Sharing & Caring Fall 2012

Volume 23 Number 2

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Fall 2012

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www.PreciousBloodSistersDayton.org

‘He shed his Precious Blood for us’ We all know people who have made a positive difference in our life or in the lives of others. Some we call heroes, others we call angels or saints.

While we tend to put these people on pedestals and too often assume that we could never do the things they do, the truth of the matter is that each one of us carries within ourselves not only the possibility of making a difference but the responsibility to do so.

William James wrote that we should “act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta reminds us that “We can

do no great things - only small things with great love.” And Will Rogers, ever the humorist, wrote, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

Rarely do we get to make a difference in a big way: saving a drowning child, helping an elderly stranger or giving life and limb for faith or country. It happens more often in small, daily ways.

Although we can be easily overwhelmed by the need in the world, making a difference starts at home.

When we are generous, loving, forgiving, peaceful and reconciling in the one hundred feet around us, things can’t stay the same. What is

selfish, wasteful, violent and divisive on this planet is diminished. When we act as though love and goodness really are stronger than hate and evil, we change and so does the world around us. Jesus lived each day fully in the moment, right to the moment He shed his Precious Blood for us.

It is the power of the love that His Blood demonstrates which enables us to be the difference we want to see.

Sister Joyce Lehman President, Sisters of the Precious Blood

Little things can have big impact When I was a boy visiting my grandparents in Portsmouth, Ohio, I always enjoyed riding with my grandfather to take donated bread to the cloistered Sisters at St. Joseph’s Adoration Monastery.

He’d drive his old Chevrolet up the brick-lined street to the monastery, which sat at the top of a hill overlooking the city. It was a volunteer trip he’d make a couple of times a week and he did it for years. To a kid, it was just cool that grandpa helped the nuns.

Likewise, my grandmother volunteered at a consignment store that benefitted the local hospital. She bustled about the shop, enjoying her work immensely because she wanted to help.

These memories recently came alive again one Sunday as our local pastor reflected on a reading from Mark in which Jesus sent the apostles out to “proclaim repentance” and anoint the sick and cure them. In essence, the pastor said, the apostles were urged to build the kingdom of God and make a difference.

That story reminds me of our responsibility to not only spread God’s word, but to serve others and in some small way help them improve their lives. Regardless of resources, time constraints and ability, we can

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all make that positive impact on those most in need.

That’s what my grandparents did. He helped build God’s kingdom simply by taking bread to the Sisters, while she touched the needy by helping raise money for the local hospital. There isn’t a more fulfilling experience than offering your hand to someone going through a challenging time. What a blessing!

In this issue of Sharing and Caring we see how the Sisters of the Precious Blood today are living out God’s call and changing the way people live.

Deep in the hills of southeastern Kentucky Sister Margie Zureick has been reaching out to those in need – day by day – for more than 30 years. We also have an article on the Maria Anna Brunner Fund and how grants from the fund support Sisters in their various ministries. Finally, Our Lady of Kilimanjaro Sister M. Daria Mushi recently completed her medical training and returned to her native Tanzania to begin her ministry treating the poor.

In all they do, Sisters of the Precious Blood carry out God’s call to make a difference one person at a time.

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Sharing Caring

THE SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

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DAYTON, OHIO

Established in 1989, Sharing & Caring is published quarterly by the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio, to communicate news of the congregation, Precious Blood Spirituality, and to promote the sisters’ mission.

CPPS Mission Statement Urged by the redeeming love of Jesus the Christ and rooted in Eucharistic prayer, we Sisters of the Precious Blood proclaim God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.

Editor Dave Eck, Director of Communications Layout and Design Michelle Bodine, Communications Technician Address communications to: Office of Communications Sisters of the Precious Blood 4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426 Phone: (937) 274-2707 E-mail: Communications@ PreciousBloodSistersDayton.org Printing Thomas Graphics, Dayton, Ohio PRINTED WITH SOY INK ON RECYCLED PAPER

Dave Eck Director of Communications

All editorial content and photographs in Sharing & Caring are copyrighted. For reprint permission, please contact the editor at address above.

Sharing & Caring

Spirit Days focused on new membership, fun

By Dave Eck DAYTON – The annual Spirit/Jubilee Days were busy for Precious Blood Sisters as they handled several business issues, heard a presentation on new membership and celebrated the Jubilees of Sisters marking 75 and 50 years of religious life. Sisters from across the country, Chile and Guatemala returned to Dayton for the June 28-July 1 gathering, which was themed “Called to Faithful Love.”

The main topic for Spirit Days was new membership.

