Sharing & Caring Fall 2020

Sharing & Caring Volume 31 Number 2 • Fall 2020 Sisters of the Precious Blood • Dayton, Ohio • www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org

Staying Connected

From the President’s Desk

Dear friends and family,

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s I write these words, we find ourselves in a recurring surge of COVID-19 with the hope of a vaccine coming soon. All of our lives have been affected in many ways these past months. Significant among them is communication. In this issue of Sharing & Caring we share how we, both young and not-so-young, have adapted to these times with new ways of communicating. We also look back to ways we communicated in the past.

The other week, one of our Sisters made a comment that we are suffering from “rela­ tional poverty.” It made me reflect on the fact that we are communicating and yet some­thing is missing. “Relational poverty” involves

healed the woman afflicted with hem­orrhaging who touched his cloak he said, “Who touched me?” When he appeared to “startled and terrified” disciples after his resurrection, he said, “Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when the apostle Thomas was skeptical of Christ’s resurrection, Jesus invited him to reach out and feel his wounds. We have been deprived of touch as a means of com­municating for the past nine months.

During my 34 years in Chile, saying hello and saying goodbye usually involved a hug or a kiss. I find myself longing for the day when we can communicate our care for one another by more than

I think about how often Jesus healed not just by word, but by touch. When he healed the woman afflicted with hemorrhaging who touched his cloak he said, “Who touched me?” We have been deprived of touch as a means of communicating for the past nine months.

— Sister Edna Hess the lack of communicating through touch. Much is communicated through a handshake, a hug, a kiss, our body language.

I think about how often Jesus healed not just by word, but by touch. When he 2

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just words. So many special moments like weddings, funerals, birthdays and anniversaries have had to be celebrated without touch, which is so much a part of expressing joy or sadness. All of us are experiencing “relational

poverty.”

I am grateful for the ways our elderly Sisters at the Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and at Salem Heights have adapted during this pandemic time.

Like you, they are persevering through isolation and relational poverty. Many of them have learned to communicate through Zoom or FaceTime. The one constant continues to be communication with God. No technology is needed for that! Know that you are held in their prayers, and they trust they are held in yours.

May this Christmas season fill your hearts with the beautiful gifts of joy, peace, hope and love. 

Sister Edna Hess President, Sisters of the Precious Blood

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n some ways, the pandemic has been a blessing for our vocation ministry. Not only has it provided time and space for women to slow down, pray and evaluate their goals, but it has forced me to be creative in the ways I reach out to young women.

In lieu of in-person gatherings, we began hosting virtual events and were blown away by the number of women attending. In late September, we held a four-day virtual “Come and See” retreat. For an hour each evening, women gathered in an online room to hear talks from Sisters, learn about our spirituality and build a community of discerners.

These women spanned time zones, states, countries and cultures.

Throughout the week, it became clear that even if we were not in the middle of a pandemic, these women would not have been able to gather in-person together for a retreat like this. Some had jobs they couldn’t leave; some could not have afforded to travel. Others were not ready

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.

to share with their families or friends that they were discerning religious life. An online atmosphere allowed them to work around these barriers, and they were grateful for the opportunity to be together, pray and learn.

In some ways, an online gathering of this type has become a new step in our discernment process, a new way for women to connect with us and with one another. It’s not as intimate as a personal phone call, but more intimate

online retreat, some women have been interested in taking the next step and meeting with a Sister one-on-one via Zoom or other online portal. Other women continue to participate in similar online discussions and discernment exercises.

The process has reminded me to meet women where they are. Discerning any major life decision often begins in a very private way — especially for women who aren’t sure what their family or friends might think. The Sisters of the

“Those Zoom calls each evening really filled my cup in a way I was not anticipating, but which was most welcome.”

– Virtual Come and See participant than a newsletter, watching a video or visiting our website.

Discerners are able to engage with Sisters in a group or individually, ask questions, share their concerns, or confide in like-minded women on a similar path.

After participating in an

Precious Blood have always been women who meet the needs of the time. I’m thankful Maria Anna Brunner’s legacy and lessons can live on, even through Zoom!  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) 715-9580 email: mbodine@cppsadmin.org

Layout and Design Michelle Bodine, Communications Coordinator

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

Printing

PRINTED WITH SOY INK ON RECYCLED PAPER

Contributing writers: Jenna Legg, Vocation Ministry Coordinator; Sarah Aisenbrey, Archivist

Fall 2020

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Vocations

Virtual vocations: Reaching out globally

News

Setting the table

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he Congregation’s foundress, Maria Anna Brunner, was known for distributing loaves of bread to the hungry. With Mother Brunner in mind — along with the Congregation’s commitment to serve wherever the needs of the time call us — the congregational Council recently approved a significant donation to the local nonprofit Miami Valley Meals.

