Villa Loretto

A rural nursing home in Wisconsin that has become much more

These five Sister Servants of Christ the King run Villa Loretto. In their nursing home they involve hundreds of volunteers and contribute to the surrounding community with much-loved services and attractions.

The visitors’ bureau in fond Du Lac, Wisconsin makes sure to list Villa Loretto among the chief attractions.

“Pet a llama or see the fainting goats at this unusual ranch run by nuns — part of the retirement complex they operate. There are more than 200 animals to see and photograph: peacocks to Clydesdales and llamas to emus; beautiful gardens and fish ponds; gift shop; public lunchroom, snack bar, and Nun Better Bakery stocked with homemade cookies and pizza. Customized pre-arranged group tours may include nun-driven hayrides, spinning and weaving demonstrations,
games, lunch and more.”

Founded in 1965 by Mother Mary Rose Schulte, Villa Loretto (villalorettonh.org) began as a nursing home in this rural farming community surrounded by lakes, hills and valleys. It has since become much more.

The Sister Servants of Christ the King have been living the Focolare spirituality of unity along with the Franciscan spirituality in their community since 1975. They live the Gospel in everyday life with particular emphasis on mutual love and the desire to contribute to fulfilling the prayer of Jesus, “That they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). Their daily renewal of their commitment to keep Jesus always present among them through their love for one another has made their small community a guiding light for the town and surrounding area.

Presently there are 72 residents in the Villa Loretto nursing home and Villa Rosa, the assisted living wing, with 101 employees and more than 50 volunteers. Everyone is keenly aware of the spirituality of unity that animates the lives of the sisters, and many join them as part of one big family guided by the desire to treat each person they meet as they would Jesus. Many employees have been there for years, and one recently commented: “I had found another job with better pay, but after a year, I left and came back here. What we live here is worth much more than money!”

One resident, a devout Muslim from India, expresses the atmosphere of family that has been created. Initially it was difficult for her to live in a different culture where she didn’t speak the language; she was unaccustomed to the food, and her family lived three hours away in Chicago. The sisters and the staff immediately went to work preparing food she liked, finding ways for her to practice her faith and to feel part of the community. Although her relatives eventually located a nursing home in Chicago where other Muslims from India resided and moved her there, she was back after a few months, having asked to return where she felt at home.

The sisters raise sheep, goats, chickens, donkeys, horses as well as exotic animals like emus, llamas, alpacas and peacocks. Inside there are aviaries with colorful birds, placed in the common rooms for residents to enjoy. Every animal has a name. Besides the therapeutic effect on the elderly residents, the wide variety of animals makes this property a great attraction for the surrounding community.

In 1992 the sisters opened their home to children with special needs who often come from troubled backgrounds. Close to 500 have passed through this program, which is offered on weekends and sometimes for slightly longer periods. The children help care for the animals and perform other light jobs. This helps them mature, become more emotionally stable, gain new values and adapt to a new lifestyle.

Many return years later with their spouses and children, hoping in some way to return the love they received by reaching out to others. Other children participate in a week-long summer day camp that accommodates some 30 children at a time.

Every summer Villa Loretto hosts a “family fun day” and fundraiser for families of residents and employees and the surrounding community. They offer food, carnival-style games, booths with crafts, rides and various animal activities. Hundreds of people participate, and the number grows every year.

Some years ago the sisters began making bread and cakes to sell, calling their products Nun Better. As an added support to their work, donations of vegetables, fruit, clothes, blankets and yarn are constantly received from the surrounding farmers, factories and businesses in the area.
Unused items are given away to people in the community.

Families in the area feel so much at home that they often come just to walk on the grounds with their children and grandchildren who are delighted to see all the animals. Some might not be able to afford a visit to a zoo, but here they enjoy it all free of charge.

Visitors’ bureaus, tour companies and newspapers like the Chicago Tribune and Milwaukee Sentinel have featured Villa Loretto as one of the top places to visit in Wisconsin. On average, some 1,500 people visit each year. Many leave their written comments: “There is such a feeling of peace”; “There’s a special atmosphere here”; “This is where I want to come when I’ll need a nursing home!”

Halloween
Generations are brought together and close ties are established along a journey through the pumpkin patch, haunted woods and trick or treating with Villa Loretto residents at Halloween.

Christmas
A tradition for families, the annual live Christmas pageant is held in the barn, and the animals are part of the play. Llamas double as camels, while lambs, goats, donkeys and a calf complete the picture. A choir accompanies the story of Christ’s birth in a high-quality musical.
Visitors say they’re reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Town fairs
In the spring, summer and fall, the sisters take their animals to town fairs in the surrounding area and set up a petting zoo. Seeing the sisters in their habits attending to the animals certainly leads to some interesting conversations with visitors.

Animal therapy. The Sisters raise a great variety of exotic and ordinary animals for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors.

—with Jade Giacobbe

To learn more about the Sister Servants of Christ the King and Villa Loretto go on villalorettonh.org