Sharing & Caring Fall 2018

Sharing & Caring Volume 29 Number 2 • Fall 2018 Sisters of the Precious Blood • Dayton, Ohio • www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org

Guided by Mission Precious Blood Sisters serve the community through nonprofit leadership. Page 12

From the President’s Desk

Board instead of bored

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ecently someone asked me what I plan to do once I retire. “After all,” she said, “now that you’ve got all that knowledge and experience, and all those skills, it would be a shame not to use them.” I’m sure that our Sisters who have been in such a wide variety of ministry positions over the years have been asked, or asked of themselves, that same question.

Thinking of retirement brought back the memory of the wife who commented to me about her newly retired husband who was bored and at a loss for things to do. “If he rearranges my kitchen cupboards one more time,” she said, “I may have to find somewhere else for him to live.” Preparing for the time after working full-time is a challenge, but those of us who are disciples of Jesus might look at “retirement” in a different light.

If you have been reading Sharing & Caring for a while, or if you know some of our Sisters, you will understand that “retirement” is not a word in our lexicon. Retirement’s financial overtones indicate a time when a person is no longer remunerated for the work they have been doing full-time. The implication is that once released from the necessity of making a living, people are free to do what they wish, or nothing at all.

But many people continue to work after they have left their full-time profession. It is the same for many Precious Blood 2

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Sisters.

Mission and ministry are born from the same source but are not the same thing.

A mission is the impetus flowing from an encounter with God, from a specific understanding of the purpose of life, from a desire to go beyond ourselves for the common good in the name of Jesus. Ministry is a particular way of fulfilling or living out a mission and the same mission can encompass many kinds of ministries. Some of our Sisters may have left ministry, but they know they always remain in mission.

There is always some way that they can be of service.

So, instead of being bored, a number of our “retired” Sisters — as well as Sisters still in full-time ministry — serve on boards of nonprofit groups. Board membership

... if you know some of our Sisters, you will understand that “retirement” is not a word in our lexicon.

— Sister Joyce Lehman gives them the opportunity to share their hard-earned knowledge — and, hopefully, wisdom — as organizations strive to meet the unmet needs of our neighbors. When invited to be on a board along with other people of willing spirit and open arms, our Sisters are sure to give with their whole heart.

They offer insight gleaned from years of serving, an outlook on life informed by immersion in Gospel values, the wisdom of the church and our Precious Blood Spirituality, and a desire to see every person respected and their human dignity guarded and protected.

In this issue you will read about just some of our Sisters who definitely are not bored while serving on boards. Being a board member gives our Sisters an opportunity to influence the organization where they serve to remain faithful to its own mission — and to continue our mission of “proclaiming God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.” 

Sister Joyce Lehman President, Sisters of the Precious Blood

Vocations

We are all vocation ministers

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need help.

It’s not a phrase I like saying, nor a statement I am good at saying. I am a determined and independent person; normally, I would rather figure things out on my own rather than ask for help from others. However, I know that no matter how hard I work or how many hours I put in, vocation ministry is not going to be fruitful unless I ask for help.

My job title is “vocation ministry coordinator,” and it may seem silly, but I appreciate the intentionality of the title. I am not a director; God is the ultimate vocation director. It is He who calls and continues to invite each of us to our respective vocations. Instead, I am a coordinator of ministry. The word “coordinator” implies there are multiple efforts involved in the ministry of vocations and my job is to organize those efforts. I am not the only one charged with encouraging young women to consider a vocation to religious life; I am just one person of many with this responsibility.

So, who else should be a vocation minister? You! Everyone — regardless of whether

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

All editorial content and photographs in Sharing & Caring are copyrighted. For reprint permission, please contact the communications coordinator.

Left, Jenna Legg, vocation ministry coordinator; Michelle Bodine photo. Right, Father Steve Dos Santos with Sisters Mary Lou Schmersal and Rita Rogier at the vocation fair at St. Joseph Catholic School in Maumee, Ohio; contributed photo.

you are a lay person, married, single, an older Sister, younger Sister, a former Sister, parent, teacher or anything else — is tasked with inviting young people to discern their vocation! As the coordinator, I am here to help you with this!

So how do you encourage young people to participate in discernment?

1) Remind them that we are all called to holiness! This is our primary vocation! Discerning religious life, marriage, ordained life or single

life is finding the way that we can best live out that call to holiness!

2) Invite children, youth and young adults to spend time with a sister, brother or priest. This could mean inviting a parish priest to dinner, or bringing kids to Mass with the Sisters. Many Catholics grow up without ever meeting a sister or having said anything — continued on Page 23 Story by Jenna Legg

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.

phone: (937) 274-2707 email: mbodine@cppsadmin.org

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Progressive Printers Inc., Dayton, Ohio

Editorial Content Mary Knapke, Communications Assistant

Address communications to: Office of Communications Sisters of the Precious Blood 4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426

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Vocations

Vocation Awareness Week

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ocation Awareness Week is held the first full week of November every year to pray for, encourage, aid and promote vocational discernment. Many schools and parishes use this time to invite those in religious life to speak with their students. This is an opportunity for students to meet a priest, brother or sister, and begin to imagine themselves as a religious. The Sisters of the Precious Blood were invited to participate in a few of these activities around the Dayton area.

Tuesday morning, Sister Regina Albers and I spoke with the seventh graders at St. Christopher School in Vandalia, Ohio. As part of their week’s scheduled activities, we were invited to speak on our respective vocations. Sister Regina shared her discernment story, experience teaching at St. Christopher and ministry in Chile. Students asked her about Precious Blood Spirituality and to describe her daily schedule as a Sister.

Tuesday evening, Sister Cecilia Taphorn and I attended a young adult dinner at St. Mary of the Assumption in Springboro, Ohio. A small group of young adults shared tacos and discussion about vocation and discernment. They were interested in the process of discernment and how to choose a particular religious community. Father Steve dos Santos was also in attendance.

As part of Ohio’s Statewide Holy Hour for Vocations, we hosted a time of adoration on Wednesday evening at Salem 4

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Heights to pray for those discerning God’s call in their life. Over 30 Sisters attended to pray. It was a blessing to be among holy women in prayer.

