Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
60th Reception of the Habit
Sister Claudia Calzetta
Birth name: Claudia Celeste
Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut
Entrance: 1960
First profession: 1963
Final profession: 2003
Education: Bachelor’s in music, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1966
Master’s in music, Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, 1975
Certificate in spiritual direction, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, 2000
Master’s in pastoral studies, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, 2001
Service in the archdiocese: Vice principal, Cor Jesu Academy, Affton, 1990-95
Coordinator, Loretto Volunteers and Loretto Community, St. Louis, 2012-18
Service outside the archdiocese: Elementary school teacher, St. Michael School, Butler, Pennsylvania, 1963-68
Music teacher, Blessed Sacrament Jr. High, Hamden, Connecticut, 1968-69
Music and theology teacher, Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden, Connecticut, 1969-83
Principal, St. Rocco School, Johnson, Rhode Island, 1983-88
Principal, St. Michael School, New Haven, Connecticut, 1988-90
Principal, Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden, Connecticut 1995-98
Campus minister, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois, 2000-12
About Sister Claudia Calzetta: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — Mary Oliver. I have thought about this quote many times in my life. I entered the convent in 1960 and became an educator. I moved from being a teacher of young children to becoming an administrator and ultimately working with young adults as a campus minister at SIUE and coordinator of the Loretto Volunteer program for young adults. As I look back on my life, however, I see the last two ministries working with young adults as the most valuable experiences of my life. These ministries helped me realize that this is where I could put my passion for helping others to learn how to be compassionate in ways I never dreamed or experienced and how truly to put into action the Loretto motto of “working for justice and acting for peace.” I know that the road I chose helped me achieve a positive and exciting “wild and precious life” closer to myself, to others, to my God. This wild ride continues. Truly I had the best of both worlds. The Apostles of the Sacred Heart gave me a strong background in education and spirituality, and the Sisters of Loretto gave me the opportunity to expand my educational outreach to ministries that fulfilled my “wild and precious life.” I am and will always be grateful to both for their support of me and my life.
Sister Eleanor Craig
Birth name: Eleanor Elizabeth
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1962
First profession: 1965
Final profession: 1977
Education: Bachelor’s in mathematics, Webster College, Webster Groves, 1966
Master’s in mathematics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1968
Doctorate of education, Boston University, Boston, 1981
Service in the archdiocese: Part-time teacher, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1965-72
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Loretto in Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 1968-74
Acting director, MAT, Webster University, Kansas City, Missouri, 1972-77
Teaching assistant, Boston University, Boston, 1981-82
Contract teacher, Test Prep Services, Boston, 1981-83
Rural adult education teacher, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1987-90
Community organizer and educator, Community Farm Alliance, Berea, Kentucky, 1990-93
Office Manager, Accessible Arts, Inc. Kansas City, Kansas, 1996-2008
Trail guide and executive assistant, Kansas City, Kansas, 2000-10
Director, Loretto Heritage Center Archives and Museum, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2012-20
Loretto community historian, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2020-present
About Sister Eleanor Craig: I grew up in Webster Groves, where my mother and her father both grew up. I walked the same way to school for 14 years, to Holy Redeemer, Nerinx Hall and Webster College. I chose the Sisters of Loretto because they were generous and natural and laughed a lot. In 60 years I have seldom been disappointed, except for the first five years when the highly structured life I thought I wanted was updated to serve a modern world. I got used to “the changes” and grew up to be a responsible adult, striving to be generous, natural and to laugh a lot. I have been guided by an inner passion for the natural world, for history in its natural context and for teaching beyond the walls of a school. Though I began as a math teacher, I soon developed a way of teaching life lessons through storytelling and adventure traveling. I have led more wagon trains along the old western trails than any mountain man. As I continue to develop beyond my 80th birthday, I am deepening my practice of meditation and learning to be silent in the face of God.
