Sister Loretta Jasper — 50 years

PARENTS: Leo and Cecelia Konzem Jasper
HOMETOWN: Cawker City, Kan.
RECEIVED INTO CONGREGATION:  Aug. 15, 1964
RELIGIOUS NAME: Sister Anna Marie
EDUCATION:
Marymount College, Salina (bachelor’s degree in home economics); Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo. (master’s in mental health counseling); Mid-America Nazarene University, Olathe, Kan. (post-grad internship in play therapy)
MISSIONS:
1966-1969   Silver City, N.M.,, teaching elementary school, and religious education at parishes throughout Grant County
1969-1974   Sacred Heart School and Parish, Aurora, Ill., teaching and religious education/parish outreach
1976-1979    St. Michael Parish, Fairbury, Neb., religious education and pastoral ministry
1980-1982   Valley Hope Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, Boonville, Mo., chaplain
1982-1986   Kirksville, Mo., Memphis, Tenn., and Jacksonville, Fla., in-patient addictions therapist
1987-1990   Manna House of Prayer, Concordia, administrator
1991-2009    Kansas City metro area; Comprehensive mental health services/addictions therapist/administrator; private practice for addictions and behavioral health
2005-2006   Sri Lanka; three delegations post-tsunami, rebuilding human spirits
2007-present   Junction City, Kan.-Fort Riley; counseling soldiers, spouses and children affected by mobility/deployments (on post, summer camps and in schools); behavorial therapist, foster families
2008-present   Red Cross disaster response as a volunteer mental health counselor

I hail from Cawker City, Kan. St. Theresa’s School and St. Peter and Paul Parish were the initial centers for my education and developing faith life beyond my family. I was nurtured with the heart of the Sisters of St. Joseph by having women of stellar zeal as teachers and mentors through grade school, high school, and throughout my years within the Congregation of St. Joseph.

I was raised on a farm, into a family for whom the “dear neighbor” was almost synonymous with family.

It was natural for local families and neighbors to participate in meeting the needs and in celebrating the accolades of each other through the neighborhood, the local community, the church. These are truly my origins as a Sister of St. Joseph, where mentoring in the CSJ charism and mission began.

Service with the “dear neighbor” — with sleeves rolled-up and heart open — also includes my being fully aware that wherever there is a Sister of St. Joseph, there is the Congregation of St. Joseph.

Living each ordinary moment with the desire to live through active and inclusive love continues to be expressed in God through me and those with whom I come in contact. I have absolutely everything I need: faith, family, friends, education, gifts. The more I have, the more I am called to share.

Whether I am listening with military-affiliated kiddos in the midst of a school day, with persons  with  concerns related to behavioral health and addictions or with persons affected
by floods, fires and tsunamis, whether I am in Sri Lanka, Germany, Colorado Springs, Fort Riley or Concordia… God is always with me.

I carry each Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia in the pocket of my heart, as I know each CSJ carries me in hers. What better way to acknowledge and celebrate jubilee.