On Thursday, Sister Ann Clark, Father Steve dos Santos and I hosted a vocation panel for juniors during lunch at Catholic Central School in Springfield, Ohio. We also spoke in two religion classes, answering questions about Precious Blood Spirituality and daily life as a religious. The seniors posed some great questions about Catholicism, choosing a vocation and steps in the formation process.

Saturday morning, I attended a 5K for Vocations in Carthagena, Ohio, hosted by the Knights of Columbus. It was a bit too cold for me to participate, but Sister Top, Sister Regina Albers speaks to seventh graders Marla Gipson bundled at St. Christopher School; bottom (from left), Mrs. up and completed her 3.1 Carol Keller, mother of Father Matt Keller (who was this past summer), Brother Nick Renner miles. Local newspapers ordained who is in ministry at St. Henry and Sister Marla and Sacred Heart Radio Gipson. promoted this event and vocations, thanks to our tions. They are eager to meet encouragement. those in religious life and are Our social media accounts curious about the joy they see were also abuzz during the among vowed religious. I love week. We debuted six new being able to create opportuvideos during Vocation nities to bring the Sisters and Awareness Week, four of young people together. I look which shared the vocation stoforward to creating more of ries of our Sisters. Our posts these occasions throughout the were viewed over 2,200 times! year — especially as we begin It was wonderful to be with to plan for National Catholic so many young people during Sisters Week in March!  this week, and I am encourStory and photos by Jenna Legg aged by their thoughtful ques-

Vocations /Ministry

Poster highlights vocations in the Cincinnati archdiocese

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gain this year, the Sisters of the Precious Blood communications office has teamed up with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Office of Consecrated Life and Office of Vocations, as well as other religious communities, to create a poster featuring men and women in formation for consecrated life.

The poster is distributed to Catholic high schools, university campus ministry programs, every parish in the archdiocese, and the major superior of each community represented on the poster. It is also on display in archdiocesan offices.

The poster was first produced in 2014 and at that time featured 13 men and women from eight religious communities. The 2018-19 poster features photos of 75 men and women representing about 30 religious communi-

ties. Each person is either from a parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati or is in the archdiocese for formation or work here.

Also included on the poster is

each person’s name, religious community, stage in formation and home parish or diocese.  Story by Mary Knapke

Sisters recognized as outstanding caregivers

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n Sunday, November 11, Sisters Gerri McGeorge and Nancy Recker were among over 80 people to be honored with 2018 Outstanding Caregiver awards at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati. Bishop Joseph R. Binzer celebrated the White Mass, so named for the traditional white garb worn by physicians and medical professionals. In the church, white symbolizes hope and comfort for the ill. The caregivers were recognized for the hope they bring to those

they care for and minister with.

The individuals honored at the Mass were nominated by the facility where they work or volunteer as being outstanding representatives of the mission of that organization; they repreFrom left, Sisters Verlina Mescher, Gerri McGeorge, sented a broad range of Nancy Recker and Dee Keller; contributed photo. senior living communities, hospitals and parprovides pastoral care, both at ishes throughout the archthe Maria Joseph Nursing & diocese. Sister Gerri serves Rehabilitation Center.  as co-coordinator of Sister Story by Mary Knapke residents and Sister Nancy Fall 2018

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Ministry

Sister Marie Kopin wins national award for amateur mycology

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feel honored, humbled, happy and encouraged to have received the national Harry and Elsie Knighton Service Award through NAMA, the North American Mycological Association, at the Oct. 13 awards ceremony during the Salem, Oregon Foray. It really was a surprise too! Thanks to those Michigan NAMA members who nominated me, and thanks to our Congregation and the many organizations in Michigan who have generously supported my teaching activities, field experiences and continued learning experiences with fungi.

I have done mycology since I was a little girl with my father, and the learning continues, adding the spirituality of the forests which I recently studied when a doctoral student explored with me some of the wisdom of our Creator, especially with networking in a forest. The mycelium of fungi provide the network with roots of trees and plants so they can grow, just as we humans network with all of life in God’s Creation, just as the symbol of the Blood of Jesus encourages.

The Harry and Elsie Knighton Service Award recognizes and encourages those who have distinguished themselves in service to their local mycology clubs. It consists of a plaque; publicity for the winner and club in The Mycophile; a one-year membership in the organization; and registration, housing and foray fees for the next NAMA Foray.

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Clockwise from left, sorting mushroom specimens at a table; group doing mushroom field experience at a Michigan Nature Association preserve in Clare County; David Rust, president of NAMA, presents Sister Marie with the Harry and Elsie Knighton award; contributed photos.

In my situation I started leading forays (educational field experiences) in the late 2000s and began teaching indoor classroom-type experiences in the 2010s. I was secretary of the Michigan club for eight years and co-sponsored many kinds of yearly events, including networking with: • Isabella County Parks.

• Chippewa Watershed Conservancy.

• Michigan Nature Association.

• Isabella County Commission on Aging.

• Rosebush (Isabella County)

and Roscommon County public libraries.

• Alcona and Iosco conserva tion districts’ foresters and officers.

• Local Audubon club.

• Naturopathic Institute of Therapies & Education.

• Local high school graphic arts classes, crafting mush room T-shirt designs and posters.

• Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.

• The Gathering Society.

— continued on Page 23 Story by Sister Marie Kopin

Ministry

St. Christopher School in Vandalia celebrates 60 years

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n recognition of the fact that St. Christopher School in Vandalia has been operating as a Catholic school for 60 years, the present school staff and pastor, Father John Tonkin, invited the Sisters of the Precious Blood to celebrate with them at the 8 a.m. school Mass on November 1. Four Sisters, all of whom previously taught at St. Christopher, attended the Mass.

Among the group of Sisters was Sister Regina Albers who, along with Sister Evelyn Monnin and Sister Paula Wellman, opened the school in 1959 under the pastor, Father Aufderheide.

