Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
60th Reception of the Habit
Sister Carole (Sister Mary Lea) Eschen
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1960
First profession: 1963
Final profession: 1969
Education: Bachelor's in biology, with minors in theology and science, Webster College, 1965
Master's in biology, St. Mary's College, Winona, Minnesota, 1975
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Mary's Academy High School, Englewood, Colorado, 1965-69
Teacher, Loretto Academy, Kansas City, Missouri, 1969-84
Teacher, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Kansas City, Missouri, 1984-86
Teacher, Kansas City Academy of Learning, 1986-2018
About Sister Carole Eschen: Sister Carole was received into the Loretto community on May 31, 1961. She is a Nerinx Hall alum, class of 1960. She retired in 2018 after 53 years of teaching math and science at four schools. Sister Carole resides in Kansas City, Missouri, where she is committed to her parish community. She also volunteers for Share and Care, a program for people with special needs. Sister Carole enjoys hand-sewing, reading and puzzles. She followed the path of Loretto's early sisters as an educator. She lived the Loretto charism of education: "The purpose of the community includes the instruction of youth and any service compatible with the spirit of the institute."
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
60th Reception of the Habit
Sister Anndavid Naeger
Birth name: Shirley Ann Naeger
Birth place: Ste. Genevieve
Entrance: 1960
First profession: 1963
Final profession: 1968
Education: Bachelor's in English, with a minor in education, Webster College, 1965
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Guardian Angel School, El Paso, Texas, 1965-67
Teacher, St. Patrick School, El Paso, 1967-68
Teacher, Sacred Heart School, El Paso, 1968-71
Teacher, Zach White Junior High, El Paso, 1971-72
Teacher, Henderson Intermediate, El Paso, 1972-78
Teacher, Loretto Academy, El Paso, 1978-86
Secretary for Special Religious Education, Archdiocese of Denver, 1986-87; 1988-94
Secretary, Archdiocese of Denver, 1987-88
Administrative assistant and admissions director, Nazareth Hall, El Paso, 1994-98
Co-director, Jesus Our Hope Hermitage, Denver, 2000-02
Secretary in Maintenance Department, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2002-06
Post master relief, Loretto Motherhouse, 2003-10
Creator, Sewing Loft, Loretto Motherhouse, 2007-present
About Sister Anndavid Naeger: Sister Anndavid was received into Loretto on May 31, 1961. She resides at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky. She is excellent at sewing -- she began the Sewing Loft at the motherhouse in 2007. Sister Anndavid also created "Our Days at Loretto Motherhouse," a monthly newsletter about motherhouse happenings. She has served as its chief writer, editor, photographer and production artist for nearly two decades and counting. Always the teacher, whether it be sewing or in the Infirmary in El Paso or at her computer, Sister Anndavid lives according to the Loretto Constitutions' "spirit and teachings." Her quiet approach to life gets it all done.
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
65th Reception of the Habit
Sister Elaine Marie Prevallet
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1955
First profession: 1958
Final profession: 1963
Education: Bachelor's in English, with minors in philosophy and sociology, Loretto Heights College, Denver, 1955
Master's in theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, 1963
Doctorate in religious studies, Marquette University, Milwaukee, 1966
Additional studies of Eastern religions in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Kyoto, Japan
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Mary's Academy High School, Denver, 1958-61
Theology teacher, Loretto Heights College, Denver, 1967-76
Theology Department chair, Loretto Heights College, Denver, 1967
Member, Executive Committee, Sisters of Loretto, 1970-73
Teaching staff, Pendle Hill, Wallingford, Pennsylvania, 1976-78
Director of Knobs Haven, a retreat center at Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1978-2000
Member, Executive Committee, Sisters of Loretto, 1986-90
Vice president, Sisters of Loretto, 1987-90, included serving on Loretto committee to revise congregation's constitutions
Writing, lecturing and guiding retreats, 2004-present
About Sister Elaine Marie Prevallet: Sister Elaine was received into Loretto on May 24, 1956. Sister Elaine was educated from first grade through college by the Sisters of Loretto. She is an alum of Nerinx Hall, class of 1951. A gifted writer, Sister Elaine has had many articles published, particularly on the subject of spirituality. She lectures, guides retreats and continues her writing. She resides at Cedars of Peace (hermitage cabins) on the grounds of the Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky. Loretto's Constitutions say, "As Sisters of Loretto, our lives are founded upon a profound act of faith in the enduring love of God and a need to share that love." Sister Elaine has shared that love her whole life in Loretto.
