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Labyrinth Anniversary Celebration

Tuesday, 03/19/2024 at 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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St. Vincent de Paul Annual Palm Sunday Dinner

Sunday, 03/24/2024 at 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM

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Black Women Poets: Vision and Voice

Sunday, 03/24/2024 at 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

24
Annual Legion of Mary Acies

Sunday, 03/24/2024 at 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

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Speaker: Social Media and Teen Mental Health

Tuesday, 04/02/2024 at 6:30 PM

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St. Mark Book Fair

Saturday, 04/06/2024 at 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Poet Laureates Alive: Smith, Harjo, and Limon with Noeli Lytton

Sunday, 04/07/2024 at 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

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Divine Mercy Sunday

Sunday, 04/07/2024 at 2:00 PM

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Where Art Serves the World

Wednesday, 04/10/2024 at 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Jubilarians: Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)

60th Reception of the Habit

Sister Denise Ann Clifford

Birth name: Mary Margaret Clifford

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1958

First profession: 1961

Final profession: 1966

Education: Bachelor’s in education, with a minor in history, Webster University, 1963

Master’s in special education, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 1970

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Cronan, St. Louis, 1965-67

Teacher and student choir director, St. Pius V, St. Louis, 1967-73

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, All Souls, Englewood, Colo., 1963-65

Principal and teacher at St. Mary, Taylorville, Ill., 1973-74

Principal, St. Michael, Houston, 1982-96

Director of development, Loretto Community, 1997-present

Vice president, Loretto Community, 2001-06

Interim principal, St. Mary’s Academy Middle School, Denver, 2002-04

About Sister Denise Ann Clifford: Says Sister Denise Ann, “Music is my hobby and a part of my service everywhere I have lived. Directing children’s choirs and working with the adults in the parish gives me delight. My work in the Loretto Development Office with donors who believe in the Loretto mission is a joy. I have come to realize the impact and value of Loretto education through the years.” After many years of living in Denver, Sister Denise Ann relocated late this summer to Kentucky.


Sister Jeanne (Eugenie Marie) Dueber

Birth name: Dorothy Jeanne Dueber

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1958

First profession: 1961

Final profession: 1966

Education: Bachelor’s in art, Webster University, 1962

Master’s in art, University of Iowa at Iowa City, 1969

Service in the archdiocese: Studied with Rudolph Torrini, Webster College, while residing at the Loretto House of Studies, Webster Groves, 1961-62

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Loretto Academy, Kansas City, Mo., 1962-68

Art teacher and artist, Loretto Academy, Kansas City, Mo., 1970-77

Artist in residence/sculptor, with her studio and art gallery at Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Ky., 1977-present

About Sister Jeanne (Eugenie Marie) Dueber: Sister Jeanne has exhibited at more than 100 shows all across the Midwest and has work displayed at many locations, including Hallmark, Humana and Brown-Forman Distillers. She also has displayed her work in corporate connections at the University of Iowa and in schools and churches. Her work, entitled “Fiat,” is in Sculpture Park, Webster Groves. Says Sister Jeanne, “Art has always been important to me. I have an interest in constructing things and inventing.” She resides at Loretto Motherhouse.


Sister Roberta (Mary Claude) Hudlow

Birth name: Roberta Jacqueline Hudlow

Birthplace: Osage, Mo.

Entrance: 1958

First profession: 1961

Final profession: 1966

Education: Bachelor’s in art, with minors in English and French, Webster University, 1963

Master’s in art, Ohio State University at Columbus, 1969

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, De Andreis High School, St. Louis, 1963-64

Art and humanities teacher, Nerinx Hall High School, Webster Groves, 1970-76

Instructor in technical writing, Rankin Technical Institute, St. Louis, 1981-83

Volunteer and manager, Focal Point Folk Music and Arts Coffee House, Webster Groves, 1977-87