Another Sister present at the Mass was Sister Mary Ellen Lampe, who taught seventh grade from 1963 to 1965. She was followed by Sister Anna

From left, Sisters Mary Ellen Lampe and Anna Maria Sanders, Father John Tonkin, Sisters Lou Ann Roof and Regina Albers; Kim Thompson photo.

to 1978. Unfortunately, Sister Patty Kremer was out of town at a conference and unable to attend. Sister Patty served as principal at St. Christopher for 22 years. Other Precious Blood Sis... about 40 young students, ters who taught at the school but were dressed as various saints, not able to attend the processed into church and Mass were Sisters stood facing the congrega- Alice Schoettelkotte, Charlene Heidenreich tion. Parents and/or grand- and Florence Seifert.

Since it was All parents must have been Saints’ Day, the openbusy putting together the ing song was the Litany of All Saints. “saintly outfits.”

During the song, about 40 young stuMaria Sanders, who taught at dents, dressed as various St. Christopher for one year, saints, processed into church 1965-1966. The fourth Sister and stood facing the congrewas Sister Lou Ann Roof, who gation. Parents and/or grandserved as principal from 1968 parents must have been busy

putting together the “saintly outfits.” It was heartening to see such earnest effort, creativity and respect for the saints. At the homily time, Father John had each child tell which saint they were portraying.

There are now 291 students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Christopher. The Sisters of the Precious Blood were recognized and thanked for their years of service before Mass, during the homily and at the end of Mass. Father presented each Sister with a bouquet featuring a large decorated mum. Each Sister also received a pack of “thank you notes” written and decorated by the children and/or teachers.  Story by Sister Anna Maria Sanders

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Ministry

Tell the truth and hold them accountable:

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ince 2012, the Nuns on the Bus tours have traversed thousands of miles around the U.S., highlighting a range of issues in American society and politics.

The goal of this year’s tour was “to tell the truth about the Republican tax law and hold elected officials accountable for their votes.”

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes sweeping tax legislation — summaries of the new law can often run multiple pages. It is not quick or easy to explain the complex ramifications of the new law. That is why about 40 Catholic nuns boarded the bus to travel to 21 states over the course of 27 days, holding rallies and town hall meetings to educate the public about the law.

I joined Nuns on the Bus for a week, beginning Oct. 15 in Omaha, Nebraska, and made 13 stops with the group. While I was with the tour, we visited the offices of members of Congress who had voted for the tax bill, and who else had a poor record of leadership (lack of availability to constituents, or voting on bills that adversely affected the most vulnerable); visited resource centers including Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (IA), Heartland Health Services (IL), Cass Community Social Services (MI) and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (OH); and held various public events in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

At our town hall meetings, we enacted a “human bar graph” to show the state of the 8

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Top, Sister Mumbi speaks at the Youth Emergency Services & Shelter in Des Moines, Iowa; bottom, Sister Mumbi speaks at St. Sabina Church.

economy since the advent of Reaganomics and to show what growth (if any) has occurred in each economic quintile. We also showed how the 2017 tax bill and its accompanying issues — like possible funding cuts to programs — would affect each quintile. Each sister played the part of one quintile of the population, and as we paced off the steps representing that quintile’s wealth, we illustrated the vast economic differences

between each group.

I was struck by the overwhelming needs all over. The people in the lower economic quintiles are struggling to make ends meet, many times having to choose between basic necessities such as food or medicine. It was agonizing to listen to stories of suffering and pain. That said, I was Story by Sister Mumbi Kigutha; contributed photos

Top, Sister Mumbi in O'Fallon, Illinois, with Sister Carolyn Hoying, Lina Guerrero (a Precious Blood Volunteer), Sisters Donna Liette and Linda Pleiman and Precious Blood Missionary Greg Evers; bottom, town hall meeting in East Lansing, Michigan.

blown away by all the good work being done in different cities following an integrative approach of trying to cure the root of issues like poverty, homelessness and incarceration — not just the symptoms — while offering so many services under one roof or in one campus.

So many people who showed up at the events said that we were restoring their faith and

modelling what church should be. Precious Blood Spirituality, as is our baptismal mandate, is to work towards bringing about the reign of God, which translates into bringing hope.

I believe that when you show people that you genuinely care about them, this brings about some hope. You also can’t separate our spirituality from social justice because we are compelled to listen to the

cry of the blood. The cry of the blood happens to be particularly loud in these times we find ourselves living in.

I felt the support of the Precious Blood family when Sisters Donna Liette, Carolyn Hoying and Linda Pleiman, and Precious Blood Missionary Greg Evers, came to the town hall at St. Sabina Church in Chicago.

Precious Blood Spirituality calls us to communion and community, and seeing my Precious Blood family there was wonderful and empowering.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the other nuns, amazing support staff and delightful bus driver. I was also touched to see the interconnectedness of sisterhood, as we stayed in various motherhouses and convents each night, and the hospitality was outstanding. I also got a chance to talk about and share our charism and mission statement with the other nuns on the bus, as well as a documentary writer who was filming the journey.

Our beautiful Precious Blood Spirituality and charism is a much-needed balm for this very wounded world. The interconnectedness of humanity is not only national, but global. I rode the bus knowing that when America sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold. Policies enacted here will have a ripple effect and impact millions more people. It’s imperative that the work of social justice continues.

P.S. Out of 13 representatives’ offices visited who had a poor track record, eight were voted out on Nov. 6.  Fall 2018

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Nuns on the Bus 2018 tour

Ministry

PBMR purchases home with donated funds

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ust over a year ago, Precious Blood Sister Donna Liette — along with Father David Kelly, CPPS, and six women affiliated with the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation — appeared on the premiere episode of Megyn Kelly TODAY on NBC. During the program, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and Ace Hardware surprised Sister Donna with significant financial donations.

Now, thanks to those donations, PBMR has purchased a house on 51st Street — right across the street from the center, which offers a number of ministries for youth and families in Chicago’s embattled south side neighborhoods.

The newly acquired house will serve as short-term emergency housing for those facing homelessness. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimates that 80,384 people were homeless in Chicago in 2016.

Young men affiliated with the center are working with construction crews to learn valuable skills as the long-abandoned building is renovated.