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
65th Reception of the Habit
Sister Maria (Sister Richard Marie) Visse
Birth name: Mary Suzanne Visse
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1955
First profession: 1958
Final profession: 1963
Education: Bachelor's in music, Webster College, Webster Groves, 1960
Bachelor's in nursing, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, 1987
Service in the archdiocese: Music teacher, Immaculate Conception School, Maplewood, 1961-63
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Christ the King School, Louisville, Kentucky, 1960-61
Loretto Mission in Santiago, Chile, South America, 1964-79
Science teacher, Holy Redeemer School, New York, 1979-81
Teacher, birth preparation classes in the Program de Bienestar de la Mujery Y Del Nino (Medical Brigade) in Managua, Nicaragua, 1981-82
Labor and delivery nurse, Holy Cross Hospital, Taos, New Mexico, 1988-2008
Member, Executive Committee/Forum for Loretto Community, 2007-12
Service coordinator, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2009-15
Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, 2015-present
About Sister Maria Visse: Sister Maria was received into Loretto on May 24, 1956. She was taught by the Sisters of Loretto from grade school through college. While in Chile, Sister Maria was a member of the Universidad Tecnica de Chile Chorale. The chorale's U.S. tour included a performance at Lincoln Center in New York. Working with the Medical Brigade, Sister Maria helped to set up three health clinics in Nicaragua. She resides at Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, and continues her music, performing as a vocalist and composing original works. All of Sister Maria's life she has lived out Loretto's Constitutions, especially article #7, which reads in part, "We continue to extend the boundaries of learning and justice, of human dignity and peace, of active faith and pastoral concern through works of education and efforts on behalf of the poor."
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
70th Reception of the Habit
Sister Beatrice (Sister Mary Celeste) Klebba
Birth place: Detroit
Entrance: 1951
First profession: 1953
Final profession: 1957
Education: Bachelor's in education, Webster College, Webster Groves, 1961
Master's in mathematics, Webster College, 1966
LPN degree, O'Fallon (Missouri) Technical Center, 1989
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Cronan School, St. Louis, 1955-59
Teacher, St. Paul the Apostle School, Pine Lawn, 1959-61
Teacher, St. Michael School, St. Louis, 1961-63
Teacher, St. Pius V School, St. Louis, 1963-66 and 1970-88
Teacher, St. Ann School, Normandy, 1966-67
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Augustine School, Lebanon, Kentucky, 1954-55
Teacher, St. James School, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, 1967-70
Nurse, Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1989-96
Assistant, Loretto Finance Office, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 1996-98
Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, 1998-present
About Sister Beatrice Klebba: Sister Beatrice was received into Loretto on Dec. 8, 1951. She resides at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, where she continues to perform community service. Through Sister Bea's work in schools, hospital ministry and in retirement, she finds joy and meaning in her service. Sister Bea has lived out Loretto's Constitutions as she has "sought compassionate ways to serve the suffering body of Christ."