Art teacher, K-5 in St. Louis Public Schools, 1987-2000

Library staff, Nerinx Hall High School, 2000-16

Art teacher, Marian Middle School, St. Louis, 2002-03

Practicing artist in St. Louis, throughout ministry

Service outside the archdiocese: Art teacher, Bishop Toolen High School, Mobile, Ala., 1964-66

Art teacher, Loretto and Flaget high schools, Louisville, Ky., 1966-68, 1969-70

About Sister Roberta (Mary Claude) Hudlow: Sister Roberta is an accomplished artist. Some of her commissioned artworks include the Slave Memorial at Loretto Motherhouse, Founder’s Plaque at Webster University and a wood-relief at the Community Center at Mount Loretto in Denver. Among her works, she constructed a stainless-steel work depicting sports played in the Nerinx athletic field. Her artistic contributions include plaques honoring Mary Rhodes Award recipients, original paintings, logos and brochure design. She also loves cats, including the one who resides in her home studio in St. Louis.


Sister Eileen (Charles Maura) Kersgieter

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1958

First profession: 1961

Final profession: 1966

Education: Bachelor’s in education, with a minor in social studies, Webster University, 1962

Master’s in education, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1970

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Paul the Apostle, Pine Lawn, 1964-66

Teacher, St. Ann, Normandy, 1966-68

Principal, St. Pius V, St. Louis, 1968-88

Secretary in the counseling office, Nerinx Hall High School, Webster Groves, 1999-2011

Co-coordinator, Loretto Center, St. Louis, 2000-06

Community service, Loretto Center, St. Louis, 2007-17

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Ann, Arlington, Va., 1962-64

Service coordinator, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Ky., 1988-99, where she coordinated all aspects of Motherhouse life and mission.

About Sister Eileen (Charles Maura) Kersgieter: Sister Eileen served on the Loretto Executive Committee from 1990-94. Music is her great love, and she has worked at schools and in the community in liturgy for many years. Sister Eileen also loves reading and puzzles of all kinds. She now resides at Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Ky.


Sister Vicki (Mary Jude) Schwartz

Birth name: Victoria Cecelia Schwartz

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1958

First profession: 1961

Final profession: 1966

Education: Bachelor’s in education, with a minor in English, Webster University, 1963

Master’s in English, Saint Louis University, 1975

Master’s in theological studies, Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, Calif., 1989

Service in the archdiocese: Student, Webster University, while residing at Loretto House of Studies, Webster Groves, 1961-63

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in El Paso, Texas, and Kansas City, Mo.

Principal, Loretto Academy High School, El Paso, Texas, 1976-87

Director of administration, Huckleberry Youth Programs, San Francisco, 1989-97

Director of development, Huckleberry Youth Programs, San Francisco, 1998-2012

Executive committee/community forum member, Loretto Community, 2007-12

Vice president, Executive Committee/Community Forum member, Loretto Community, 2013-15

Human resource coordinator, Loretto Community, 2013-18

Interim president at St. Mary’s Academy, Denver, then Escuela de Guadalupe School, Denver, 2016-18

Executive Committee/Community Forum member, 2019-present

About Sister Vicki (Mary Jude) Schwartz: Sister Vicki has been active in all aspects of education. She chaired the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools with membership on the Advisory Board. Twice she received Women of the Year Awards in El Paso, Texas. Sister Vicki served as grant reviewer with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She has an interest in art, and enjoys swimming with dolphins and sea creatures. She lives her life in service with a joyful spirit of gratitude. A few cats along the way run her home.


