25th Reception of the Habit
Sister Concepcion “Concha” De La Cruz, SL
Birth name: Maria Concepcion De La Cruz
Birthplace: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Entrance: 1994
First profession: 1997
Final profession: 2000
Education: Bachelor’s in sociology, University of Texas in El Paso, 1988
Certificate in spiritual direction, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, 1990s
Service in the archdiocese: Pastoral ministry, St. Louis Public Schools Parents as Teachers Program, 1996-97
Assistant director of Hispanic Ministry, Archdiocese of St. Louis, 1997-2000
Pastoral assistant, St. Cecilia Parish, St. Louis, 2000-06
Hispanic ministry, St. Cecilia School, St. Louis, 2007-11
Volunteer service, with Hispanic immigrants, migrants and refugees, St. Louis area, 2006-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher on domestic abuse at area schools, a prison and a shelter for domestic abuse, Taos, New Mexico, 1994-95
Director of religious education, St. Paul Parish, El Paso, Texas, 1973-85
Confirmation catechist, La Purisima Parish, El Paso, Texas, 1985-94
Volunteer and community organizer, El Paso Interreligious Sponsoring Organization, 1989-94
About Sister Concepcion “Concha” De La Cruz SL: Putting it simply and beautifully, Sister Concha noted, “I am a servant of God.” Sister Concha was a Loretto co-member from 1988 until she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross in 1994.
60th Reception of the Habit
Sister Mary Ann (Mary Meghan) McGivern, SL
Birthplace: Bloomington, Illinois
Entrance: 1959
First profession: 1962
Final profession: 1967
Education: Bachelor’s in English, with minors in education and social studies, Webster College (now Webster University), 1964
Master’s in education from Stanford University, Stanford, California, 1971
Service in the archdiocese: Education director, Peace Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1973-76
Staff member, Peace Institute, St. Louis, 1973-82
Member of the St. Louis Catholic Worker Community, 1977-2005
Founded and first director, Midwest Coalition for Responsible Investment, leading religious orders to challenge red-lined loans, sale of the Krugerrand and weapons manufacture, 1977-82
Founder and director, Economic Conversion Project (now Peace Economy Project), 1978-81, 1988-2001
Staff director, Loretto Peace and Justice, 2001-05
Executive director, Project COPE (a prisoner re-entry program), 2006-09
Writer and criminal justice reform activist, 2010-present
Member, Loretto Executive Committee and Community Forum, 2016-18
Development director, Loretto Community, St. Louis, 2019-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Immaculate Conception High School, Highland Park, Illinois, 1964-65
Teacher, St. Mary’s Academy, Englewood, Colorado, 1965-67
Teacher, Loretto Academy, Kansas City, Missouri, 1967-70
Organizer, United Farm Workers, Florida, 1976
About Sister Mary Ann (Mary Meghan) McGivern SL: She began picketing for the United Farm Workers in St. Louis in 1972. She learned non-violent direct action, calling on shoppers to boycott grapes and lettuce and Gallo Wine. She was arrested several times then and again later during protests of military production and deployment. She called on local corporations to plan for civilian production and she spoke at U.N. conferences on conversion after the Berlin Wall fell in Germany, the UK, Moscow and Beijing and, a little later, in Panama. For 10 summers she was an observer during the “Marching Season” in Northern Ireland as a member of the Irish Parades Emergency Committee. During this time, for 29 years, she lived at the Catholic Worker, first at Karen House and then at Little House, offering housing to women and children. She learned something about what it means to have no resources.
Sister Mary Ann writes about these experiences extensively, including in a bi-weekly St. Louis Review column for two years and on KWMU as a weekly commentator for 20 years. She also wrote a cookbook and is an avid gardener.
75th Reception of the Habit, 1945
Sister Dolores Kelledy, SL
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1944
First profession: 1947
Final profession: 1950
Education: Bachelor’s in education, with a minor in social studies, Nazareth College (now Spalding University), Louisville, Kentucky, 1958
Master’s in education, Webster College (now Webster University), 1969
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Pius, St. Louis, 1956-60
Teacher, St. Ann, Normandy, 1960-63
Teacher, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Baden, 1963-65
Superior and principal, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Louis, 1965-70
Teacher, Jackson Public School, St. Louis, 1970-75
Teacher, Walnut Park Branch School, St. Louis, 1975-77
Teacher, Mark Twain School, St. Louis, 1977-82
Teacher, St. Louis Magnet Public Schools, St. Louis, 1982-83
Teacher, Ames Public School, St. Louis, 1983-90
Teacher, St. Louis Board of Education, St. Louis, 1990-94
Teacher, Shepard School, St. Louis, 1994-97
Teacher aide, Cathedral School, St. Louis, 1994-97
Remedial teacher, St. Martin of Tours, St. Louis, 1997-2004
Welcome greeter, Kutis Funeral Home, 2004-10
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Holy Family School, Denver, 1947-50
Teacher, Christ the King, Louisville, Kentucky, 1950-56
About Sister Dolores Kelledy SL: Sister Dolores entered from Sacred Heart Parish in the City of St. Louis, a parish from which a number of vocations came. She taught for 57 years. Her favorite class was second grade. She particularly enjoyed preparing youngsters for First Communion. After teaching, she served at Kutis Funeral Home, where she was a welcome greeter. Sister Dolores retired in 2012 and moved to Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky She writes, “I enjoy it very much, living with old friends. I am so blessed to be at Loretto. The staff is so wonderful. God is a step ahead of us!” Sister Dolores passed away Aug. 30, 2020.