In her opening remarks, Sister Joyce Lehman spoke of a series of workshops by the Religious Formation Conference in which participants are seriously looking at a deep desire for change in religious life in North America. Sister Joyce encouraged Sisters to consider letting go of the old paradigm and be open to God’s desire.

“We can do this,” Sister Joyce said.

“We have the wisdom, insight, experience and the promise of a Faithful Lover who declared to be with us always. Are we willing? Willing to be contemplative, to wait, to be faithful to a future yet to come, a future for others, a future we will not see fulfilled, a future from which God will arrive to meet us? I believe we are. The next two days will give us the chance to continue our practice of contemplative waiting together, of letting go, of being with and for.

Great things await those who know how to wait.”

During the June 29 day-long presentation on membership, Adorer of the Blood of Christ Sister Maria Hughes presented data from the National Religious Vocation Conference CARA 2009 study that dispelled misconceptions about religious life.

Among the findSister Ceil Taphorn opens the Jubilee celebration during Spirit ings she shared Days. Sister Mary Lou Schmersal photo were: more than 70 percent of all embraced to invite new membership. religious communities report having “There will always be a place for new members in formation and 20 consecrated life in the church. It’s percent have five or more people in not about us changing so people formation; the average age women want to be with us. It’s that we have who entered religious life since 1992 a life that people really do feel called was 32 and 71 percent of those in ini- to, but how do they come to know tial formation are under age 40; men us?” she asked. “The message for and women are drawn to various the Sisters here is we are not invittypes of religious life; 70 percent of ing people to be younger versions of new members have at least a bachourselves but they are going to build elor’s degree and 90 percent were a religious life that is yet to be.” employed prior to entering their Congregational business reports institutes. and committee updates were on the Sister Maria urged Precious Blood agenda for June 30. Topics included Sisters to identify opportunities vocations, the Vocations Ministry within their community that could be “Spirit Days” — continued on page 4

Left, Sisters Nancy Kinross, Carolyn Hoying and Mary Garascia sing during the Saturday Jubilee celebration. Right, Sisters Carmen Voisard, Rosalie Kastner, Marie Kopin, Nancy Kinross, Carolyn Hoying and Mary Garascia open their gifts after Saturday prayer. Sister Mary Lou Schmersal and Dave Eck photos

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— continued from page 3

Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) were presented.

After the business portion and dinner, it was time to recognize six Sisters of the Precious Blood celebrating milestone Jubilees this year. Both Sisters Carmen Voisard and Rosalie Kastner are celebrating 75 years of Sisters Nancy McMullen, Tish Rawles and Donna religious life while Sisters Liette sing and carry roses to the Jubilarians. Sister Mary Lou Schmersal photo Nancy Kinross, Marie Kopin, Carolyn Hoying and Committee and initial formation.

Mary Garascia are each marking Updates on the Salem Heights 50 years. The Jubilarians received repurposing project, Maria Stein gifts and roses from the congregaShrine, stewardship planning, tion as they were recognized. As in communications and Leadership the past, each Sister was honored

with a personal slide show. Photos of the Sisters from childhood through their religious life were shown on a large screen in the Salem Heights chapel. Unique quips jotted onto the slides had Sisters chuckling.

“We thank you, Sisters, for your fidelity,” Sister Joyce said to the Jubilarians. “We thank you for the way that you have shown the rest of us how God can work in someone’s life and how in the times of trial and times of stress and in the times of joy that fidelity, both from you to God and God to you, can be so strong.”

Spirit Days ended July 1 with Eucharist and a banquet honoring the Jubilarians. 

Congratulations to the 2012 Jubilarians 50 Years

75 Years

Sister Rosalie Kastner

Sister Carmen Voisard (M. Carmencita)

Sister Mary Garascia (Thomas Miriam)

Sister Carolyn Hoying (M. Agnese)

Sister Nancy Kinross (M. Rose Catherine)

Sister Marie Kopin (M. David Irene)

Happy Birthday

In each issue of Sharing & Caring we recognize the birthdays of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Congratulations to the Sisters celebrating fall birthdays.

