A LOVING LOOK AT OUR PARISH:
As per our founding Pastor, Rev. Walter J. Galus, C.R.

And so it was done! A modest gathering! A simple ceremony! After the small group of participants disbanded, the corner-stone was placed into the trunk of the parochial car for safe-keeping. Later in the week, it was brought to the construction site, there positioned and cemented in place. The traditional metal box placed into the cavity of the stone has in it several mementos: A Rosary in honor of Our Lady of Loretto, a document of Dedication, authored by Father Galus for the entire parish community; and a selection of photos from the groundbreaking ceremonies of November 1, 1959.

The first use of the church took place on Sunday, October 16, 1960.

Our Lady of Loretto Elementary Grade School began its separate and corporate community life, as teachers and learners, in September, 1960. The school began with all eight grades. The School Sisters of Notre Dame had graciously accepted the task of staffing the school.

To administrate and conduct a parochial school community requires many heads and hands. It certainly requires a definite organization and know-how. It calls for definite skills in teaching techniques -- but most of all, for that perceptiveness of mind and heart in the formation of young souls in the living image of Christ. The School Sisters of Notre Dame brought this foundation stone of education to Loretto's school.

As the hot dog, hamburger, and apple pie are common to the national life of the U.S.A., so is the parish picnic to the parochial life of the Church. And so it was ... and is...with the parish of Our Lady of Loretto of Spanish Lake. The first picnic ever sponsored by Loretto took place on Sunday, August 21, 1960. In evidence of the above, when the day's income and expenses were tallied and balanced, the Loretto picnic on August 21, 1960 showed a net income of TEN CENTS! (Verified cf. 1960 by public accountants, Galus & Galus).

OUR NEW CHURCH BUILDING:

As our parish and area grew, it was decided that a new church was necessary for our Parish life, After waiting almost a full year -- from September of 1982 to August of 1983 983 inclusive, the new church structure of Our Lady of Loretto was ready for use. The first parish Masses were celebrated on August 27th and 28th 1983 with the Saturday 5:15 P.M. and the Sunday 7:30, 9,00, 10:30 and 12-00 Noon. It was an exciting moment of experiencing something totally new and comprehensive of parish life and prayer. The five Masses were practically filled to capacity. The high emotional level was very much in evidence: smiles, tears, awe, wonder, and nostalgia, too. Comments of delightedness were nigh universal among the worshipers. A favorite response marked three main traits of the structurevisibility, audibility, and prayerfulness at the services. All were impressed by the stark simplicity of the interior with no effort to dress or ornament any area of the church. It was a happy moment of realization!

As so Our Lady of Loretto Parish continues to serve our changing community. You are welcome to join our parish community.

Fr. Galus, our founding Pastor loved Our Lady of Loretto Parish and wrote so many appropriate descriptions of our Parish, following are two of them:

LORETTO,
you are set to be a light in the midst at darkness.
You are not in the depths of a valley, not on the summit top of hills.
No! Your place -- your simple setting, is noisy Redman Avenue/ Bellefontaine Road in Spanish Lake...
in the hastle and bustle of men, women, and children
hurring to church and school and field,
to shouts and cheers and
groans of how the play has gone!
We bask in your light;
dispet teh darkness lurking close to us.
LORETTO,
you are a beacon-light!
Let your beam catch our eye, our mind, our heart... ..
and escort us, safely, day by day, to our final destiny.
God,
our Eternal and Boundless Light!

And his thoughts on the importance of being a welcoming parish community: