You’re Invited!
Saturday, June 14, 2025
11A.M. – 2P.M. | Wheaton Auditorium
26W171 Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL, 60187
Entrance 5 (Handicap Accessible) or Entrance 7
The Mary Ward Symposium honors the bold spirit and transformative vision of Mary Ward and the Loretto Sisters, highlighting their lasting influence on education, social justice, and faith. Discover how the legacy lives on through the powerful work being carried out in communities today in the “spirit of Mary Ward.”
Enjoy lunch followed by the program featuring guest speaker from Ireland, Sr. Elizabeth Cotter, IBVM, Postulator for Cause of Venerable Mary Ward, and honoring our 2025 Spirit of Mary Ward Recipients, Mary Novotny and Marianne Solorio.
Please Note: Due to room seating capacity, we advise getting tickets early. We will do our best to accommodate seating requests. Reserving a table of 6 (full table) assures you will sit with those in your group! Thank you!
About Our Featured Speaker: Sr. Elizabeth Cotter, IBVM, JCD
Elizabeth Cotter IBVM, JCD, spent 27 years in 2nd level education teaching religious education, history and Latin. She was a secondary school principal in Loreto Abbey, Dalkey, for 5 years and in Loreto College St. Stephen’s Green for 11 years. In 2001, she was asked to study canon law and obtained license and PhD in Saint Paul’s, Ottawa.
Sr. Liz was appointed Vicar for Religious for Archdiocese of Dublin and is the first woman to hold this position in Ireland. She established Canon Law Programme in Jesuit Institute for Theology and Philosophy in Milltown, Dublin, in 2006.
In 2015, Sr. Liz was appointed Postulator for Cause of Venerable Mary Ward by General Leader Noelle Corscadden and became the first Loreto Sister to be jointly accountable to both the Loreto and CJ General Leadership.
Our 2025 Spirit of Mary Ward Award Recipients:
The Spirit of Mary Ward Award recognizes individuals, from all walks of life, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, or other personal characteristics, who embody the values and mission of Mary Ward and the charisms of the IBVM Sisters in their personal and/or professional lives. This prestigious award celebrates those who demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities and beyond while exemplifying the four pillars of the Loretto Sisters: integrity, justice, freedom and joy (felicity).
Mary Novotny – Phoenix, AZ
Mary Novotny is a very active member of Ss. Simon and Jude Parish, Ss. Simon and Jude Chapter of Ss. Vincent de Paul, and dedicates countless hours of service and love to the Loreto Sisters as leader of all AZ-based, IBVM Companions of Mary Ward. Mary is a wife, mother, and more recently a proud grandmother. She builds community wherever she goes, walking with compassion, kindness, and grace. She also gives generous help and time to the Kino Border Initiative, a program helping migrants on their first entry at the border. Mary nourishes her own spiritual and social life through participation in a Contemplative Prayer Share on Zoom, Book Club, working on social justice matters, and more!
Marianne Solorio – Chicago, IL
Marianne Solorio is Director and Administrator of Mary Ward Center located in the South Chicago area. Marianne is a proud wife, and mother of two. Her spirituality is quiet, but constant. Prior her work at Mary Ward Center, Marianne worked for OLG Parish and has dedicated countless hours to advocacy groups for immigrants and refugees. Marianne loves being able to serve the people in her community and empower students and families. One of Marianne’s favorite Mary Ward quotes is, “Women in time to come will do much”. It is a favorite because she said that she sees and experiences this every day at Mary Ward Center.
Lunch:
Enjoy your choice of chicken picatta and/or fettuccini alfredo (vegetarian), grilled asparagus lightly seasoned to perfection, seasoned and roasted chateau potatoes, harvest salad mixed with greens, diced apples, cranberries, red grapes, walnuts and citrus vinaigrette, and dessert varieties.
Support Our Event – Sponsorship:
In order to help offset event costs and assure Sisters dine at no cost, Silver and Gold Sponsorship tiers are available when registering for the event and purchasing tickets. Gold Sponsorship – $500 or Silver Sponsorship – $250. We will be recognizing all generous sponsors within our event program and your table will feature a reserved seating sponsorship sign at the event. Should you want to anonymously support the Sisters and this event, please checkmark this when completing your event registration.