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SEPTEMBER Cleophas Schumacher Cecilia Ann Goldschmidt Mary Louise Hoelscher Nadine Kaschalk Ruth Ann Meyer Mary Ann Mozser Florence Seifert Noemí Flores Della Mae Meyer Rita Rogier Canice Werner Rosemary Laux

1 2 3 7 13 14 16 17 18 20 29

OCTOBER Marie Kopin Helen Therese Fleischman Beverly Ann Bodnar Nancy McMullen Terry Maher Dianne Skubby Marie Bax Patricia Kremer Mary Rose McCrate Luella Huelskamp Rosalie Kastner

4 5 9 12

14 22 23

NOVEMBER Carolyn Henkenius Rae Marie Rattermann Rita Yahl Angeline Hoffman Maria Luisa Miller Charmaine Grilliot Ann Catherine Merkle Anna Maria Sanders

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DECEMBER Barbara Brown Margaret Mary Rigdon Berenice Janszen Eleanor McNally Mary Garke Patricia Will Dolorosa Oen Gerri McGeorge Ritamary Bulach Donna Liette

Sharing & Caring

 Precious Blood Sister Joan DeChristopher (M. Christine), who recently retired from the spiritual care team at St. Margaret Hall in Cincinnati, received the Flos Carrmeli Sanctity of Life Award from the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and the Avila Institute of Gerontology. She was recognized during a dinner Oct. 10. The Sister Joan award is presented to a person who DeChristopher. exemplifies characteristics of Mother Courtesy photo M. Angeline Teresa O. Carm., the foundress of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.

Since 2005, Sister Joan offered Healing Touch therapy to residents at St. Margaret Hall, particularly to patients at the end of their lifespan. She also worked with patients and their families. She retired in May. In an essay nominating Sister Joan for the award, St. Margaret Hall administrator Janet Murphy wrote that she is dedicated, caring and thoughtful.

“In addition to the wonderful work that she does for our residents, she is also there for the staff,” Murphy wrote. “Last winter a number of longtime residents passed away, and she was conscientious about checking in with the staff to see how they were coping with the stresses that come along with such a loss.”

Though Sister Joan retired, she continues to serve as a volunteer.

“I was really stunned,” Sister Joan said of receiving the award. “I never expected this.”  Feast Days involving Mary are also feast days at Salem Heights.

Sister Carolyn Henkeius (M. Fabian) prepares more than five dozen pecan rolls to celebrate. A few days before the Feast Day, Sister Carolyn is busy in a Salem Heights kitchen preparing the tasty treats, which feature a topping of pecans, brown sugar and butter. Sometimes she will place a roll outside each bedroom door at Salem Heights. Sweet!

Sister Carolyn Henkenius. Courtesy photo

 The Sisters of the Precious Blood website continues to evolve. Planned upgrades include changes to the home page that will make it more readable and provide links to popular features. Under the News and Events page, a digital copy of Sharing & Caring offers individual stories in an easy-to-read format. Another new feature, Sister Quips, will be found under the Life as a Sister page. These amusing stories are compiled from

Fall 2012

Sisters’ experiences in ministry. Also, our Facebook page continues to grow. If you haven’t ‘liked’ the page, do so today.  Statues of our Lady of Fatima with the three children were moved from the grounds of the former Fatima Hall, Precious Blood High School to Salem Heights on June 22. The statue of Mary and the boulder, weighOur Lady of Fatima statues. Sr. Noreen Jutte photo ing 28,000 pounds, was moved by Miller-Valentine Construction Company while the statues of the three children were moved

by Salem Heights staff. The statues, made possible through Our Lady of Fatima League, were originally dedicated in 1951.

Fatima Hall was dedicated as Precious Blood High School on July 2, 1950 and the first class arrived in September. The last class graduated in 1966. After Fatima Hall closed as a high school the building was renovated and used as a House of Formation from 1968-72. Professed Sisters who ministered in the area then lived in Fatima Hall for a number of years. Congregational offices were also housed in Fatima Hall. An Early Childhood Center was in the basement of Fatima Hall from 1973 until 1995. The Sisters sold Fatima Hall and the Maria Joseph Center in 1985. Demolition of Fatima Hall began last November.  Deacon Omar Bertke, brother of Precious Blood Sister Martha Bertke, celebrated his 25th year in the diaconate June 10 with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein, followed by a reception and open house.

Missionary of the Precious Blood Father Eugene Schnipke celebrated the Mass.

Deacon Omar Deacon Bertke has been assigned to St. Bertke. CourJohn since ordination. The parish is part tesy photo of the Marian Catholic Community.

As a deacon, he particularly enjoyed baptisms and has baptized two generations of families over the years. Deacon Bertke said he also enjoyed working with parishioners, assisting at Masses, preparing Eucharistic ministers and RCIA. Deacon Bertke spent five years visiting patients in Hospice or their families.

He retired from Minister Farmer’s Cooperative (now Trupointe Cooperative) in 1994. He has been a groundskeeper at Maria Stein Shrine since 1994 and was also the groundskeeper at Maria Stein Retreat Center from 1994-96. 