65th Reception of the Habit
Sister Mary Ellen McElroy
Birthplace: Kremmling, Colorado
Entrance: 1957
First profession: 1960
Final profession: 1965
Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1961
Master’s of education, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1977
Certification in clinical pastoral education (CPE), Deaconess Hospital, St. Louis, with residency at Boulder Community Hospital, Boulder, Colorado, 1988
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, middle grades, Mary Queen of Peace School, Webster Groves, 1961-65
Teacher, middle grades, St. Rose of Lima School, St. Louis, 1965-72
Principal, St. Rose of Lima School, St. Louis, 1972-75
Director of religious education and pastoral ministry, St. Justin Martyr Parish, Sunset Hills, 1976-86
Visiting the elderly, St. Engelbert Parish, St. Louis, 1986-87
Service outside the archdiocese: Chaplain, St. Anthony North Hospital, Denver, 1988-95
Bereavement counselor, Centura Hospice of Peace, Denver, 1995-2002
Spiritual direction and part-time bereavement counselor, Loretto Spiritual Renewal Center, Kremmling, Colorado, 2002-07
Co-coordinator, Denver Loretto Center, Littleton, Colorado, 2007-10
Volunteer mentor for women in prison, Center for Spirituality at Work, Denver, 2002-12
About Sister Mary Ellen McElroy: Sister Mary Ellen went to the Loretto novitiate after attending Loretto Heights College in Denver for three years. While at St. Justin Martyr Parish in Sunset Hills, she began a group for divorced and widowed people in 1979. She also volunteered for 10 years with the Center for Spirituality at Work mentoring women in prison. She continues to give spiritual direction and to do grief counseling. Sister Mary Ellen now resides in Lakewood, Colorado.
Sister Judith Marie (Sister Mary Ralph) Popp
Birthplace: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Entrance: 1957
First profession: 1960
Final profession: 1965
Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1962
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Immaculate Conception School, Springfield, Missouri, 1962-66
Teacher, St. Joseph School, Rawlins, Wyoming, 1966-71
Teacher, Loretto Elementary School, El Paso, Texas, 1971-72
Part-time social work and religious education in three parish areas, Abbey of Gethsemani, Marion County, Kentucky, 1973-2021
Interim executive director, The Caring Place, Lebanon, Kentucky, 2000-01
Motherhouse sacristan, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2001-present
About Sister Judith Marie Popp: Sister Judy was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, which was within the St. Louis Archdiocese until 1956. She lived in St. Louis at the Loretto House of Studies while completing her degree at Webster University, 1960-62. She has lived at the Loretto Motherhouse since 1972. Besides the work Sister Judy does with the poor and the social work she does in parishes, in her work for the Abbey of Gethsemani and at the Motherhouse, she has long been the sacristan for the Church of the Seven Dolors on the grounds of the Motherhouse. Among her duties, Sister Judy helps prepare and plan special liturgies and funeral services. She served as chairperson of the committee that renovated the church in 1980.
70th Reception of the Habit
Sister Patricia (Sister Vincent Marie) Frueh
Birthplace: Afton, Iowa
Entrance: 1952
First profession: 1955
Final profession: 1958
Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1957
Master’s in teaching in religious education, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1969
Associate’s in nursing, Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colorado, 1987
Certification as registered nurse, 1987
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Cronan School, St. Louis, 1957-58
Primary coordinator, St. Ferdinand School, Florissant, 1958-64
Teacher, St. Ann School, Normandy, 1964-66
Teacher and religion coordinator, Immaculate Conception School, Maplewood, 1969-71
Nurse, part-time, Loretto Center, Webster Groves, 2008-13
Caregiver and nurse, Senior Helpers, St. Louis, 2008-13
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Jerome School, Fairdale, Kentucky, 1966-69
Religion coordinator, St. Jerome School, Fairdale, Kentucky, 1971-75
Teacher, Creston Catholic Community School, Creston, Iowa, 1975-78
Religious education coordinator, Our Lady of the Americas School, Kansas City, Missouri, 1978-79
Religious education coordinator, St. Bernard’s Parish, Louisville, Kentucky, 1979-82
Teacher, St. Francis School, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1983-86
Staff nurse, Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1987-92
Staff, Care Tenders, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, 1993-94
Nurse, Lincoln Trail Home Health, Washington County Health Services, Springfield and Lebanon, Kentucky, 1994-98
Community health nurse and volunteer and hospice work, eastern Kentucky, 1998-2000
Secretary to Loretto Motherhouse service coordinator, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2000-04
Loretto Motherhouse Ministry and Health Ministry, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2001-02
Gardener and canner, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx. Kentucky, 2004-08
Part-time convent nurse and gardener, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2013-16
About Sister Patricia Frueh: Sister Pat enjoys gardening, is an excellent cook and baker and is a practitioner of “Healing Touch” massage. At the Loretto Motherhouse where she now lives, she assists with driving the sisters, continues her gardening and serves as a eucharistic minister in the Loretto Infirmary. Sister Pat also continues her way of random acts of kindness, which give the recipients unexpected delight.
