The journey of the Loreto Sisters began in 1607 with an     

                                                                         Englishwoman named Mary Ward.  She held the then radical belief 

                                                                         that by educating young women, they would be empowered to take  

                                                                         care of the faith. With vision, missionary zeal, and Christ’s love,

                                                                         the Loreto Sisters of the Institute of Blessed Virgin Mary was  

                                                                         founded.

                                                                        The Arizona journey began in 1954 when Father Paul Smith, the

                                                                        founding pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude, was seeking a group of nuns

                                                                        to establish a Catholic elementary school.  He contacted the Loreto

                                                                        Sisters in Navan, Ireland, who eagerly accepted the challenge.  Five

                                                                        brave pioneers arrived at Ss. Simon & Jude to begin a mission that

                                                                        has greatly affected the lives of children for over 50 years.

Today there are fourteen Loreto Sisters at Ss. Simon and Jude,

all highly educated, and always sharing Mary Ward’s core values:

Freedom, Joy, Justice, Sincerity, and Truth. Wherever they go,

the Loreto Sisters immerse themselves in the entire life of the

school and parish. 

A substantial number of the  current Ss. Simon & Jude student

body are children of alumni.  This is a testament to the Loreto

Sisters’ long-standing tradition of education.  After more than

35  years, Sr. Raphael Quinn remains active in her role as principal.

The spirit at Ss. Simon and Jude is openhearted and open-minded.  The Loreto Sisters’ philosophy is to keep the original values that inspired their missionary vision. Children of various backgrounds and cultures thrive in the rich educational atmosphere, because five brave young women with Mary Ward’s vision said, “Yes”.”

HISTORY OF THE LORETO SISTERS