Catholic Transcript Online

Franciscan Sister Loretta Francis Mann at her retirement party.  (Photo by Lenora Sumsky)

 BLOOMFIELD – It has always been about the children for Franciscan Sister Loretta Francis Mann.

“I have loved every minute,” said Sister Loretta, who retired recently after serving Catholic education for 58 years. “I have never regretted a day that I spent in Catholic education.”

A Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia and graduate of Villanova University, Sister Loretta taught for 18 years in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Allentown, Pa.

“I always wanted to be a teacher, even as a young child,” she said.

When she received her first teaching assignment, a classroom of 78 first-grade students, Sister Loretta said, “It was a dream come true.”

After Sister Loretta taught for almost two decades, her religious community asked her to study school administration at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Although reluctant to leave the children, she agreed, earning a Master of Arts degree in educational administration. She subsequently was a college instructor and Catholic elementary school principal.

She came to Hartford in 1978 as the curriculum coordinator and was appointed assistant superintendent in 1990.

In the latter role, she was charged with providing oversight, guidance and direction to the principals, yet she managed to stay connected to the children by frequently visiting schools throughout the Archdiocese.

“Sister Loretta loved going into classrooms to visit students,” said Dale R. Hoyt, archdiocesan school superintendent.

“Whenever we were dealing with pressing issues relating to personnel, curriculum or the implementation of new models, Sister Loretta’s first comment was always, ‘How will this affect the children?’” said Mr. Hoyt.

“Sister Loretta has done a tremendous amount of work supporting all the principals and furthering the mission of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford,” said Patricia O’Neil Tiezzi, principal at St. Dominic School in Southington, who worked with Sister Loretta from the time when she became assistant superintendent.

“She loves children and hugs from the little ones,” said Mrs. O’Neil Tiezzi.

“We are certainly going to miss Sister Loretta,” said Mark Monnerat, principal of St. Joseph School in Bristol. “She was very spiritual, a great leader and a wonderful role model and shepherd for our flock.”

To recognize and thank Sister Loretta for her enthusiasm and dedication to Catholic education for nearly six decades, a retirement party was held in her honor at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, where the Office of Catholic Schools is located.

Nearly 200 people attended. Catholic educators, fellow religious, dignitaries, friends and representatives from every diocese in New England came together to commemorate her career and celebrate her contributions.

“Over the years, countless children, families, and adults have been impacted by the contributions made by Sister Loretta Francis Mann,” Archbishop Henry J. Mansell said in opening the reception.

“Sister Loretta is well known in the Hartford Archdiocese, throughout New England and the nation,” said Daniel F. Curtin, executive director, National Catholic Education Association’s Department of Chief Administrators of Catholic Education, who presented Sister Loretta with a Presidential Award plaque commemorating her service and commitment to Catholic education.

Numerous speakers took to the podium to share their experiences, perspectives and good wishes. All four superintendents who served Hartford archdiocesan schools with Sister Loretta, Father James G. Fanelli, Brother John McGovern, Father Zigford J. Kriss and Mr. Hoyt, also spoke.

Although no children attended, their presence was felt in scrapbooks and a corresponding video presentation that contained photos, greetings, congratulatory messages and thanks from every archdiocesan schoolchild. On behalf of students at St. Mary Magdalen School in Oakville, Julie Pion, principal, presented a “Letterman-Style Top 10 List” of things Sister Loretta should do during her retirement.

The No. 1 suggestion? Write a book.

Children’s artwork and creativity also were on display. Students at St. Rose of Lima School in New Haven fashioned floral arrangements and decorations. Students at St. Lawrence School in West Haven made a huge and colorful banner.

Music and song were also a part of the festivities. Students in the Future Musicians Inc. All-State Band played, before the party began, a collection of songs that Sister Loretta said “were from my era.”

Father Bob Condron of Assumption Church in Ansonia and Father Maurice Maroney of St. Gabriel Church in Milford offered an impromptu serenade.

Christian Cashman, principal at East Catholic High School in Manchester, provided piano accompaniment for Mio Sotis Betencourt, a third grade teacher at St. Francis Xavier School in Waterbury, who sang “The Prayer.” The Northwest Catholic High School Women’s Choir also sang.

“It was a wonderful party,” said Sister Loretta. “I was humbled by it. I felt so loved. It was great.”

Sister Loretta, who will celebrate her 80^th birthday later this year, will take the month of July in prayerful consideration of several part-time positions she has been offered.

“I want to go wherever God wants me,” she said.

No matter where that leads, Sister Loretta also plans to continue serving the youngest of God’s children. She will volunteer to rock and cuddle newborn babies at a local hospital.