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It’s easier to see God’s presence in places like this ELKHORN CITY, Ky. — When you ask Precious Blood Sister Margie Zureick what exactly she does as pastoral associate at St. Joseph the Worker Mission in Elkhorn City, Ky., she rattles off a list of titles. She’s a counselor, fundraiser, administrator and employer. But most of all she’s a friend to this tiny rural community tucked deep in the hills of Appalachia.

Story and photos by Dave Eck The smiling nun who often wears University of Kentucky blue reaches out to anyone in need, regardless of denomination. From a small financial gift that enables a young mother to make her rent to creating a business that employs several local residents and provides a needed community service, Sister Margie’s handprints can be found all over town.

For her it’s simply about serving the people and helping them meet their needs.

“The people are great here,” Sister Margie said. “It’s a good relationship. People usually accept me being Catholic. It’s not a Catholic area. I really like them and they really like me. On the whole people are friendly and I like it because I can walk with them.”

Nestled on the southeastern edge of Kentucky at the Virginia border, Elkhorn City is surrounded by natural beauty. Hills rise from all directions and two-lane country roads wind through the woods. The Breaks, a 5-mile gorge that drops 1,650 feet and draws thousands of visitors a year, is located less than five miles from the mission. Elkhorn City is a breath-taking place that Sister Margie calls her mountain

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paradise. Still, beauty can’t mask the challenges facing the community.

Most of the residents work in coal mines or for businesses that support the coal industry. Workers are regularly laid off or injured and unable to work. Future job growth lags the national average by nearly five percent and household income is less than 60 percent of the average, according to some recent statistics.

That’s where Sister Margie comes in. Going about town, she quietly helps people pay their bills, gives them rides in her van, buys them food staples and provides them gasoline. She oversees operation of a thrift store and operates a food pantry.

Still, sometimes it’s just about making people feel good about themselves and happy.

She tells of a couple renewing their wedding vows. The wife wants a wedding dress, something she didn’t have when she married. “It’s a happy time and we’ll find her a wedding dress,” Sister Margie said, adding she will probably have to have it dry cleaned.

A native of Cincinnati, Sister Margie’s interest in the poor formed while she was still in high school working at a small grocery store. She remembers seeing the poorer residents struggle financially.

“That’s when I really developed an appreciation for the poor and mission,” she said. “I just felt like I wanted to be with the people who

Sharing & Caring

Left, Ronnie and Barb Johnson work at the Praise Friendship Laundry in Elkhorn City, Ky. Barb works at the laundromat and Ronnie volunteers there. Precious Blood Sister Margie Zureick helped start the laundromat in response to a community need. Right, The Praise Friendship Laundry in Elkhorn City, Ky.

just didn’t have a whole lot. There’s just a difference with the poor.”

That experience helped her discern a call to religious life. She contacted various communities and learned the Sisters of the Precious Blood had missions in Missouri and on the Indian reservations. She also knew the Precious Blood Sisters from being a student at then-Regina High School in Norwood, Ohio. She entered the community in 1956, when she became Sister Loretta Rose, later returning to Sister Margie.

She taught for 14 years, but her ministry changed when she took an eighth-grade class on a mission trip to Kentucky. She got to know the people and the area. Something stirred within her.

“I really felt a call to the Appalachian people of southeastern Kentucky,” she said. “We brought the class to Lancaster, Ky., and that’s when I became acquainted with the mission work here. I just saw the needs.”

In 1971, she and two other Precious Blood Sisters, now former members, began ministering at St. Paul Parish in McKee, Ky. They did pastoral work, outreach and opened a kindergarten.

“That was the first thing we did because that was the need there,” she said of starting the kindergarten.

After four years at St. Paul Parish she returned to Dayton to serve on the Sisters of the Precious Blood formation team. After her term was up, she was invited by Father Wilfred Fraenzle to minister at St. Clare Parish in Berea, Ky. A year later she and Father Wil moved to a parish in Beattyville, Ky. Four years later, Father Wil asked her to open a new parish in Campton, Ky., the first parish in Wolfe County. She stayed at the new parish, Church of the Good Shepherd, for 14 years doing community outreach and pastoral work.

In 2001, she again left Kentucky for Dayton, this time to work at

St. Mary’s Development and with Precious Blood Sister Donna Liette at Mercy Manor. She enjoyed the ministry and figured Kentucky was in her past.

“I had made my break,” she said.

“It was hard both times I left.”

About five years later, however, during a visit to Campton, she ran into Father Wil. He told her he was trying to find someone to reopen the mission in Elkhorn City, which had been closed and was going to be sold. She turned him down.

Several months later she was on a trip with Tiffin Franciscan Sister Marge Eilerman, who mentioned that Father Wil was still trying to get someone to reopen St. Joseph. Sister Eilerman knew Sister Margie’s his-

On the cover, Precious Blood Sister Margie Zureick at St. Joseph the Worker Mission in Elkhorn City, Ky. The mission serves a rural community nestled in the heart of Appalachia in southeastern Kentucky. Left, Sister Margie smiles during a visit with a resident of Elkhorn City, Ky. Sister Margie has ministered in southeastern Kentucky for more than 30 years. Right, storefronts in Elkhorn City.

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tory in Kentucky and began talking about the work. Ironically, Sister Donna was waiting to pick up Sister Margie at the end of the trip. Sister Margie told Sister Donna that she was discerning a return to Kentucky, but really the decision had already been made.

She moved to Elkorn City in spring 2006, reopened the mission and “started in again,” she said. Less than a dozen people attend the 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, but the sense of community is strong. People come to the mission seeking prayer, help or just companionship.

Sister Margie also started her work in the community. She noticed that there was no laundromat in town and that people were seeking a place to wash their clothes.

So, Sister Margie pulled together officials from other churches and they opened a laundromat in an empty Elkhorn City storefront. It employs a few people, provides a service to the community and fills an empty space. It’s a simple example of filling the needs.

Barb and Ronnie Johnson have seen Sister Margie’s impact on the community. Barb works in the laundromat and Ronnie volunteers there.

“I think she’s one of the best people who ever came into this town,” Ronnie said. “She helps the

Left, Srs. Mary Yarger and Margie Zureick relax in the Praise Friendship Laundry. Sister Margie often wears University of Kentucky blue as she ministers in this rural Appalachian community. Right, Clothes hang from the racks at the thrift store at St. Joseph the Worker Mission in Elkhorn City, Ky. Sister Margie oversees the store as part of her ministry in southeastern Kentucky.

poor. She helps them all she can.”

Debbie Ratliff, another laundry employee, said Sister Margie helps wherever she’s able.

“I’ve never seen anybody who is as big-hearted as she is,” Ratliff said.

“You won’t see many people in Elkhorn who haven’t met her or whose lives haven’t been touched by her in some way.”

For Sister Margie, it all goes back to meeting the needs, and she always finds a way. She recalled a time in McKee, Ky. when she had volunteers visiting and all they had was powdered milk. The milk was running low and the volunteers asked her to save it. Soon, someone came by asking if Sister Margie had any milk. Of course, Sister Margie gave away the last of the milk. A short

time later a priest drove up with a whole truckload of powdered milk asking if Sister Margie could use it.

“I’ve always been blessed,” she said. “Little miracles happen.”

Those experiences help form her spirituality. It’s easier to see God’s presence in places like Elkhorn City.

It puts things in perspective, she said. It’s not about money and how much a person has. It’s about living simply.

It’s also about helping her people.

“We don’t have a lot of money for stuff, but for the people we’ve got it,” Sister Margie said. “I have never had to turn away somebody because I don’t think we have enough money. Even if I know we don’t have enough money, I never turn them away.” 

Left, Mindy Dotson, a volunteer from Piqua, Ohio, folds clothes at the mission. The Sisters of the Precious Blood sponsor a Ministry Week during which single women are invited to spend a week working on various projects in the community. Right, Elkhorn City, Ky., is surrounded by natural beauty. The Breaks, a gorge that drops more than 1,600 feet has been called the “Grand Canyon of the South.”

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Sharing & Caring

New doctor grateful for C.PP.S.

By Dave Eck

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eople don’t always know what God has in store, but His plan for Our Lady of Kilimanjaro Sister M. Daria Mushi seems to have worked out perfectly. After a decadelong journey that saw her earn a bachelor’s degree and complete medical school, Sister M. Daria this summer returned to her native country to start a year-long medical internship at a hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania.

It is through Missionary of the Precious Blood Father Bill O’Donnell and the CPPS Sisters, that God made possible Sister M. Daria’s journey from college and medical school in the United States and back to Tanzania East Africa.

It’s an ending Sister M. Daria never expected for herself.

She came to the United States in 2001 at the request of her community to study and become a science teacher in Tanzania. In her heart, however, she wanted to return home a doctor to heal and comfort the poor in her region, particularly women and children.

Her odyssey began when she and another Our Lady of Kilimanjaro Sister arrived in Steubenville, Ohio, to study, but after one semester they were out of money and didn’t have a scholarship. They were considering going back to Tanzania when they met Precious Blood Sister Eileen Monnin (M. Emerentia) and spent Christmas 2001 with the Precious Blood Sisters in Dayton. Sister Florentine Gregory heard about these two nuns and contacted Father Bill, then-pastor of Precious Blood Parish, to see if he could help them.

Father O’Donnell encouraged them to leave Steubenville and took them to study in Rensselaer, Indiana.

After a semester they transferred to the University of Dayton. Father O’Donnell found a sponsor in the Mathile Foundation, which covered Sister M. Daria’s tuition for her undergraduate and medical school studies. Her fellow Sister eventually transferred again, finished her degree and returned home. Meanwhile, Sister M. Daria received permission from her order to become a doctor.

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After graduating from UD with a bachelor’s she tried to get into medical school in the United States, but the competition was too keen. She ended up attending medical school at St. Eustatius in the Caribbean, passed her boards and completed her clinical training at the American Global School of Medicine in Belize. She was awarded her medical degree during a private Sisters Pat Dieringer and Daria Mushi before her graduation graduation at Salem ceremony at the American Global School of Medicine in Heights on June 8, 2012. Belize. Courtesy photo During the rigors of how to take care of themselves in medical school, she found inspiration and care in Precious Blood case they are not able to return to the Sisters and Father O’Donnell. A room hospital for follow up visits.

To improve the care she can give, at Salem Heights was always availSister Daria is working with Medable to her for refuge and breaks. In Wish, a non-profit organization in times of crisis, self-doubt and visa problems, the Sisters were by her side. Cleveland that repurposes medical equipment discarded by hospitals Precious Blood parishioners prayed and redistributes them in developfor her and sent her letters of ening countries. Precious Blood Parish couragement. The Sisters and others paid the $5,000 cost to ship the first maintained contact with Sister Daria. container of medical equipment. Sis “It was extremely, extremely love beyond,” Sister Daria said. “There is ter Daria will use the equipment to furnish a clinic for her order. She has no way I could have become a docmore equipment from MedWish and tor without their support.” is raising money to pay for a second Sister Daria left the United States shipment. in June and began her internship August 15. After a year, she will earn With her resources, contacts in the United States and the Sisters of the a license to practice in Tanzania. It Precious Blood, she sees God workwill also enable her to network with ing through her to reach others less other doctors. fortunate.

“Physicians in Tanzania are very “I’m going to just try my level intelligent by their own means best to work with God,” Sister Daria because they learn from each other said. “I’ll say ‘God, I just want you to and they don’t have the facilities we touch people today through me.’ I’m have here,” Sister Daria said. “We do things together. We share knowl- going to try my level best to meet these people and show them God. edge and that’s our library. That’s I’m thinking I will be able to make how we work.” people happy.”

Sister Daria will minister to the The last decade has helped her poor and needy patients in the reunderstand her call to religious life. gion, treating such maladies as mal “Today I’m 100 percent sure this nutrition, dehydration, malaria and is where God wants me,” she said.

HIV. She will also be dealing with “If I didn’t become a Sister, I could patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A key element of never have been in the United States.

I could have never become a doctor. treatment, she said, will be educatI could have never done all this.”  ing patients on their conditions and

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Sisters of the Precious Blood award nearly $490,000 in grants to social service agencies, schools and programs

By Dave Eck DAYTON – The Sisters of the Precious Blood awarded $489,948 in grants to 51 social service agencies, schools and social programs from the congregation’s Maria Anna Brunner Grant Fund. The grants will support projects in 2012 and 2013.

Founded in 1991 and named in honor of the congregation’s foundress, the fund supports agencies and programs that a Sister of the Precious Blood recommends. The Sister is either very knowledgeable about the program or is actively involved.

This year’s grant amounts range from $1,000 to the maximum of $20,000. The funded agencies are located in areas where Precious Blood Sisters minister including Dayton, Cincinnati and Toledo in Ohio, and California, Michigan, Guatemala and Chile.

Some of the programs funded in 2012 are: • Our Lady of Mercy St. Vincent de Paul in Dayton, $10,000 to help cover increased food costs for the food pantry and to increase the amount of rent pledges to $100.

• Carroll High School in Dayton, $15,000 to help pay part of the tuition of 8-12 Carroll students from low-income and/or single parent families.

• Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School in Dayton, $20,000 to be used for scholarships for students

from low-income families to offset the cost of their school tuition for the 2012-13 school year.

• St. Bernardine Medical Center Foundation in San Bernardino, Calif., $14,000 to pay for screening mammograms for women who have no insurance to cover the cost and do not have other financial resources.

• Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, $15,000 to support the at-risk youth from “Back of the Yards” (Southside Chicago community suffering from gang/ gun violence and extreme poverty) to improve their education, develop workplace skills, and help them to become responsible employees.

• Tech-reach at Elder High School in Cincinnati, $10,000 to continue the school’s tech-reach program in which the school shares its technology and educational resources with its neighbors in need.

Sisters of the Precious Blood are asked to recommend agencies and programs for funding each January and applications are due in March. A board of three Sisters of the Precious Blood, three laypeople and a chair, who is a Sister of the Precious Blood, reviews the applications and identifies programs for funding. The board recommendations are sent to the Community Council in May and the funds are distributed in June.

In evaluating applications, the

board takes into account the program’s social impact and the impact the funding will have on the applicant’s mission, Sister Ruth Ann Meyer. said PrePat Morrison photo cious Blood Sister Ruth Ann Meyer (M. Giovanni), current chair of the MAB Grant Fund Board. The money cannot be used for capital improvement or construction projects.

Projects must address one or more of the following: support systemic change; provide service to those who suffer from poverty; create processes that facilitate reconciliation; promote the reduction of violence in society; and empower individuals to take their place in Church and society.

“It’s extremely important to me and to the congregation to support our Sisters who are doing social work and feeding the hungry,” Sister Ruth Ann said. “I want (the grants) to impact how our Sisters are changing the way people live.” 

In Sympathy We offer sympathy and prayer to the following Sisters of the Precious Blood who have recently lost family members to death.

Sister Charmaine Grilliot on the death of her brother, Clem Grilliot, June 26.

Sister Carolyn Hoying on the death of her uncle, Paul Mescher, June 26.

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Sister Paula Gero on the death of her mother, Francis Gero, July 25.

Sister Rosemary Lindemann on the death of her brother, John, Aug. 4.

Sister Amy Junk on the death of

her brother, Robert, Sept. 8.

Remembering…

Pete Leisring, former maintenance director, Aug. 25

Sharing & Caring

Sister M. Delphine Kolker April 12, 1918 — August 21, 2012

Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Mary Delphine Kolker, 94, was held at Salem Heights Aug. 27. Sister Delphine died Aug. 21 at Maria Joseph Center in Dayton. She was a Sister of the Precious Blood for 78 years.

One of three children born to John J. and Estella C. (Young) Kolker, Geraldine Eleanora was born in Dayton, Ohio, on April 12, 1918. At age 16, she formally entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood on June 8, 1934. She was known in religious life as Sister Mary Delphine.

For four years Sister M. Delphine taught grade school

and high school students in Bryant, Ind. and Dayton.

After acquiring a M.A. and PhD. in English, Delphine taught in high school and mostly college for 49 years.

She ministered to students in Dayton and Cleveland, Ohio; San Luis Rey, Calif.; Lafayette and Rensselaer, Ind. Being a very gifted, creative and versatile person, Delphine became widely known for art, poetry, literature and composition. She spent 17 years teaching English and philosophy in Cleveland at St. John College and Cleveland State University.

Sister Mary Delphine is survived by her sister, Martha Glaser of Cincinnati and nieces. Preceding her in death was her sister E. Patricia Fetter of Marion, Ind. Internment was in Salem Heights Cemetery.

Sister Mary Yvonne Voisard August 31, 1917 — July 29, 2012

A Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister M. Yvonne Voisard was held Aug. 1 at Salem Heights. Sister Voisard, 94, died July 29 at Maria Joseph Center.

She was a Sister of the Precious Blood for 79 years.

A native of Russia, Ohio, Irma Voisard was one of eight children born to Leo and Margaret (Marchal) Voisard. She entered the congregation at age 16, one of three siblings to enter the congregation.

Sister taught grades 5-12 for 17 years in Cleveland, Egypt and Glandorf, Ohio. She spent the next 15 years in formation work. Later she became involved in the study of the retreat movement and was director of the

Maria Stein Retreat House. Later, she spent a year studying spirituality in Massachusetts. This prepared her to become Pastoral Minister at Queen of Martyrs Parish in Dayton and during nine summers the director of a month-long House of Prayer experience. She retired to Salem Heights in 1995. Failing health necessitated her move to Emma Hall in 2006.

Sister M. Yvonne is survived by her sisters, Elfrieda Borchers of Russia, Ohio and in religion, Sister Carmen Voisard of Dayton, Ohio. She is also survived by nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her sisters, Mildred Moorman, and Cecilia Borchers, Sister Mary Louise Voisard and her brothers Joseph Voisard and Raymond Voisard.

