LORETTO WHEATON'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY, FEBRUARY 2006

February 28, 2006

Dear Friend,

An anniversary is a great reason to celebrate. Receiving an invitation to a 25th or a 50th anniversary is always a cause of joy. On September 18, 2005, Loretto High School in Sacramento began a celebration of its 50th year. Over a thousand people participated in an outdoor liturgy on the newly renovated grounds. This homecoming sparked many class reunions. Anniversaries call us to remember the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future.

Here at Loretto Wheaton we are preparing to celebrate a 60th anniversary. On June 28, 1946, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary moved into its new home in Wheaton, Illinois. When we look back on those beginning days, we marvel at the courage, determination and foresight that our Sisters had when they pursued their dream to open a novitiate for young women. Purchasing the Wheaton property meant borrowing money when they had no credit, calling on family, friends and other religious communities for support and trusting in the providence of God that all would be well.

In 1946 our new home included the original large structure known as the House of Seven Gables, several other smaller buildings and eleven acres with the option to buy more land. IBVM Sisters Lillian Ryan, Mary Teresa Kelly, St. Frederick Kompare and St. Wilfrid (Jane) Cushing were sent to prepare the house for the arrival of the novices in August. By the end of September, Loretto Convent had ten full time residents. Among the early residents were Sisters Petronella Lacey, Mary Simpkin, Mary Alfred Guillard, Lucy Romano and Mary Catherine Spatz who have great stories to tell of our humble beginnings.

Maintaining the facilities and paying the bills were constant concerns. Within 15 years the original community of ten had grown to forty-four. The coming year saw that number increasing far beyond capacity. Realizing that we were outgrowing the original house necessitated a new dream for expansion. In 1961 a groundbreaking ceremony was held for Mary Ward House of Studies. This facility would house novices, postulants and junior professed as they continued to develop their call to religious life and to pursue their undergraduate degrees in education.

In August 1963, not only did our young Sisters in formation move into our new facility, but an Infirmary was also opened for our senior professed Sisters who needed assisted living and nursing care. The original house continued to be a home for the Sisters who went out each day to teach at St. Francis High School in Wheaton and St. John of the Cross in Western Springs.

Our early days in Wheaton were days of growth and expansion. We were challenged to build and acquire more property. In 1950 ground was broken for Queen of the Rosary Chapel. We also purchased 42 more acres of land. A kindergarten, under the direction of Frances Clarke, IBVM, was opened in September, 1952. Now the Loretto Early Childhood Center, under the direction of Julie Stapleton, IBVM, has taken its place.

Things have changed over the years. Our challenge has always been to meet the needs of the times. We no longer have Mary Ward House of Studies. In its place Loretto Center provides a ministry of hospitality to welcome individuals and groups for retreats, conferences and meetings. The U.S. Provincial Offices, Loretto Extension Service, IBVM Office of Development and the Circle of God’s Friends Retreat Program are housed in the former Mary Ward House of Studies building.

Loretto Convent in Wheaton is the home of the U.S. Province of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Seventeen Sisters are full time residents and ten IBVM Sisters arrive each day to minister through internal service. We also have a support staff of office personnel, maintenance, nursing assistance and food service.

As you can well imagine, the expense of operating Loretto Wheaton is astronomical. We seek through the Office of Development to raise funds to care for the needs of our retired and infirm Sisters, to support our ministries and to maintain Loretto Wheaton as a center for ministry, hospitality and homecoming. 

We ask you to support our 60th Anniversary. Sending your donation will unite us as we remember sixty years of very good times. Religious celebrations, Garden Parties, Cake Walks, Loretto Galas, Loretto Fests and Early Childhood Education programs are some of the happy memories we hope you will recall. Celebrate with us as we experience heartfelt gratitude for sixty years of ministry, friendship and support nurtured here at Loretto Wheaton. We urge you to walk with us into the future as we face the many challenges that will undoubtedly come our way.

Sincerely,

Kay Foley, IBVM

Director of Development

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