On a hot, humid Thursday in June, 1993, I was sitting on a porch swing at the Hindman Settlement School in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky/Appalachia. As I sat and enjoyed the summer breeze, I reflected on all I had seen… houses with no running water, no phones, dirt roads, and more. After a while, I heard this quiet voice saying: “Loretta, you have to come and work in Appalachia! As a nurse and as a Catholic Sister, you have much to offer the people.” I looked around the yard and said: “Who, me? I’m a big-city girl and I usher at Playhouse Square.” Well, I moved to Irvine, KY three months later. God not only “called me,” but had a job waiting for me. After a year of discernment and planning, I founded the Interfaith Wellness Ministry, a small non-profit, faith-based health education ministry with a focus on body, mind and spirit health. This family and children-centered ministry has grown over the years to encompass school readiness, clothing, health education, nutrition/cooking and exercise programs. Our body fitness classes are well known for serving adults with chronic illness. Our collaboration has impacted the lives of countless persons.
