News & Current Events

Download below the latest news from IBVM NGO office at the UN

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Our new and updated 2019 Loretto Event was a success!  Thanks to all who donated, attended, volunteered, and contributed.  A very special thank you to Megon McDonough and Peter Polzak for performing hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.  "Dedicated to the Ones We Love" was a fun time for our sisters, friends, donors, staff, and all who were able to attend this year!  Click the file below to read the program book from the event.  

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Download the JPIC Calendar HERE

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The South Asia Province June-August Newsletter has arrived.  Click below to download.

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Our IBVM history has many beautiful, wonderful experiences. As I look at the clock in my office I remember wonderful times of liturgies, meetings, and happy memories. This clock, however, has another memory. On Tuesday, August 28, 1990 at 3:27 p.m. a tornado blew through Plainfield, Crest Hill, Joliet, Illinois and other nearby towns at 250-350 m.p.h.  St. Mary Immaculate Church and School were devastated as well as the town of Plainfield and many others. Sister Mary Keenan IBVM, the principal of the school and Gloria Sanchez, a young woman who taught music, were killed inside the school. The clock had surviv...

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Human trafficking is an extreme human rights violation and an impediment to the United Nations Sustainable Goal as recognized in Agenda 2020 target 16.2.  In the weeks to come, we ask you to respond to the each of the five A’S  - Adopt, Attend, Adhere, Allocate, Address demand. ADOPT an action-oriented approach to prevent human trafficking, which recognizes the systemic issues that create vulnerability to exploitation, especially in women and children.  Respond to these vulnerabilities through gender-sensitive, age-appropriate strategies throughout a person’s life...

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You can download the current House of Prayer below.

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Adapted from Better Companies, Better World            by Linda Haydock, SNJM A powerful alliance is formed when religious women and men, ecumenical and interfaith groups, and non-profit partners bring their faith to bear in boardroom of the largest corporations in the world. In twenty years, there are many accomplishments in addressing human trafficking through share holder advocacy. Four areas are noteworthy: Hotels/Airports: The result of partnerships that have been devoted to addressing sex trafficking taking place in hotels and through airline travel is remark...

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Download the current newsletter from Casa Loreto and see "What's Happening" in the global IBVM world!

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Below is the second part of a five part story about the life of Reverend Mother Teresa Dease, who founded the North American Branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Loretto Sisters.  She was a woman of faith, courage and love—a true daughter of Mary Ward.  The first part covered her life from birth until she left Dublin with her companions to begin a new mission in Toronto, Canada. This part covers the journey from Dublin to the New World, finally arriving at Toronto. Sr. Theresa Dease, as she is known at this point of her life, is a courageous young woman, following the path that Go...

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Attached you will find a request for prayers and information from Elizabeth Cotter IBVM, Vice Postulator Cause of Mary Ward. Can you help?  

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The IBVM UN NGO Office have just released a Special Edition of UN Update on Human Trafficking.   It gives and excellent overview of the work of the Mary Ward Family at the global, continental, national, regional and local levels. It is also an excellent learning tool as it contains a lot of valuable information. We encourage the members of our network worldwide to engage with the content and use it for conversations and other aspects of your work and life. The issue is serious. Human trafficking is growing in spite of all the efforts. However we just have to trust that, with time, effort and constancy of mem...

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July 8, 2019 We, the JPIC Circle of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (all IBVMs and Companions), find the conditions and treatment of children and families seeking asylum at the U.S./ Mexico border to be deplorable, heinous and unacceptable.  We are demanding that our elected officials, the members of the U.S. Congress, provide all that is necessary to meet their needs: housing,food, clothing, physical and mental health care and safety.  It is mandatory that the necessary steps be established for them to remain in the United States while pursuing their asylum. ...

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June Issue of Connecta 86 is now available.

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The latest edition of "It's Your World" from the IBVM UN NGO office is now available to download.  Previous editions can be found HERE.

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Below is the first of a five part story about the life of Reverend Mother Teresa Dease, who founded the North American Branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Loretto Sisters.  She was a woman of faith, courage and love—a true daughter of Mary Ward.  I hope you enjoy her story. Cindy Langlois, IBVM Today, on the occasion of my sixtieth birthday, I feel called to look back over my life.  It certainly has taken some unexpected twists and turns over the years.  I was born on May 3, 1820, the eldest of five children.  My childhood years were good, and not unusual in any...

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What happens when the IBVM artists, musicians and writers are gathered together for a Conversation Circle?  Simply put, dynamism thrives.  We were called together certainly to connect and possibly network, but also to address Call 2b…”Challenge our artists, musicians, and writers, to create materials and images that evoke our world’s reality and our response to it.” With 15 sisters (plus our two facilitators) from seven countries, and that many different accents, we came to appreciate internationality in a new way.  The two weeks in the setting of Maryholme, Roche’s Point, O...

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News covering March - May from the South Asia Province can be downloaded below.

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Long time Companions, Roger and Kitty Schiltz, recently welcomed asylum seekers at the border.  Learn about their experience at the Respite Center in McAllen, Tx.

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Mary Catherine Spatz, IBVM Entered Life - May 1, 1929 Entered Religious Life - September 8, 1947 Entered Eternal Life - February 27, 2019 May She Rest In Peace Reflection for Mary Catherine Spatz, IBVM given by Rosemary Lynch, IBVM Obituary 

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The January Newsletter from the South Asia Province is available.

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On January 23rd, the Wheaton IBVM staff welcomed the Franciscan Sisters and staff to celebrate Mary Ward Day!     

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Hidden Treasures in the IBVM Archives   One of the fascinating parts of working with archives is discovering treasures from the past.  Most recently we have been inventorying all of the pictures that have accumulated here over the decades.  The treasure we found is a picture of the very first chapel on the Wheaton property. In 1946, when the Wheaton property was purchased, the only occupied building was the House of the Seven Gables. It was occupied by sisters who were in their initial stage of training and probation, plus two sisters who directed them.   The House ...

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The IBVM Choir welcomes all singers! To learn more, please contact Anne Hyzy, IBVM at 630 373 0126 or email

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The July issue of the US Province Newsletter is available here.

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The latest issue of Connections is now available online.  Featured in this issue is "Redefining Retirement"; an inspiring look at our retired sisters at Casa San Carlo. Current Issue Past Issues can be found HERE

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The dedication of the Plaque honoring the IBVM legacy was held on June 12th.  Sisters, Associates and friends attended the event hosted by The Pulte Company.     CLICK HERE to view the video posted by the Daily Herald.   Photos from the event have been posted.

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The photos are in from the 3rd Annual Loreto Sisters Appreciation Tea held May 5, 2018.  An Irish Tea was the theme this year and over 100 people attended.  The Phoenix IBVM Associates proudly host this event every spring.  View the entire photo album.  

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