“Not only are the young men learning new skills, but they work side by side with men who have years of experience with rehabbing houses.

These men can help mentor the young men in life skills, as well as in rehabbing old buildings,” Father David said. “It is great to hear our young men talk about the fact that they are building up their community and restoring these boarded-up houses.”

On Oct. 14, the Taco Fiesta Fall Fundraiser brought the 10

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Top, PBMR's newly purchased house; bottom, Joaquise King and Dashaun Hammoc work on renovating the house; contributed photos.

community together for Mass, music and food. Attendees were also able to see the center’s silk screening and carpentry shops in action, visit the center’s gardens, and carefully tour the new house in its rehabbing process.

“It will be a great day when the house is ready to open and offer short-term shelter

and services to those who are seeking to restore their lives and know healing and hope,” Sister Donna said.

Visit PBMR at https://pbmr. org — and follow updates on the renovation of the new house on Facebook at www. facebook.com/pbcenter.  Story by Mary Knapke

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his November, Cornelius German — better known as “Cornbread” — would have turned 21, but on April 22, 2013, he was gunned down by a 21-year-old seeking revenge. The gunman later revealed to authorities that he didn’t kill his intended target.

That spring evening, as Timika and her husband neared President Obama’s Secret Service protected house, they heard, “A little kid got shot,” and as Timika tells it, “Everything in me, my whole soul and body, knew it was Cornbread.” She ran to the site and fell to the ground. “Yes, my baby … gym shoes and jacket … yes, my baby … dead!”

Later, witnesses told her that his last words were, “Call my mama!” And she wept.

As she stood there for three hours while police searched the scene, she told of her wrestling with death, with God. Reflecting over her life, she suddenly felt a lifting of her heaviness as if Cornbread was taking her pain, her past, with him. Her life changed in this darkest of moments; she seemed to feel a resurrection, a real God moment. Three weeks later she was baptized at her church and she has not looked back, despite the ongoing challenges of life.

A year after Cornbread was killed, Timika’s sister died.

Sometime later, her older son was incarcerated and then her husband Ron struggled for over a year with health issues. Timika did not allow this struggle to disrupt her

faithfulness to her new way of living. She continued going to work each day and then to the hospital to be with her husband. On Tuesday, October 9, 2014, Timika called, asking if I could take her to the hospital.

The hospital had called and told her that Ron had suffered a major stroke. As she sat by his bedside weeping, she still looked for hope, but there was none. “I have to let go again,” she whispered, “and let God be God.” On the way home, I realized how privileged I was to witness such love, strength and acceptance of God’s plans.

Timika is an inspiration to me and others; she does not run away from tragedy but holds her brokenness and lets it do its work: transformation.

Timika is very active in our Mothers programs, especially our monthly healing circles.

No matter what she is going through, she can lift the pain of the mother who has just lost a child or have all the mothers doubled over with laughter as she pulls her wig off and shouts, “Halleluiah for wigs!”

The mission statement of the Sisters of the Precious Blood includes the phrase, “Be a life-giving presence in a broken world.” Every day I pray that I can be that for our mothers traumatized by the world around them — fearing for the life of their children, struggling with bills, searching for affordable housing, or just needing a bus pass to get to work. They tell of how these killings are dividing their

Ministry

Timika: wrestling with death and life

Cornelius German’s shoes; contributed photo.

families as they grieve their losses; they come to PBMR for healing, for peace.

PBMR is a home for so many — a place to feel safe, to feel love and acceptance, a place to call when trauma strikes home. PBMR gives each of us opportunities to witness the Paschal Mystery of dying and rising. As Timika so often says, “It took my Cornbread’s death to bring me to life, for I was so lost — and in ways, so dead — but Cornbread’s resurrection gave me resurrection.”

As we reflect on Timika’s story, all of us will continue to wrestle with God and with death and life, but let us stand strong, let go, and let God be God.  Story by Sister Donna Liette Sister Donna is a restor­ative justice practitioner at Pre­cious Blood Ministry of Recon­ciliation (PBMR) in Chicago. This article originally appeared in PBMR’s New Creation column.

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Community outreach An organization’s board of directors provides strategic leadership and advocates for the organization’s mission. Many Sisters of the Precious Blood serve the communities where they live and work by giving of their time, insight and active participation on a variety of governing boards. The organizations where they serve may focus on grantmaking, health care,

Sister Linda Pleiman

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regnancy and parenting support. Early childhood education. Transportation services. Long-term support services for seniors. Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley provides outreach and services to individuals throughout the life span — and each year, the agency assists more than 25,000 residents in Mercer, Auglaize, Darke, Shelby, Miami, Preble, Montgomery and Greene counties.

For the past few years, Sister Linda Pleiman has served on CSSMV’s finance committee and its board of directors, helping the agency’s staff fulfill its mission to strengthen “individuals and families in need through actions of faith, service and charity.”

“If you take a look at our Congregation’s mission statement to be a life-giving, reconciling presence, how can you not be a reconciling presence when you support an agency that is healing families, healing individuals, and helping to provide the resources that individuals and families need to make it in this world — to have a better and healthier and more enriching life?” Sister Linda said.

CSSMV was founded in 1921 12

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Members of the CSSMV board of directors (Sister Linda is bottom left); contributed photo.

as the Dayton branch office of the Bureau of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. In 1967, Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley was incorporated and took responsibility for the northern part of the archdiocese. Today, programming is coordinated from offices in both Dayton and Sidney. Supervised family visitation is available at the Center for Families (also known as “Erma’s House”) on Brown Street in Dayton. The early childhood education center,

Lincoln Academy, is located on the grounds of the Dayton V.A. Medical Center campus. The agency also provides professional counseling, operates food pantries, coordinates refugee resettlement, and offers support services in a host of other areas.

“This is a very, very good organization, and it’s a wellrun organization,” Sister Linda said. “It’s really an operation that’s trying to listen to the needs of the people.”  Story by Mary Knapke

through leadership

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retreats, social services or other work, but regardless of the group’s mission, the service of a Precious Blood Sister is always guided by Precious Blood Spirituality and our Congregation’s mission to "proclaim God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world." These are the stories of just a few of our Sisters who serve.