Sister Mary (Peter Mary) Swain

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1958

First profession: 1961

Final profession: 1966

Education: Bachelor’s in mathematics, with minors in education and English, Webster University, 1963

Master’s of arts in teaching, specializing in mathematics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., 1966

Service in the archdiocese: Student, Webster University, while residing at Loretto House of Studies, Webster Groves, 1961-63

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Machebeuf High School in Denver, 1963-65

Teacher, Loretto High School, Louisville, Ky., 1966-73

Assistant to director of finance for Loretto Community, 1973-78

Director of finance and treasurer, Loretto Community, 1978-2013

Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Ky., 2013-present

About Sister Mary (Peter Mary) Swain: Sister Mary has been a consultant to the National Religious Retirement Office and has served on the board for the National Association for Treasurers of Religious Institutes. Along with her math background and service to the Loretto Community in the financial area, Sister Mary has experience as a church organist and plans and prepares materials for Loretto liturgies at Loretto Motherhouse and for special occasions. The grounds at Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Ky., where she resides, receive careful tending and a loving touch from Sister Mary.


65th Reception of the Habit

Sister Agnes Ann Schum

Birth name: Margaret Catherine Schum

Birthplace: Champaign, Ill.

Entrance: 1953

First profession: 1956

Final profession: 1961

Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, with a minor in philosophy, Webster University, 1958

Master’s in geography, Saint Louis University, 1971

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Good Shepherd, Hillsboro, 1961-63

Teacher, St. Catherine, Pagedale, 1963-65

Teacher, Visitation-Holy Ghost, St. Louis, 1965-67

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Louisville, Ky.; East St. Louis, Ill.; and Englewood, Colo.

Principal, All Souls, Englewood, Colo., 1973-76

Loretto’s Third World Experience, East Africa, 1976-77

Loretto staff, social advocate, consultant to the Central American Concerns/ Legislation and Social Concerns Committee, Denver, 1982-83

Staff aide to U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, Littleton, Colo., 1983-86

Field operations assistant, Bureau of the Census, Denver, 1989-90

Enneagram consultant, Denver, and director of Rocky Mountain Enneagram Resources, 1989-96

Executive director, Project AIMM (Archdiocesan Intercongregational Ministry Model), Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky., 2001

Director, The Caring Place, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Ky., 2006-07

Developed and member of Pastoral Team for Loretto Infirmary, Nerinx, Ky., 2010-18

Community Service, Loretto Motherhouse and Infirmary, 2019-present

About Sister Agnes Ann Schum: Sister Agnes Ann, who resides at Loretto Motherhouse, says, “I have a busy retirement. I volunteer for community care, visiting and mentoring with Loretto Infirmary staff and coordinating the Enneagram work with the infirmary department heads and others. It keeps me going.”


70th Reception of the Habit

Sister Kay (Josita) DeMarea

Birth name: Katherine DeMarea

Birthplace: Kansas City, Mo.

Entrance: 1948

First profession: 1951

Final profession: 1954

Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, with a minor in social studies, Webster University, 1959

Master’s in liturgy and catechetics, Webster University, 1967

Doctorate in special education, Saint Louis University, 1977

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Paul the Apostle, Pine Lawn, 1951-52

Teacher, Mount Carmel, Baden, 1955-58

Teacher, Mary, Queen of Peace, Webster Groves, 1958-59

Teacher, Sacred Heart, St. Louis, 1959-66

Teacher, Webster University’s College School, Webster Groves, 1966-70

Teacher, with special education emphasis, Loretto Center for Learning , Webster Groves, 1966-72

Consultant, Special Education Department, Saint Louis University, 1973-76

Teacher and chairperson, Department of Special Education, Fontbonne University, 1975-76

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Christ the King, Louisville, Ky., 1952-55

Associate professor of education, Georgia College, Milledgeville, Ga., 1976-83

Director of religious education, Sacred Heart, Milledgeville, Ga., 1983-90

Coordinator, Loretto Literacy Program, Lebanon, Ky., 1990-95

Director, Outreach Program, Marion County, Ky., 1995-2001

Director, Loretto Child Care Program, Loretto, Ky., 2001-04

Pastoral team member, Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary, Nerinx, Ky., 2008-09

Community service, Bardstown, Ky., 2009-present

About Sister Kay (Josita) DeMarea: Sister Kay has used all her degrees well, in particular with her work in special education and in liturgy and catechetics. She has been active in parish music everywhere she has lived and often directed congregational singing. Says Sister Kay, “Everything has been worth it, they have been wonderful years.” She resides in Bardstown, Ky.