Interment was in Salem Heights Cemetery.

Sister Anne Agnew (Mary Walter) April 30, 1928 — June 9, 2012

Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Anne Agnew, 84, was celebrated June 12 at Salem Heights Chapel in Dayton, Ohio. Sister Anne died June 9 at the Maria Joseph Center. She was a Sister of the Precious Blood for 65 years.

A native of Dayton, her family later moved to Cincinnati, where she attended St. Mark School and Regina High School. Anne formally entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood on September 1, 1946. She was known in religious life for some years as Sister Mary Walter.

Sister enjoyed teaching grade school for 17 years in

Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. She also ministered for eight years in Cincinnati, Celina and Wapakoneta high schools, teaching English and history. After teaching, Anne, “retired” at age 65, and did pastoral work in Colorado, and social justice ministry, involving AIDS. Later she worked in homeless shelters in Chicago and Dayton. While living at Salem Heights in 2003- 2008, she collaborated with Sister Helen Weber (M. Herbert) in publishing seven books on CPPS community history.

Her failing health in 2008 took her to Emma Hall.

Sister Anne is survived by her sister, Sister M. Barbara Agnew (M. Madeleva), CPPS of Dayton, Ohio and nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was her sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Ronald Roat of Cincinnati.

Internment was in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

For the full texts of the eulogies, go to: www.PreciousBloodSistersDayton.org; click on About Us>In Memoriam.

Fall 2012

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‘Regina girls’ bring former school’s spirit to Salem Heights Story and photos by Dave Eck

T

here were plenty of laughs, hugs and even a few tears on June 3 as 13 members of the 1950 Regina High School class gathered at Salem Heights for a reunion.

As the ‘Regina Girls’ shared stories of their high school days, the years faded away and the spirit of the former high school in Norwood, Ohio, came alive. There were stories of Precious Blood Sisters M. Conrada Schneider, an excellent math and algebra teacher; M. Peregrine Braun, who taught sewing and domestic arts; Dorothy Kammerer (M. Fidelia), head of the business department; and Madonna Winklejohn (M. Ireanea), a science teacher and later principal.

“The whole reunion day was really so tremendous, sharing memories.

It was interesting because everyone just wanted to talk about Regina, the good times we had and the crazy things that happened,” said Precious

Blood Sister Katie Lett (M. Joseph Marie), who was class president junior and senior years. “It was just turning back the clock.”

The ‘Regina girls’ attended Mass, toured Salem Heights, and had lunch with the community before Classmates gather at a reunion of the 1950 Regina High gathering around dinSchool class reunion June 3 at Salem Heights. Back ing tables to talk. Soon row from left, Philomina Picciano Dillhoff, Loretta Riley Luers, Joan Meyer Augenstein, Mary Lou Hewitt Weber, the memories and stories McDermott Clements, Joan Schneider Crable, started flowing. Sister Katie Marilyn Pat Martin Benken, Ann Burwinkel Murray. Front row hosted the reunion. from left, Mary Kuntz Smiley, Margie Morford Donnelly, Mary Kuntz Smiley Barb Reinhart Powers, Mary Oaks Shea, Precious Blood Sister Katie Lett. recalled a time when she and Rosalie (Mickey) Mcmates took her to a bar in Cincinnati, Quaide remembered sneaking some and ordered her a Zombie, a cocktail ice cream out of a freezer at Regina with three different kinds of rum, and were eating it when they heard sugar and two different fruit juices. a Sister coming. They ran into the “I never drank,” Sister Katie said. girls’ bathroom and threw the treats “They always enjoyed drinking. out the window.

They didn’t tell me what they got me Though the memories were often funny and sometimes sad, one theme until I started feeling lightheaded.”

Through the years, the bonds emerged: Regina was a place formed at Regina never broke. where classmates became “I can’t get through life without friends for life. friends,” Sister Katie said. “I also “You always felt that everyfeel, with these girls, I know each body in the class was your of them by name, and I just really friend,” said Pat Martin Benken. “We were always together love them. We discovered that even though it’s been 62 years since we as friends. I really enjoyed graduated that love has been everRegina.” lasting.”  Sometimes, though, friendship can take an interesting For more information and photos from turn, as Sister Katie found out stories in Sharing and Caring, go to the summer after high school From left, Mary Oaks Shea, Ann Burwinkel Murray, www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org; Pat Martin Benken (background), and Philomina Picand a week before entering the News and Events>Sharing & Caring. ciano Dillhoff sing during the liturgy recognizing the community. Some of her class‘Regina Girls.’

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