Sister Florence Seifert

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s a retired Sister, serving on boards of directors and board committees allows me to draw upon and put to good use the knowledge and skills gained in my past ministry experiences. Service on boards allows me to be involved outside myself and continue to grow as I come in contact with diverse people and needs.

Working with Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley especially made me more aware of the various needs of our own local communities and the efforts being made on their behalf. I have become more aware of the dedication of the laity to do the same things we have dedicated ourselves to.

I served on the CSSMV board for three years, and also served on the Maria Stein Shrine board from 2010 to 2018. Currently, I serve on the boards of the Brunner Literacy Center and the CPPS Heritage Mission Fund. The mission of each of these organizations is outreach and service to others.

Through my service on the Maria Stein Shrine board, I grew in my appreciation of the

Sister Florence welcomes the assembly to the Oct. 4, 2009, Mass of Thanksgiving with Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk at Precious Blood Church; Pat Morrison photo.

ways our Congregation — the many Sisters who have both lived and ministered there — has been a life-giving presence in that area. I learned much about the organization and functioning of a board from the expertise of the board’s lay members, and I enjoyed watching the lay board members embrace the history and spirituality of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. I thank God that our Congregation was willing to place care of the Shrine in the hands of the

laypeople of the area. Our spirituality and mission in Maria Stein will continue into the future, extending beyond ourselves.

Serving on boards is one way I can work in collaboration with other organizations and people. On each board and committee where I serve, I strive to be a life-giving presence. My life as a Sister of the Precious Blood influences who I am as I serve.  Story by Sister Florence Seifert

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Sister Arlene Hirsch

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s one of the first facilities of its kind in the country, Brigid’s Path is helping to create a roadmap for navigating the many complex aspects of caring for drug-exposed newborns and healing families affected by addiction. Located in Kettering, Ohio, Brigid’s Path was founded by two mothers who saw a need in the community — and Precious Blood Sister Arlene Hirsch has been along for the journey from the beginning.

“When I was asked to On the cover, Sister Arlene holds a baby boy; above, Sister Arlene and Bob Hausmann, AIA, LEED AP, president of the board of directors; Michelle Bodine photos. join the board of directors, I questioned whether I was track — so that we don’t just and I give each one a card the right person,” Sister Arthink legally and financially. with the baby’s name, and lene said. “I thought, ‘What So that we think from our the Sisters hold that baby and do I bring to this board?’ I heart and we always keep it, the family in their prayers. … don’t have a background number one, that we’re here The Sisters love it. They ask in finance, law or construcfor the babies and the famime about their babies all the tion” — vital aspects of eslies.” time. It’s wonderful. They tablishing the facility, which “They want a Sister there,” take it very seriously.” provides round-the-clock, Sister Arlene said. “And I’m Just as Sister Arlene aims short-term inpatient care for glad I can be to keep the Brigid’s Path newborns, as that Sister.” board focused on its mission, well as social Brigid’s Path was

In addishe herself is guided by the services for tion to atCongregation’s mission to a year after founded by two tending board “proclaim God’s love by bebabies are mothers who saw a meetings, ing a life-giving, reconciling discharged.

Sister Arlene presence.”

In Septemneed in the commualso cleans, “Brigid’s Path is trying to ber, Brigid’s nity — and Precious does laundry, do that, too,” she said. “TryPath was one Blood Sister Arlene and holds and ing to heal these families so of just four that this child can grow up in groups nomi- Hirsch has been along rocks babies — “whatever a loving family — and heal nated as a needs to be relationships within the family not-for-profit for the journey from done,” she by giving the mother the help organization the beginning. said. She also that she needs to overcome her of the year by involves Preaddiction. I think Brigid’s Path Dayton Busicious Blood Sisters in praying fits our charism one hundred ness Journal. for the babies and families percent.”  Sister Arlene said that as at Brigid’s Path. “When we she questioned her role, the get a baby, they call to let me board’s president told her, Story by Mary Knapke know. I have a list of Sisters, “You’re here to keep us on 14

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Sister Judy Kroeger

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n looking back, I am amazed at the role boards have played in my life. In the late 1970s and early ’80s, I served two terms on the board of Retreats International. Much later, in the early 2000s, I served three terms on the board of Bergamo Retreat Center, including serving as the first non-Marianist board chair. Around 2015, I served more than three years on a committee referred to as the Patient Advisory Board for Premier Health. Currently, I am serving on the CPPS Heritage Mission Fund board and the Maria Stein Shrine board.

The retreat boards reflected my ministry at our Maria Stein Retreat House. All retreat houses offer a place for prayer, hospitality and peace, which also speaks to being a life-giving, reconciling presence — part of our Congregation’s mission statement. The CHM Fund board is based on our CPPS spirituality and values. The Maria Stein Shrine board continues the Precious Blood Spirituality that has been going on for over 100 years. My years of ministry at Maria Stein reinforce my commitment to our CPPS legacy of Maria Stein Shrine.

Membership on the Patient Advisory Board also involved giving presentations to hospital staff members. Later, when visiting the hospital, I was surprised when staff members would stop me and say, “I remember what you said and how

Members of the CHM Fund board of directors meet for orientation April 29 (Sister Judy is third from left); Sister Joyce Lehman photo.

you felt when a nurse came work. This realization serves into your room and focused me well for my participation on the computer rather than on the CHM Fund and Maria you. I have changed and now Stein Shrine boards and in look at the patient when I ask continuing to be urged by the questions.” That experience redeeming love of Jesus — is life-giving and reconciling, another part of our mission and that’s Precious Blood statement — to live our PreSpirituality. cious Blood Other experiSpirituality.

