Sister Theresa Frey, IBVM, was a teacher for 30 years including two years in Toronto where she taught after she took her final vows as an IBVM (Institute of Blessed
Virgin Mary) Sister. That followed 28 years of teaching in various Saskatchewan communities before she took up parish work for the Regina Archdiocese as an administrator in parishes around Sedley and Marquis, Saskatchewan. Since retiring “for the third time” she settled in Regina where she has volunteered and served in Regina churches. In recognition of her varied vocation throughout her 65 years as teacher, parish administrator and volunteer, the Regina Catholic School Board, at a February 2 luncheon honoring men and women in consecrated life, presented her with a Wilf Perreault print. She had no idea she was to receive the print and was very surprised and pleased.
Frey described her vocation, in an interview with the PM, as a call from God. “I was a typical teenager. I went to dances and had boyfriends but there always seemed to be something missing in my heart. I know now it was God calling me to service.”
She is the middle child in a family of 14 who grew up on a farm near Kronau, Saskatchewan, about a half hours drive southeast of here.. “We went to public school and learned our catechism at our mother’s knee and at church,” said Frey. Well known Archdiocesan retired priest Joe Frey is Sister Frey’s brother.
She along with Sister Veronica Hager also now living in Regina entered the Loreto novitiate in Toronto in 1950 and both in time returned to Saskatchewan. Sister Hagar opened an art studio in Regina where she taught adults pottery, oil and watercolor painting.. Both are now retired and Sister Theresa continues to “help out.” Sister Hagar’s eyesight has prevented her from being involved. Sister Theresa celebrated the 65th anniversary with her community in Toronto in September 2015. Sister Hagar was not well at the time and was unable to attend.
As an aside, the IBVM Sisters are generally known as Loreto Sisters. It goes back to their foundress who had a particular devotion to the Holy House of Loreto at Loreto, Italy. The legend is that the house in Nazareth in which the Blessed Virgin conceived and raised Jesus was, because of political unrest, moved by angels several times until it landed in Loreto. There is an ancient small house encased by a Basilica at the site and it is a major site for pilgrimages. It is also the site where, according to the website, many miracles occur. IBVM convents became known as Loreto Convents and the Sisters in them as Sisters of Loreto