Sister Rita Maureen Hurtt

Birthplace: St. Louis

Entrance: 1949

First profession: 1951

Final profession: 1954

Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, with a minor in English, Loretto Heights College, Denver, 1965

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Immaculate Conception, St. Louis, 1968-71

Community service, Loretto Center, St. Louis, 2010-16

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Joseph, Fort Collins, Colo., 1951-52

Teacher, Blessed Sacrament, Denver, 1960-67

Teacher, St. Philomena, Denver, 1967-68

Teacher, St. Mary, Nevada, Mo., 1971-78

Pastoral ministry, Our Lady of the Presentation, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 1978-87

Pastoral associate. St. Raphael, Kansas City, Mo., 1990-93

Substitute teacher and tutor, Kansas City, Mo., 1994-2002

Volunteer ministry to homebound, Kansas City, Mo., 2002-10

Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Ky., 2016-resent

About Sister Rita Maureen Hurtt: Sister Rita Maureen says it gives her great pleasure to remember that “no child left my first grade without learning to read. I had wonderful cooperation from parents.” She loved home visiting and pastoral care in nursing homes. An important part of her prayer life is for the aging population. Sister Rita Maureen resides at Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Ky.


75th Reception of the Habit

Sister Mary Katherine (M. Odile) Hammett

Birthplace: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Entrance: 1943

First profession: 1946

Final profession: 1949

Education: Bachelor’s in applied music, with a minor in education, St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, 1962

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Catherine, St. Louis, 1947-48

Director, Lafayette Pre-school at Loretto Academy, St. Louis, 1971

Community service, Loretto Center, St. Louis, 1997-2004

Community service, Sarah Community, St. Louis, 2004-10

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Pueblo, Colo.; Denver; South Pasadena, Calif.; Los Angeles; and Houston

Coordinator of religious education in parishes in South Pasadena, Los Angeles, La Puente, Pico Rivera and Whittier, Calif., 1971-87

Maintenance dispatch, Pacific Tube Co., Montebello, Calif., 1988-92

Chapel sacristan, Loretto Academy, El Paso, 1992-97

Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Ky., 2012-present

About Sister Mary Katherine (M. Odile) Hammett: Says Sister Mary Katherine, “I knew in the second grade that I wanted to become a nun. I was inspired by my teacher and very active in the parish playing the organ at Mass.” Sister Mary Katherine is close to her large family. Being an excellent driver, she enjoyed cruising the interstates far and wide to visit. Her family is grateful for her wisdom, strength and peaceful, loving soul.


80th Reception of the Habit

Sister Mary Genevieve Cavanaugh

Birth name: Jeanne Cavanaugh

Birthplace: Kansas City, Mo.

Entrance: 1938

First profession: 1941

Final profession: 1944

Education: Bachelor’s in music theory, Webster University, 1952

Master’s in music theory, DePaul University, Chicago, 1965

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Ann, Normandy, 1941-47

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Pasadena, Calif.; Freeport and El Paso, Texas; and Denver

Music teacher, St. Vincent, Denver, 1956-76

Teacher, School of Religion and humanities, St. Philomena Junior High, Denver, 1976-80

Tutor, Denver, 1980-82

Music teacher, Good Shepherd, Denver, 1982-84

Assistant administrator, St. Anthony Manor, Casper, Wyo., 1984-95

Caring ministry, St. Anthony Manor, Casper, Wyo., 1995-2010

Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, 2010-19

About Sister Mary Genevieve Cavanaugh: Sister Gen, as she fondly was called, died peacefully Aug. 9 at Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary. The Loretto Community at the Motherhouse and beyond celebrates the new life of Sister Gen, who had been the community’s second-oldest member. She was a woman of faith and had great awareness of the world around her, from her childhood love of the family farm to realizing that “all things are possible with God’s grace.” Sister Gen was one of Loretto’s wisdom figures.

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