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
70th Reception of the Habit
Sister Claudette LoPorto
Birth name: Agnes Ann LoPorto
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1951
First profession: 1953
Final profession: 1956
Education: Bachelor's in education, with a minor in social studies, Webster College, Webster Groves, 1967
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Agnes School, Springfield, Missouri, 1953-55
Teacher, Loretto Academy, Kansas City, Missouri, 1955-56
Teacher, St. Patrick School, East St. Louis, Illinois, 1956-57
Teacher, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Socorro, New Mexico, 1957-59
Teacher, Christ the King School, Daphne, Alabama, 1959-60
Teacher, Sacred Heart School, Kansas City, Missouri, 1960-65
Teacher, St. Patrick School, El Paso, Texas, 1965-68
Social work, Booth Memorial Hospital, Oakland, California, 1968-69
Social work, Sunnyvale Medical Pharmacy, Sunnyvale, California, 1970-74
Customer service, Community Bank, San Jose, California, 1974-76
Receptionist, aviation safety, Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, a research project entity sponsored by NASA and based in Mountain View, California, 1977-85
Corporate receptionist in the legal department, Apple Computer, Cupertino, California, 1985-2001
Volunteer, Senior Homeless Center, Oakland, California, 2001-06
Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2011-present
About Sister Claudette LoPorto: Sister Claudette was received into Loretto on April 25, 1951. Working at Apple for 16 years, she saw Apple founder Steve Jobs daily. "I opened the door for him every day. It was just a happy place, and I loved it," she said. Sister Claudette retired in 2001. She then served as a volunteer for several years. Her home in Danville, California, was recognized by many for its spirit of hospitality. In 2011, Sister Claudette moved to the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, where she continues her service to the Loretto community. Among her many gifts, she designs and arranges creative displays in celebration of major holidays at the Motherhouse. She also enjoys gardening. Through her varied ministries across the years, Sister Claudette has lived out Loretto's Constitutions and "helped many others live according to its spirit and teachings."
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
70th Reception of the Habit
Sister Imelda Therese Marquez
Birth name: Virginia Teresa Marquez
Birth place: Las Animas, Colorado
Entrance: 1950
First profession: 1953
Final profession: 1956
Education: Bachelor's in chemistry, with minors in mathematics and philosophy, Loretto Heights College, Denver, 1950
Master's in chemistry, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 1962.
Service in the archdiocese: Chemistry teacher, Webster College, Webster Groves, 1964-66
Mathematics and chemistry teacher, Nerinx Hall, Webster Groves, 1967-76
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Augustine High, Lebanon, Kentucky, 1953-54
Teacher, St. James High, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, 1954-56
Teacher, Mora High School, Mora, New Mexico, 1956
Teacher, Loretto Academy High, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1956-59
Teacher, St. Agnes Regional High, Springfield, Missouri, 1959-64
Teacher, Loretto Academy, El Paso, Texas, 1966-67
Worked with migrants, Greeley, Colorado, 1969
Teacher, Central Catholic High, Denver, 1976-79
Floral arranger and designer, Denver florists, 1979-86
Teacher of homebound students, Denver Public Schools, 1986-87
Supervised practice teachers in Denver, students from Durango State College, 1987-88
Teacher, Beth Jacob High School, Denver, 1987-2002
GED and math tutor, Adult Learning Source, Denver, 2002-17
Community service, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2017-present.
About Sister Imelda Therese Marquez: Sister Imelda Therese, fondly called "IT," was received into Loretto on April 25, 1951. As one can learn from Sister IT's many teaching assignments, she has carried on the charism of Loretto her whole life. Her vocation to be a Sister of Loretto shows itself in a spirit of courage and generosity. She now resides at Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky. A visitor to Loretto can often see her creativity when walking around the Motherhouse.
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
70th Reception of the Habit
Sister Marian (Sister Marian Joseph) McAvoy
Birth name: Lucille McAvoy
Birth place: Kansas City, Missouri
Entrance: 1951
First profession: 1953
Final profession: 1957
Education: Bachelor's in English, with minors in history and philosophy, Webster College, Webster Groves, 1949
Master's in English, Saint Louis University, 1963
Master's in pastoral theology, Loyola University, Chicago, 1969
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Ann School, Normandy, 1954-56
Teacher, Nerinx Hall, Webster Groves, 1957-59
Teacher, DeAndreis High School, St. Louis, 1959-61
Researcher, Center for Global Civic Culture, St. Louis, 1990-94
Adjunct faculty member, international relations, Webster University, Webster Groves, 1994-2001
Loretto community groups coordinator, St. Louis, 1997-2001
Volunteer work and community involvement, St. Louis
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Newman High School, Sterling, Illinois, 1956-57
Teacher, Elizabethtown Catholic High, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, 1961-66
Pastoral ministry project, St. Mary Parish, Fairfield, Iowa, 1966-70
Loretto work development coordinator, Loretto Staff, Loretto Center, Littleton, Colorado, 1970-78
President, Sisters of Loretto/Loretto Community, 1978-86
Member, LCWR National Board and Executive Committee
Now retired at Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky
About Sister Marian McAvoy: Sister Marian was received into Loretto on Dec. 8, 1951. Sister Marian served the congregation as president, elected for two terms, from 1978-86. Her emphasis in broadening Loretto's vision continues through her retirement years at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, where she has resided for several years. Among her varied accomplishments, she designed a project in which a number of Loretto sisters had the opportunity to live and work in third-world areas. It was a part of the nation's bicentennial celebration and a way to encourage movement from national independence to global interdependence. Sister Marian remains interested in international matters and continues to promote learning in this area.