The donation enabled MVM to purchase a freezer and walk-in cooler and contributed to the costs of a communitywide Thanksgiving Day meal.

Tom Bensman, an MVM board member, and Amanda DeLotelle, the organization’s executive director, recently visited the congregational Council to share information about the quickly growing group. “When they told us about their efforts to feed the hungry, we couldn’t help but think of Mother Brunner and her love for the poor,” said Sister Edna Hess, President of the Congregation. “So we decided to help them to

continue this great work.”

Miami Valley Meals was formed in March by Chef Matt DeAngulo, who rallied a group of fellow chefs who found themselves furloughed at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. DeAngulo was formerly the executive chef at Citilites, the fine dining establishment inside the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton.

He first collaborated with Bill Evans on getting the project off the ground. Evans was executive director of the House of Bread — the community kitchen co-founded by Precious Blood Sister Dorothy Kammerer — for over a decade, and owned and operated

Evans Bakery in Dayton. He is also a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Dayton.

In a typical week, MVM cooks 4,500 meals and delivers them to numerous client organizations, which then distribute the meals to individuals and families. The day before Thanksgiving, 6,000 meals were handed out at two locations, University of Dayton Arena and Trotwood-Madison High School.

“What a joy for us as Sisters of the Precious Blood to contribute to this good work and thereby enable Mother Brunner to contribute to good works even today,” Sister Edna said.  Story by Mary Knapke

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.

1 2 2 8 22 27 31

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DECEMBER

Barbara Brown Berenice Janszen Eleanor McNally Mary Garke LaKesha Church Gerri McGeorge 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

FEBRUARY

8 Paula Gero 12 Theresa Rizzo 16 Regina Albers 18 Barbara Ann Hoying 19 Marita Beumer 24 Eva Roehrich 28 Margaret Zureick

S

ince 2004, the Sisters of the Precious Blood have honored Sisters who have passed away by planting memorial trees. To date, 143 trees have been planted throughout four properties: the congregational administrative offices, Farmhouse, Orchard House and Salem Heights, including the Memorial Gardens. With each tree is a plaque stake bearing the name of a Sister with her birth and death dates.

Sister Judy Niday manages the project, working with A. Brown & Sons Nursery in Brookville to decide on the best types of trees and locations for planting. A variety of tree species are chosen through research on Ohio native trees or the expertise of Brown’s Nursery, as well as preferences or suggestions Sisters might have for a specific tree. The Congregation’s maintenance crew tends to the trees, particularly in the first year or two, and protects any that are invaded by deer.

“Trees remind me of the rhythm of life we all share.

They have seasons and so do we,” Sister Judy said. “It’s amazing how the roots during winter drink in nutrients necessary for them to spring forth greening and shading the earth for summer. They bow and bend just as we do in praise of our Creator. As summer transitions into winter, the fall season bursts into splashes of red, orange and yellow as colder temperatures arrive on the scene. Trees begin to let go and bare their strength to withstand winter once again.”

Behind the Congregation’s

decision to initiate the project 16 years ago was Precious Blood spirituality, which at its core holds that all life is sacred. A remembrance written on the third anniversary of the project highlights the connection between Precious Blood spirituality and the memorial trees:

News

Memorial trees offer peace

Memorial tree map of the CPPS Administration Offices

All life has come from the creative hands of God. Therefore all life, human, plant, animal, must be cared for, nurtured, respected, maintained. Because this is a core belief of Precious Blood Eucharistic spirituality, the Sisters of the Precious Blood during Spirit Days 2004 chose to focus on God’s universe as a means of deepening the Congregation’s prayer and mission to enter into Jesus’ Ministry of Reconciliation. Depletion of the earth’s vegetation, specifically trees, is an area of concern as we strive to value all of creation. In the interest of the gentle care of the earth as well as to honor each sister who dies, the Council has elected to plant a tree as a living memorial.