'The CHM Fund ences that I

All boards shared were work mutually board is based on also menwith very talour CPPS spiritualtioned to me. ented people Boards are with varied ity and values. The imbued with backgrounds Maria Stein Shrine the charism, and experiboard continues the ences. The mission or ministry of Precious Blood Spiri- interchange the institution is challengtuality that has been or service ing, enriching, they provide. going on for over satisfying, During my stretching and 100 years.' years on the often more Bergamo — Sister Judy Kroeger than any one board, I of us could learned the have expected Marianist charism and the or imagined.  value of a charism permeatStory by Sister Judy Kroeger ing the members and their Fall 2018 15

News

Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School named one of the best in the nation

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other Teresa Catholic Elementary School, located in Liberty Township, Ohio, has been named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Department of Education says that National Blue Ribbon Schools “are on education’s cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices from professional learning communities and project-based learning to social and emotional learning and positive behavior systems.”

Precious Blood Sister Anne Schulz has led the school as principal since its founding.

It now serves 535 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“What an honor for the MTCES family!” Sister Anne said. “It takes a whole village to raise a child, and it takes a whole community to have a successful school. MTCES has worked so hard to keep its standards high and earn the Blue Ribbon award.”

Nationwide, 300 public and 49 nonpublic schools received the honor this year. MTCES is one of just 16 Blue Ribbon Schools in Ohio.

After achieving scores in the top 15 percent in the nation in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics as measured by a nationally normed test, Mother Teresa staff and board members, led by junior high English teacher Amanda Ocariz, completed 16

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Mother Teresa Elementary School was represented at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. by Amanda Ocariz, junior high English teacher (left); Brian James, MTCES board president (second from right); and Susan Gibbons, superintendent and director of educational services for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (right). The award was presented by Aba Kumi, director of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program (second from left). Photo by U.S. Department of Education.

an extensive application process. The school was then nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) to the Department of Education.

“Sister Anne has always said that Mother Teresa students are amazing individuals who excel in so many areas. Earning the Blue Ribbon honor has validated all of Sister Anne’s hard work and the dedication of Mother Teresa teachers, students and parents,” Ocariz said. “Mother Teresa School has always been driven by the idea that students can achieve anything when given the tools for success, and they certainly showed that with earning the Blue Ribbon award.”

“While MTCES has had many notable achievements

in its short existence, the 2018 National Blue Ribbon award is recognition of tireless effort from faculty, staff, students and parents since the beginning,” said MTCES Board Chairperson Brian James. “Not bad for an independent school that just two decades ago consisted of only 20 kindergartners and a teacher in a church basement! On behalf of the MTCES board of trustees both past and present, congratulations and a sincere thank you to those groups for all you have done to make it happen.”

Recognition ceremonies, as well as presentations and small group discussions, were held Nov. 7-8 in Washington, D.C.  Story by MTCES

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ister Charlene Herinckx, SSMO, paid a visit to Salem Heights in October.

Her community, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, grew from a small group of Precious Blood religious who left Ohio for Minnesota and, ultimately, Beaverton, Oregon.

Because of our shared history, Sister Charlene is a member of the Precious Blood Leadership Conference — and the Sisters of the Precious Blood and Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon are considered “cousin congregations.”

During a recent visit to Dayton for PBLC meetings, Sister Charlene presented an over-

view of SSMO history and current activities. The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon mark 1886 as the year of their founding, and education has been a hallmark of their ministry. Sister Charlene has served as superior general since 2010. Last year, Sister Charlene gives a presentation; Michelle Bodine photo. she received the University of Portland.  Christus Magister Medal — the university’s highest honor — from the Story by Mary Knapke

Committed to sustainable energy

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geothermal heating and cooling system was recently installed at our Orchard House, where some of our Sisters live and work.

Geothermal systems provide renewable energy by utilizing the constant temperature deep within the earth, and they operate efficiently and effectively regardless of weather conditions.

As one of 13 Laudato Si communities in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, our Congregation remains committed to acting responsibly in the use and care of our planet’s resources. A geothermal system was also installed at the CPPS administrative office building in May 2017.  Story by Mary Knapke

The drilling process of geothermal installation; Michelle Bodine photo.

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News

Catching up with our “cousins” from Oregon

News

Happy Birthday, Sister Eleanor!

Sister Eleanor McNally recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

She took some time to share a few memories — and a few secrets of longevity.

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ne hundred! Can’t be true, but would my mom and dad have lied? Of course not; the evidence is in. I am 100 years old!

So here begins the story.

My mother brought me into this world on December 2, 1918, three weeks to the hour after the Versailles treaty ending the First World War was signed. The place was Hollywood, California, where my dad worked as a cinematographer in early motion pictures.

Maybe that’s why my very first memory takes place in my father’s studio office of The Flying Ace. I see my little 3- or 4-year-old self petting the beautiful German Shepherd that lay sleeping under Dad’s desk. This was “Strongheart,” the first canine star of motion pictures, who had played a part in France during the First World War and who now was working for Hollywood. You will find his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (February 8, 1960) on Vine Street, incidentally the same street on which was our Hollywood home.

Fourteen years later, I entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood from St. Mary’s School in Phoenix where we were now living. Tough choice. Dayton is 1,800 miles away from Phoenix! There were times when I cried for loneliness to see my family, 18

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Sister Eleanor with her family from California and Sister Katie Lett; Sister Noreen Jutte photo.

but through it all, I persevered.

My teaching career (grade school, high school, college) began in 1939. This was followed by 11 years of administration and then work in parish ministry until I retired to Dayton in 2011.

How does one get through all the ups and downs of these many years? I have to say that without friends I would not have made it. Their support in times of grief and sorrow helped smooth the path to recovery. Without them, there would have been few of the truly joyous times. Most of my good friends have passed away, but I still feel their presence and love in my everyday life. Today I thank God for those friends I still have who support this old but very “stand-tall” Sister with her faithful walker.

I have discovered another key to making it through. I try not to worry unless I have to.

If you worry and “it” doesn’t happen, you have wasted a worry. If you worry and it does happen, you’ve worried a needless second time. Added

to this bit, but very important, is daily counting my blessings and thanking God for them.

There’s a third point I would like to make and it is the most important of all. While on retreat I watched two little ducks in the patio pool paddling away to keep up with their mother.

