Early Life

Sister Loretta Bonokoski Schnell was born on June 15th, 1931 in a good and virtuous Catholic family. Her parents were Anton Bonokoski from Russia and Zita Schnell from Romania. She had four brothers and six sisters. Her sister Frances Bonokoski also became an RNDM.

Nutured Faith Through Education

Loretta was a woman with a profound faith nurtured initially by her family and strengthened by her Catholic education at school in Saskatchewan. Then Loretta studied at the University of  Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and Brandon University, in Brandon, Manitoba.

Chef and Teacher

Loretta generously served as chef in the convent kitchens and also as a teacher in various schools in Canada. Then the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions were invited by the Canadian Franciscans to open a mission in Peru.

Chosen for Service in Peru

Of the Sisters who volunteered for the Peruvian mission, Loretta (Sr. Mary Clare) was chosen to accompany Sisters Mary Jean D’ Avila (Juana Roche) and Mary Monica (Irene Oliver). They arrived in Moquegua on December 12, 1968.

Hogar Belen (Bethlehem Home)

From 1968 to 1984 Loretta worked as catechist in the Parish Center of Santa Catalina in Moquegua. In 1985, Loretta was named by the Bishop of the Diocese of Tacna and Moquegua as a Director of the Hogar Belen (Bethlehem Home).

We as a Congregation began helping a few needy children from the area and soon the home mushroomed to include orphans, disabled, neglected and abused and little boys stealing in the market.

A Person Who Loved Everybody

Loretta was a person who loved everybody and she never refused to welcome people in need, even though she was hurt many times by them. She had a strong character and a firm way of directing people around her.

Project Collaboration

Loretta welcomed many people to collaborate in this project: Father Francis Fahlman, OFM and the Canadian Franciscans, and our own RNDM Sisters. We also had lay volunteers, collaborators and foster parents from Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and others countries, as well as the “tías” (aunties) from Cuajone, Peru.

As the years of service passed many Institutions were collaborating with the Hogar.  Southern Peru Copper Corporation helped to build the first floor of the new Home in San Francisco (on the periphery of Moquegua town). The second floor was financed by the Canadian Embassy. We also have had collaboration from other institutions and individuals from various countries.

Facing Difficulties and Misunderstandings

During her 30 years as director of Hogan Belen, Loretta had to face many difficulties and misunderstandings. Despite this, Loretta was nominated as a Peace worker by the LIMAMARC Company in 2007. She was also recognized by the Mayor of Moquegua  on May 29, 2015.

People from Moquegua recognized that Sister Loretta helped needy children by giving education, protection and empowering the youth and women in technical skills. Some even went to University for further education.

Rebuilding After the 2001 Earthquake

Loretta was a very important person among the people who helped to rebuild the city during and after the Earthquake in 2001. At this time, the building of the Home was terribly damaged and for that reason the family had to relocate to the farm. At the time we had the land for a sports field and for growing vegetables. The older boys helped with the construction of small shacks to house the family. Hogar Belen is still on the farm.

Later Years

Loretta spent most of her time with the children. As the years passed, her health became weaker and weaker. Loretta received medical attention in different places like Lima, Arequipa and Cuajone (Miners’ Hospital).

In June 2015, at the age of 84, she spent time in Cuajone Hospital. The morning of the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola at 11.15 am she went to meet God. The present RNDMs were with her and together with the older sons of the Hogar, we realized her last wish, to be buried in Moquegua.

Prayers for Loretta 

The Bishop and his priests of the Dioceses were meeting in Moquegua that day and came to pray for Loretta. Many, many of the former residents of the Hogar came from Lima, Arequipa and different parts of Peru to bid farewell to Loretta in thanks for her kindness towards them.

It was remarkable how the young people played instruments and sang the whole night before the funeral. The bishop from Tacna and Moquegua declared her as the Angel of the most needy children and families of Moquegua.

In the main square during the funeral procession, the residents of Moquegua insisted that the Congregation continue to direct Hogar Belen.

Rejoicing Forever with God

Loretta, may you rejoice forever with God, interceding for us here below.