The first tree was planted in honor of Sister Mary Agnes Plas, who cherished the beauty of all creation and instilled this love for the earth into her students as well as the Sisters.

Sister Genevieve Volk enjoys walking through the Memorial Gardens at Salem Heights, the

Congregation’s central house in Dayton. When she sees the trees planted in memory of Sisters, “I feel close to the Sisters who are now in heaven.

I feel their presence and imagine them smiling down at me and encouraging me to continue the God Quest,” she said.

She continued: “A tree is a lovely and fitting remembrance of a Sister’s life. Like the tree, we are planted on earth to begin our life’s journey. Like the tree, we, with the sunshine and water of God’s grace, grow and stretch toward the heavens where one day we will reach our ultimate goal: to be with God, see God face to face and join our Sisters and our departed loved ones who now enjoy Eternal Bliss.

“As I notice the leaves dropping from these memorial trees, I heed the lesson the falling leaves teach. I, too, must let go, let go of all that keeps me from loving God with my whole heart. Whether it is something big or small this practice of letting go will prepare me for the final letting go: the falling into God’s arms.”  Story by Mary Knapke

Fall 2020

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Palettes of Prayer

Creative pursuits of all types allow us to express thoughts and feelings that can sometimes be difficult to put into words. Color, form, texture or sound can take us to a place beyond language as we continually seek transcendent experiences that elevate, challenge and inspire.

Many Sisters of the Precious Blood make art and crafts, and while the forms of their creations vary widely — carving, painting, quilting, singing and many more — they share in common a means of communion with others, and a way to reflect the beauty of God.

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uilting, sewing, spinning, crochet, knitting, weaving and handmade greeting cards — Sister Mary Lou Schmersal enjoys a broad spectrum of activities that combine form and function to create an object that is both beautiful and useful.

When an item is given away, it also represents a connection between the maker and the recipient, adding a sense of presence and prayer.

Sister Mary Lou learned to sew as a child and developed an interest in a variety of fiber arts. In 2011, she initiated the Warm Cap Project at her parish, St. Michael the Archangel in Findlay, Ohio. Today, around two dozen ladies utilize knitting, crochet and loom knitting to create caps, scarves and mittens in a wide range of colors and styles.

“The goal was to engage adults in the parish and in the area in an activity that would benefit others,” Sister Mary Lou said. “Almost all the yarn we use has been donated, and over time we have created thousands of items and distribute them to several dozen agencies each year.”

Ladies meet monthly to pray, discuss organizational details and share what they have made. In recent months during the pandemic, they have conducted meetings online or, 6

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when the weather has been nice, they have met in the church parking lot so that they could maintain social distancing but still gather in person.

The group continually brainstorms to think of organizations that might accept donated caps. “We have a large parish, so we have lots of connections with health care agencies, cancer centers, hospice, schools, the homeless shelter, local police department and many more,” Sister Mary Lou said. “It’s just a matter of noticing what the needs Top, caps knitted by the Warm Caps Project; bottom, the are in the area and met in the St. Michael the Archangel parking lot, Findthen getting in touch group lay, Ohio, when the weather was nice; contributed photos. with people.”

She said the project also gives older people a which were given to a variety chance to benefit others even of groups and individuals, when they themselves are not such as a local doctor’s ofable to get out. fice and a number of Precious Aside from the Warm Caps Blood Sisters.

Project, Sister Mary Lou also “It just depends on what the makes caps for a soup kitchen needs are,” she said. “All of in Toledo to give to anyone my activities tap into a creative who might need them, and for space that moves me to prayer Sister Jean René Hoying to disand appreciation for color, tribute to homeless shelters in nature, insight and awareness the Dayton area. Sister Pat Gist beyond myself.”  also joined Sister Mary Lou in making nearly 300 face masks, Story by Mary Knapke

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know, for many, the statement “Black Lives Matter” can be controversial or problematic. I often hear the counter response, “All Lives Matter” or among police “Blue Lives Matter.” And, of course, all are true.

But if we are honest, and truly want to understand what is behind the statement that Black lives matter, we have to be willing to try to understand what it is like growing up Black in America.

The Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation has an arts program. It is not because we are an arts organization, but because the arts allow us to express a part of ourselves that otherwise is left unspoken. At the very core of trauma healing is being able to speak out loud the pain that you carry.

If you are not able to acknowledge your pain or if your pain remains foreign to you, then your pain will continue to injure you as well as others.

Here’s a poem for the world to hear: Your world

by Joseph K. Why can’t I live in your world?

A world where children don’t die on the way to the park?

Why can’t I live in a place Where I don’t have to watch my back?

Where the police are there to serve and protect?

People ask about the violence without understanding.

Don’t you see?

Can’t you understand?

Your world has what children need; my world doesn’t.

I can’t see tomorrow.

I just can’t.

I am tryin’ People be tellin’ me, “Your gotta think of your future.”

But I can’t see it.

People want to see it for me like it’s theirs.

You think I don’t want to see it?

You think I like thinking about dying?

Hell no!

But that’s what I know.

What I know is that I saw how they killed my homie, my friend, my best friend!

I saw how they killed my uncle and his brother and my mama’s father.

Killing is in my blood - it’s my heritage.

You talk about a job, or going to college or a career.

But you don’t know.

You don’t want to know.

I can’t see tomorrow.

A longtime youth worker once said that the greatest thing we can offer our children is our time and our attention.

No program, no curriculum, no project is as powerful as allowing a child to be heard, to know that (s)he is not alone, and to openly speak of the wounds that (s)he carries. That is equally true for us adults.

Black Lives Matter is, at its core, a call for us to listen and

to try to understand. Black Lives Matter, as a movement or cry, does not mean that all lives don’t matter; it means that there are those in our society who have a different experience than those of us who are white, not because of their character, but because of the color of their skin.

I would like to conclude with this quote from Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, Fratelli Tutti: “It is my desire that, in this our time, by acknowledging the dignity of each human person, we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration to fraternity.

Fraternity between all men and women. “Here we have a splendid secret that shows us how to dream and to turn our life into a wonderful adventure. No one can face life in isolation… We need a community that supports and helps us, in which we can help one another to keep looking ahead.

How important it is to dream together… By ourselves, we risk seeing mirages, things that are not there. Dreams, on the other hand, are built together”.* Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.” (Fratelli Tutti, #8)  *Address at the Ecumenical and Interreligious Meeting with Young People, Skopje, North Macedonia (7 May 2019): L’Osservatore Romano, 9 May 2019, p. 9.

Story by Father David Kelly, C.PP.S., executive director, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation

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Ministry

I can’t see tomorrow

Archives

Inside the CPPS Archives – Early This column will showcase a different artifact or document from the CPPS Archives in each issue of Sharing & Caring.

D

uring the pandemic, we have all had to be creative with how we communicate with each other.

Luckily, we have email, Zoom and other ways to connect electronically. In the early days of the history of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, the Sisters also had to be creative with communication. With the Congregation spread throughout the country and the world, the Sisters relied heavily on letters for most of their history.

In 1835, a year after the Con-

gregation was founded, Mother Brunner, the Sisters’ Foundress, received a letter from her son, Father Francis de Sales Brunner (who would become the Sisters’ spiritual director and bring them to the United States in 1844). Father Brunner, traveling throughout Europe, updated his mother on his adventures and reassured her of his return: “Do not worry about my return. I’ll come as soon as it is pleasing to God. ... We must watch over ourselves so that we may not become unworthy to

have our Savior so close to us.”

Over 100 years later, the Sisters began a ministry in Chile. In 1956, Mother Aquinas Stadtherr, President of the Congregation, wrote to Reverend Leonard Fullenkamp in Chile asking about what books the Sisters should bring for teaching non-English-speaking students. She also mentions working on obtaining the Sisters’ visas, which all had to Story by Sarah Aisenbrey; photos from the CPPS Archives collection

Left, Father Brunner’s letter to his mother written in German; right, Mother Aquinas writes to Reverend Leonard Fullenkamp in Chile.

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be completed by mail. “We are anxious to get our order into the Book Companies so that we could take the books with us when we leave here for Chile. We have already made considerable preparations for our departure on December 26. We sail from New York on the Santa Margarita on December 28. We shall arrive in Chile on January 16.”

In 1988, Sister Rosalina Gonzales wrote a letter from Guatemala, another new ministry for the Sisters of the Precious Blood. She gave a general update and ended with, “I am very happy and grateful to God for calling me to serve and walk with the Guatemalan people ... and to our Congregation for making it possible.”

In 1951, the Sisters started a post office, Contract Station No. 2, in the lobby of Salem Heights

(now the Maria Joseph Center).

The main reason the post office began was so the Sisters could more efficiently send out the very large quantities of Communion hosts to the local community from their Altar Bread Department, as well as vestments to local parishes from the Liturgical Arts Department.

Contract Station No. 2 steadily grew and became open to the

public. In 1977, the Dayton Daily News published an article about the post office titled “They’re small but friendly.” The article quotes Sister Catherine Kroll who says, “Our business is increasing all the time. We have a lot more outside customers.

The next nearest post offices are in Miracle Lane shopping center or Trotwood. This is so much more convenient.” 

Top, two of the original boxes made by the Sisters to mail Communion hosts; bottom, Sister Rosalina sent frequent letters from Guatemala to the Sisters in Dayton.

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Archives

Communication: Snail Mailing Sisters

Cover Story

Staying Connected P

recious Blood Sisters serve wherever, and however, they are needed — and in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that means many Sisters have shifted their ministries online. For many Sisters, just as for so many others around the world, that means keeping in touch with friends, family and Sisters on FaceTime or Zoom, or conducting meetings online.

Not all ministry and outreach can be taken out of a traditional context: Sisters working in health care and some educational settings continue to serve in face-to-face settings, with the now-familiar adaptations of wearing masks and social distancing. But for others, moving their ministry online has been a sometimesbumpy — but ultimately rewarding — process.

Sister Jeanette Buehler participates, along with Sister Judy Niday, in the women’s interfaith discussion group, an enriching interfaith opportunity in Dayton. Over the past several years, women of different religious groups, primarily Jewish, Christian and Muslim, have come together in informal, interactive sessions to learn about and understand each other’s faith traditions.

Prior to COVID-19, such gatherings included presentations, conversations and lots of food, 10

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and as many as 90 women met at various synagogues, churches and mosques.

Since coronavirus restrictions were implemented in mid-March, such in-person gatherings were no longer possible. Beginning in September, digital meetings on Zoom have enabled the women to reconnect. The topic that first month was “Political Activism,” followed by “Abraham:

For the past seven years, she has served as a spiritual director and facilitator for United Theological Seminary in Trotwood, working on a team of spiritual directors and facilitators from a variety of faith traditions to connect with and guide students as they assimilate theology, practical ministry skills, personal life and call exploration. For the past five years, her work has been

On the cover, Precious Blood Sisters in a variety of Zoom calls. Clockwise from top left, Zoom screenshots of Sisters Joyce Langhals, Mumbi Kigutha and Donna Liette, Joyce Lehman, residents at Salem Heights.

Our Common Father” in October and “How Many Times Should You Knock: Commandments for Everyday Life” in November. For further information or to register for meetings, email ladiesinterfaith@gmail.com.

Sister Judy has previous experience in online ministry:

primarily online.

“The class work is set up by the contextual ministry director on a program called Canvas. All I have to do is go into the program and find my class and follow the syllabus and rubrics in grading and posting Story by Mary Knapke

my responses to their work,” Sister Judy explained.

She works with six to eight students during the academic year, which typically begins with a three-day in-person retreat. Due to the pandemic, this year’s retreat was conducted online, with presentations and group discussions taking place through a web conferencing program.

“There are many challenges

Whether in person or online, Sister Judy said she continues to enjoy her interactions with UTS students. “I am in awe as I read their weekly reflections of their individual life’s journeys,” she said. “They gift me with a greater appreciation of the varied ways in which God’s Word and work gets done.”

Sister Jeanette also coordinates prayer vigils to commem-

Clockwise from top left, Zoom screenshots of Sisters Edna Hess, Benita Volk, Patty Kremer and Nancy Raley.

for the online students. They are trying to balance school, family, work, church and personal spiritual practices,” Sister Judy said. “On the other hand, it is a positive because they can stay at home and not leave family behind to be on campus, as well as cutting down costs for travel and housing.”

orate homicides in the Dayton area, a ministry in which the Congregation has participated for many years. In the past, the prayer vigils were held at sites where homicides had occurred.

Although site visits are no longer possible during the pandemic, victims and their families are not forgotten. Notifications of homicides are sent out

to members of the vigil group on a regular basis, along with a modified prayer.

Since the beginning of COVID-19 restrictions, there have been over 35 homicides in the neighborhoods where vigils are usually conducted. Whenever possible, attempts are made to inform family members of the group’s care and prayer through funeral homes whenever obituaries are published.