Then came the day when all I saw was the mother duck sitting under a light fixture on the edge of the pool. It had been known that hawks sometimes swooped down and picked up the babies. A few moments of sorrow. And then suddenly out from under her wing popped a little head. Ah, this is how I have survived these hundred years: running for shelter under God’s comforting wings.

Scripture tells me in Psalm 17, “Hide me in the shadow of your wings,” and in Psalm 57, “In the shadow of your wings I take refuge.” And with this comfort of my beloved God and Savior, I begin my next hundred years!  Story by Sister Eleanor McNally

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ovember and December contain two of our most cherished holidays as Christians and as Americans. With these holidays comes the emphasis on special foods. It is a blessing to have enough food to sustain us and to be able to share it with others during our family and community celebrations.

During holidays and every day, our prayer at mealtime serves to thank God for what we receive. It can be expanded for greater unity, to honor the relationships that Pope Francis calls for us to nurture in equal part: relationship with God, with the Earth and with one another.

The food we eat unites us with God, with people and with the Earth through its production, harvest, sale and preparation. If we articulate that in our prayer, perhaps even visualizing a particular

food item going from farm to table, we are reminded of our inseparable bond with the Earth and with the network of people who bring our food to us. These bonds are better understood and strengthened by our very reflection on them.

And this contemplation, in turn, is a gift. It brings us into the wholeness of creation, cultivating our awareness and helping to ground us in what is important in this life. We become more mindful of those who don’t have what we have, which hopefully translates positively to our lifestyle/consumer decisions, our volunteerism, our charitable giving, etc.

Being more intentional in our mealtime prayer also, no doubt, causes us to reflect on the nutritional benefit (or not) of the food we’re choosing. We can think about its source and whether it is produced in a sustainable or ethical way.

Maintaining solidarity with others is an important and necessary component of being a Christian. It is the work of peacebuilding as we cultivate these relationships, opening our heart wider to the Holy Spirit, which leads to personal transformation and fulfillment.

My prayer below can be used for grace at meals or as you like.

If you’re not accustomed to including these elements in your prayer, I invite you to give it a try for a while and see what you think. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being intentional and aware and making the best choices you can in your particular situation and circumstances.

I pray that at your mealtimes, you are able to slow down, connect and let your prayer and your food feed you — body, mind and soul.  Story by Colleen Kammer; photo

by Sister Mumbi Kigutha

Almighty God, our Creator We thank you for this food which nourishes our bodies, for its taste, its sustenance, and for the promise of life that it gives.

We are grateful for income that allows us to purchase what we need.

We pray for those who are unemployed or who do not make a living wage.

We thank you for amazing earth processes that transform elements in the air, soil and water to edible food.

Help us live up to our responsibility to protect the Earth, so that we and our descendants can remain healthy, in turn.

Bless those who labor to bring this food to our table, and for the dignity of their work.

We pray for the majority of our world’s brothers and sisters who live in rural or urban poverty.

We ask you for the necessary change of heart, values, understanding and governance, among all people, so that the least among us can become the persons that you, God, have called them to be.

In unity with all creation, we ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Peace, Justice & Ecology

Nourished in body, mind and soul

Peace, Justice & Ecology

Ambassador Tony Hall thanks Sisters for food access help

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ood access promoters from the Gem City Market, Co-op Dayton and the Hall Hunger Initiative, including former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture Tony P. Hall, spoke to the Sisters at Salem Heights on September 19. The purpose of their visit was to update the Sisters about the planned Gem City Market (GCM) in Dayton. They also delivered their personal thanks for the Sisters’ financial contribution to the project.

GCM, the future workerand member-owned full-service grocery store, will break ground in the next several months on lower Salem Avenue. The GCM is an exciting endeavor for Dayton in that many organizations, institutions and businesses are committed to addressing a critical problem in the community — food insufficiency — and are coming together to lend expertise and financial support to make the dream of a market in one of Dayton’s food deserts a reality.

Lela Klein gave an informative PowerPoint presentation about the market to about 30 Sisters. Klein is the executive director of Co-op Dayton (formerly the Greater Dayton Union Co-op Initiative), the umbrella organization of the GCM. The mission of Co-op Dayton is to address the food crisis and to incubate workerowned businesses in the city.

It was formed in 2015 and the 20

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Top, Colleen begins the presentation on the Gem City Market; bottom, from left, Colleen, Etana Jacobi, Lela Klein, Tony Hall and Kenya Baker; Michelle Bodine photos.

Gem City Market is its first project.

Sister Pat Will said afterwards, “I really enjoyed the presentation. It’s not often that we (Sisters) get to hear directly from one of the organizations

that we financially support.”

Sister Angeline Hoffman said she was very touched and continued on Page 21 Story by Colleen Kammer

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gray, rain-soaked Saturday morning was brightened by the festive displays at the Ethical Fair Trade Sale held Dec. 1 at the University of Dayton. Our Congregation was one of several vendors at the sale, where Dayton-area parishes and local communities came together to sell coffee, tea, chocolate and handcrafted items from individual artisans and small-scale farmers around the world.

Precious Blood Sisters sold purses, pillows, journals, ornaments, nativity scenes and a host of other items, all handmade in Guatemala. Proceeds support the Precious Blood mission in Guatemala, including Holy Mary of the Most Precious Blood School and our House of Studies. The Ethical Fair Trade sale is coordinated by the archdiocese’s Catholic Social Action Office in partnership with Weavers of Justice.  Story and photos by Mary Knapke

Top, from left, Sisters Patty Kremer and Paula Gero, Colleen Kammer, Sisters Marita Beumer and Ann Clark; bottom, items from Guatemala for sale.

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excited for what the possibilities for Dayton would be from this endeavor. She and Sister Pat bought Gem City Market T-shirts as a show of support.

A few days after the presentation, Sisters Ceil Taphorn, Jeanette Buehler and Pat Will attended a large block party to celebrate the Gem City Market at its future location on Salem Avenue. This location is a prime one, the presenters

said, since it lies in one of the city’s food deserts; it is accessible via a public bus route; and it is near to downtown, where the growing professional resident population can provide a base of support for the market.

It was an honor to host Ambassador Hall, Dayton’s former 24-year representative to the U.S. Congress and a three-time nominee for the

Nobel Peace Prize. He continues to be an advocate for the needs of people without access to food in his hometown of Dayton, and throughout the United States and around the world. Regarding Ambassador Hall’s visit to the Congregation, Sister Pat remarked, “It was a positive affirmation for our community about the outreach that we do.”  Fall 2018 21

Peace, Justice & Ecology

Precious Blood Sisters participate in ethical fair trade sale

Peace, Justice & Ecology

Reaching out with SOAP

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tiny bar of soap could change someone’s life.

This fall, several Precious Blood Sisters gathered to label bars of soap with the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). The soap is distributed to area motels, where trafficked and other vulnerable individuals may see the phone number and be able to seek help.

Colleen Kammer — our director of peace, justice and ecology — coordinates the Sisters’ efforts with SOAP (Save our Adolescents from Prostitution), an organization founded

by University of Dayton alumna Theresa Flores, herself a survivor of sex trafficking. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is operated by Polaris, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization based in Washington, D.C. Funding for the hotline is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and private donors.  Story by Mary Knapke

Top, from left (clockwise), Colleen helps label the bars of soap with Sisters Claire Sharpshair, Berenice Janszen, Ritamary Bulach, Laura Will, Jane Francis Hoffman and Joan DeChristopher; bottom, from left, Sisters Verlina Mescher and Rosalie Kastner. Michelle Bodine photos.

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 and winter birthdays.

DECEMBER

1 2 2 8 8 22 27 31 31

Barbara Brown Berenice Janszen Eleanor McNally Mary Garke Patricia Will LaKesha Church Gerri McGeorge Ritamary Bulach Donna Liette

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2 6 10 12 17 17 18 19 29

JANUARY

Anne Schulz Nancy Raley Pat Gist Madonna Ratermann Katie Lett Cecilia Taphorn Mary Anne Schiller Carolyn Hoying Rosemary Lindemann

8 12 16 18 19 24 28 28

FEBRUARY

Paula Gero Theresa Rizzo Regina Albers Barbara Ann Hoying Marita Beumer Eva Roehrich Verlina Mescher Margie Zureick

to a priest outside of Mass.

And in order for young people to discern religious life, they must know it exists!

3) Affirm the youth and young adults you are around!

If you see a young person in church or on retreat, acknowledge their faithfulness and ask if they’ve considered religious life. You don’t have to have a long conversation or even know their name. Simply say-

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• Historical Society of Michigan.

I have also provided: • Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recre ation 101 classes.

• Educational programs in six state parks.

• Educational events for six garden clubs.

• “Brain training” workshop for the Grand Rapids Do minican Sisters.

• Activities at the annual environmental fair for Isabel la County third grade classes.

• Field experiences with fungi for children.

Now I am working with

ing, “You would make a great sister” can be God’s whisper to them. Caution: Don’t go around saying this to everyone! Be authentic; that is, say it only if you mean it!

4) Lastly, pray for all young people. Pray for your children, your nieces, nephews, your students or even those whom you do not know. Pray that they may authentically discern how God is calling them to live a life of holiness. Pray with them if possible, or re-

mind them of your prayers for them!

As the vocation ministry coordinator, I am here to support you. If you would like resources, please let me know.

I can provide books, prayers, websites or suggestions on how to have conversations. I welcome the opportunity to talk with you or any young person you know.

We are all called to be vocation ministers and I am very grateful for your help! 

leaders of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, planning a series of events with them. Also, I have been interviewed by several radio stations and was videotaped this past spring for a WCMU public television program called Destination Michigan.

I also write many articles for our Michigan mushroom club state newsletter, Spores Illustrated; the NAMA newsletter; and our own Grassroots newsletter, and I am on the board of Midwest American Mycological Information (MAMI), preparing for licensing Michigan inspectors of wild foraged mushrooms by materials, classes and testing in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture. I have

also mentored several future educational foray leaders.

Again, I thank the Creator for sending me on this fruitful fungal journey, and all who have assisted. Remember the motto “Mycologists Have More Fun-gi” and let us all enjoy and give thanks for our life here promoting, preserving and using God’s environmental creations here on earth.

Remember, there is no real life without spirituality. Fungi help to clean up our environment; they have been used to remediate toxic waste pits and even break down nonbiodegradable plastics. Fungi are thought to be the first form of life and have been created to continue to support the scheme of life in God’s creation. 

In Sympathy Sister Thelma Wurzelbacher on the death of her brother, Tom, on September 17.

Sister Rosemary Lindemann on the death of her brother-in-law, Bill Gulick, on October 1.

Sister Barbara Ann Hoying on the death of her sister, Helen, on October 16.

Sister Verlina Mescher on the death of her sister-in-law, Vernice (Micky), on November 16.

Remembering Amaly Charruf Gannon, former member, on September 7.

Gary Pierron, husband of Ursula Pierron, our former Sister Lucy Monnin, on November 29.

Fall 2018 23

Con't articles /In Sympathy

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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID DAYTON, OH Permit No. 966

4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426-2399

Opening doors in Dayton and Findlay

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recious Blood Sisters recently celebrated milestone anniversaries for two housing agencies founded by our Sisters.

In 1988, Sister Dorothy Kammerer founded Homefull (then called “The Other Place”), which continues to receive support from the CPPS Heritage Mission Fund. Homefull works to

end homelessness by providing housing, services, advocacy and education in both western Ohio and St. Louis, Missouri. In 2017, Homefull provided assistance to nearly 4,500 people throughout its different programs.

In Findlay, Ohio, Hope House celebrated Founders Day on Nov 19. In 1990, Hope House was founded by Precious Blood

Sisters as a shelter to house 10 women and their children. It is now composed of several housing programs and assists with securing safe and affordable housing for over 7,000 individuals each year.

To learn more about each agency, visit www.homefull.org and www.findlayhopehouse. org. 

Left, from left, Sisters Judy Kroeger, Maryann Bremke, Patty Kremer, Joyce Lehman and Marita Beumer; Emily Stamas photo; right, Sister Karen Elliott; contributed photo.

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