Sister Anthony Mary Sartorius
Birth name: Sydna Mary
Birthplace: Garden City, Kansas
Entrance: 1952
First profession: 1955
Final profession: 1958
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1957
Master’s of education in earth science, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, 1971
Certification as emergency medical technician, Kentucky Department for Human Resources, 1981
Certification as dietetic assistant, State of Kentucky, 1981
Graduate study, School of Applied Theology, Berkeley, California, 2009
Service in the archdiocese: Coordinator, Loretto Center, Webster Groves, 1995-2000
Member of planning committee that initiated The Sarah Community residential care center, Bridgeton, 1996
Board member of the Intercommunity Housing Association and oversaw renovation of Compton Place Town Houses, St. Louis, 1997-2000
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Blessed Sacrament, Denver, Colorado, 1957-59
Teacher, St. Andrew, Rock Falls, Illinois, 1959-65
Teacher, Webster University Master’s Arts Teaching (MAT) Program, Kansas City, Missouri, summers 1965-69
Teacher, St. Mary’s Academy High School, Englewood, Colorado, 1965-70 and 1971-74
Community life development staff, assistant and retirement director, Denver, 1974-80
Project director for infirmary addition, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1980-82
Assistant interim management coordinator, Loretto in Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 1982-83
Service coordinator, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1983-88, 2000-09, 2018-present
President, Loretto Academy, El Paso, Texas, 1988-91
Convent health care resource person, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1993-95
Administrator, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2010-present
About Sister Anthony Mary Sartorius: Sister Anthony Mary was the first president of Loretto Academy in El Paso, Texas. She volunteered in Kentucky at Humana Hospital-University emergency room, receiving a certificate of appreciation and pin for outstanding volunteer services of 118 hours. She has supervised and encouraged the development of the Motherhouse property’s woodlands and grounds. Sister Anthony Mary oversaw the renovation of the auditorium on the Motherhouse grounds into the new home of the Heritage Center and Archives. She was the service coordinator of the Loretto Motherhouse three times. Sister Antoinette Doyle said of Sister Anthony Mary, “Her life as a Sister of Loretto has been open to whatever God and the Community called her to do.” She now resides in Loretto Living Center at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky.
75th Reception of the Habit
Sister Cabrini Bartolo
Birth name: Minnie
Birthplace: Shinnston, West Virginia
Entrance: 1947
First profession: 1950
Final profession: 1953
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1958
30 graduate hours for master’s in liturgy, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana
Certified as a Catholic chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Ann School, Normandy, 1950-52, 1970-71
Teacher, St. Pius School, St. Louis, 1952-58
Teacher and coordinator, St. Pius Ungraded Primary School, 1958-65
Teacher, St. Cronan School, St. Louis, 1965-67
Teacher, St. Ferdinand School, Florissant, 1967-68
Teacher, Immaculate Conception, Maplewood, 1968-70
Teacher, Visitation-Holy Ghost, St. Louis, 1971-72
Aftercare counselor in chemical dependency Lutheran Medical Center, St. Louis, 1982-84
Faculty, Draughon’s Business College, St. Louis, 1986-88
Pastoral associate, Incarnate Word Hospital, St. Louis, 1988-89
Service outside the archdiocese: Parish ministry team, St. Mary’s Parish, Taylorville, Illinois, 1972-74
Pastoral team, Holy Comforter Church, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1974-75
Pastoral ministry, Mercy Hospital, Davenport, Iowa, 1975-78
Health care apostolate, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1976-81
Pastoral associate, St. Peter Parish, Fairmont, West Virginia, 1989-94
Director of care center, Fairmont, West Virginia, 1994-98
Pastoral assistant, Baptist Temple, Fairmont, West Virginia, 2000-01
Minister of congregational care, Baptist Temple, Fairmont, West Virginia, 2001-03
Retired as chaplain emeritus, advocacy volunteer, 2004-06
About Sister Cabrini Bartolo: Sister Cabrini’s work in Canada was in response to Bishop Paul O’Byrne’s invitation to be coordinator of the diocesan Health Care Office. She also worked with those on the reserves regarding chemical dependency and was a consultant to volunteers, hospitals and nursing homes. She was elected to the National Clergy Council on Alcoholism and Related Drugs board in 1978, serving six years. In 2000, she received the Women of Distinction Award from the Soroptimist International of Fairmont, West Virginia, for her human rights work. She was a member of the Loretto Hunger Fund Allocation Committee, 2007-10. Sister Cabrini now lives at the Loretto Living Center at Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky.