee/Forum members Vice President Mary Margaret Murphy SL, Sharon Kassing SL, Cathy Mueller SL, Mary Catherine Rabbitt SL and Vicki Schwartz SL and Forum members Jane German CoL, Jacki Diego-Medina CoL, Sue Kenney CoL and Paulette Peterson CoL.

These long-serving women were acknowledged for having taken the Community deeper into the heart of God and our Sorrowful Mother, who calls all into service. Loretto members blessed them, saying, “We thank you for all the times you were compassionate of heart. Year by year you have served Loretto and its mission work well. May you receive the offering of our gratitude, the receiving of God’s grace and the blessing of peace.” 

Next invited to come forward were the members of the newly elected Leadership Team: Loretto President Buffy Boesen, Vice President Mary Margaret and the other members of the Executive Committee – Donna Mattingly SL, Cathy Mueller SL, Cathy Smith SL and Kathy Wright SL – and the members of the Community Forum: Jacqueline Diego-Medina CoL, Jane German CoL, Maribah Ishaq SL and the Rev. Marty Lally CoL. They were each given a candle as a symbol of the light they would need as they serve the Community. All were encouraged to “share your light!”

Barbara prayed, “May the call of leadership awaken in you all the grace that you need. As God calls you to serve, may you have the wisdom to read the signs of the times, and may your work be infused with passion, clarity and compassion as you lead Loretto into an ever-changing future.” She then officially transferred the Office of President to Buffy and the newly elected team of the Executive Committee with assistance from the Forum. Barbara, in her final formal act as Loretto’s president, left them with this charge: “May you nurture our life of commitment in the Loretto tradition.”

“We give you glory, thanks and praise, O bless our works and guide our ways.

Glory, glory! We give you glory, thanks and praise!”

On Loretto’s Facebook page this week and next we will feature our outgoing and newly elected Loretto leadership. Our deep thanks and congratulations to all!