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
70th Reception of the Habit
Sister Kathleen (Sister Wilfred) Vonderhaar
Birth place: Omaha, Nebraska
Entrance: 1951
First profession: 1953
Final profession: 1957
Education: Bachelor's in education, with minors in religion and philosophy, Webster College, Webster Groves, 1960
Master's in theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, 1969
Master's in education, specializing in the reading problems of adults, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1972
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Catherine School, St. Louis, 1954
Teacher, St. Ann, Normandy, 1954-60
Worker at Poverty Program and at halfway house for women who had been incarcerated, St. Louis, 1966-67
Religion teacher, Nerinx Hall, Webster Groves, 1967-68
Worker, Job Corps, St. Louis, 1968-70
Worker, WIN Program of Adult Basic Education and Literacy sponsored by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1968-71
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Blessed Sacrament School, Denver, 1960-64
Apostolic work, St. Leander Parish, Pueblo, Colorado, 1964-66
Planner for teachers of adult education and literacy program, Adult Education Resource Center, Colorado Department of Education, 1972-83
Program participant, sabbatical year, Loretto Third World Experience Project, Bolivia, 1976-77
Program planner, adult education and literacy program, Jefferson County, Colorado, School District, 1983-88
Academic adviser and instructor in televised learning, Regis University, Denver, 1988-98
Volunteer adult education teacher in three low-income housing projects under the sponsorship of Denver University, 1998-2003
Teacher and tutor, Marion County Detention Center, Loretto, Kentucky, 2003-15
Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary, 2015-present
About Sister Kathleen Vonderhaar: Sister Kathleen was received into Loretto on Dec. 8, 1951. She grew up in Little Flower Parish in Richmond Heights and is a Nerinx Hall alum, class of 1951. Sister Kathleen currently resides at Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary in Nerinx, Kentucky, where she continues to tutor young children. Her favorite mission is and was for many years adult education with marginalized people. She works as Loretto's Constitutions describe: "Cooperation with others engaged in creating a more just and peaceful world is crucial to fruitful mission."
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross (SL)
70th Reception of the Habit
Sister Nancy (Sister Richard Anne) Wittwer
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1951
First profession: 1953
Final profession: 1957
Education: Bachelor's in education, with a minor in mathematics, Loretto Heights College, Denver, 1962
Master's in mathematics, Saint Louis University, 1968
Service in the archdiocese: Mathematics and computer studies teacher, Nerinx Hall, Webster Groves, 1962-65 and 1973-95
Administrative staff member, Sisters of Loretto, St. Louis Staff Office, 1991-92 and 1995-2006
Founder and coordinator, Loretto Earth Network, St. Louis Staff Office, 1995-2006
Advocate for Earth, St. Louis, 2007-17
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. James School, Highwood, Illinois, 1954-57
Teacher, Holy Family School, Denver, 1957-60
Teacher, St. Vincent de Paul School, Denver, 1960-62
Teacher, Machebeuf High School, Denver, 1965-72
Teacher, St. Joseph High School, Denver, 1972-73
Member of Loretto Earth Network, Earth advocate and community service, Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, Kentucky, 2017-present
About Sister Nancy Wittwer: Sister Nancy was received into Loretto on Dec. 8, 1951. She grew up in St. Stephen Parish in St. Louis and is a Nerinx Hall alum, class of 1951. Sister Nancy fostered several collaborative projects in the St. Louis Archdiocese, including with Marian Middle School in South St. Louis and the Women's Build with Habitat for Humanity. She is a founding member of the Intercommunity Ecological Council of Women Religious. Sister Nancy resides at Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, where she continues her engagement in care of the Earth by providing leadership on Motherhouse committees and carrying out the Loretto Constitutions' emphasis to "extend the boundaries of learning and justice."