“With daily coronavirus deaths at the forefront of our minds, and at the center of each news report, homicides that occur during this time may be overlooked. Yet each victim’s death, regardless of manner, leaves loved ones behind,” Sister Jeanette said.

“All life is precious, all life is gift from a loving Creator God. There is a saying: ‘Hope is believing in light in the midst of darkness and life in the midst of death.’ Let us be people of hope.”

Sister Maryann Bremke co-founded Brunner Literacy Center in Trotwood with Sister Helen Weber and administered the center’s educational programs for several years.

Upon semi-retirement, she has focused on tutoring at the center on Salem Avenue, as well as at the Day Reporting Center, part of an incarceration center focused on drug Fall 2020 11

Cover Story

Precious Blood Sisters continue their ministries online in the COVID era

Cover Story

treatment.

She helps students who are studying math in preparation for GED (high school equivalency) exams —“anything from basic math functions to geometry (my personal favorite),” she said. Until the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, those tutoring sessions were always done one-on-one and face-to-face. As tutoring shifted to a web conferencing program, Sister Maryann encountered some challenges.

“I don’t think online tutoring can ever be as effective as personal presence,” she said.

es, finding approaches that will help students grasp math concepts and maintaining one of the most important aspects of her ministry: establishing a personal connection with her students.

“One-on-one attention helps individuals who fell through the cracks in a large classroom.

Personal interest shown to a student, online if not in person, helps to build a person’s confidence and encourages them to keep trying,” she said.

“I would like to encourage anyone, who is in the least bit interested, to volunteer to

Clockwise from top left, Zoom screenshots of Sisters Martha Bertke, Margo Young, Mary Ann Mozser, Terry Walter and Joyce Kahle.

“Body language doesn’t get conveyed well in online teaching. Often I, as a tutor, have to surmise what is being understood whereas when I tutor in person, I can tell when the student is absorbing the knowledge.” In addition, tools such as white boards and hands-on manipulatives like blocks, tiles and cubes are not as effective in helping students understand math concepts when utilized through video calls.

Even so, Sister Maryann is ready to meet those challeng12

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tutor at the Brunner Literacy Center or at the Day Reporting Center,” she added. “Don’t sell yourself short. If you can help or did help your kids with homework, you can tutor adults who never learned reading and math concepts the first time around. Follow the adage ‘If you can read, write or do math, pay it forward.’

“Literacy changes lives and if you can be instrumental in helping someone on his or her journey to being able to read, write or work math, what a

gift you will have been to that person.”

For the Precious Blood Sisters who reside on Emma Hall at the Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the COVID crisis has meant that just one Sister living outside the facility is permitted to visit: Sister Gerri McGeorge.

Through the pandemic, Sister Gerri and MJC staff have used Zoom on an iPad to help the Sisters stay connected in various ways.

Some have used the technology to maintain participation in their cluster (congregational prayer and discussion groups).

“This has enabled them to stay connected with others and feel like they are a ‘part of the whole,’” Sister Gerri said.

Sister Edna Hess, President of the Congregation, and the congregational Council — Sisters Patty Kremer, Margo Young, Ann Clark and Marla Gipson — have also been able to keep in touch with the Sisters at Emma Hall through Zoom. “Most of the Emma Hall Sisters were surprised that they could not just hear Sisters Edna, Patty, Margo, Ann and Marla, but also see them,” Sister Gerri said. “This really helped to lift their spirits during this time of ‘no outside visitors.’

“This whole process of using Zoom has been a learning experience for me as well,” Sister Gerri continued. “I had never used Zoom prior to this time, and I still have to ask many questions of the experts in this field. But we are continuing to learn together, and someday we will all be masters in using this wonderful communication.” 

O

ur exciting piece of news is that the Congregation has approved our proposal to purchase a house in the name of the new nonprofit association that we are forming here that will include both our house (Casa Sofia, our residence in Guatemala City where women may live without cost while continuing their education) and Holy Mary of the Most Precious Blood School (the school that Sister Marifé Hellman started in San Raymundo).

These past five years, we have been renting a house that is about two hours from the University on buses. Having our own place will give more stability to our ministry, and with an active board for the association that includes more CPPS Sisters and Guatemalans, our ministries will be able to continue in the future when Sister Marifé, Sister Terry Walter and I are no longer able to be here.

Our new house is the former motherhouse of the Immaculate Heart of Mary community.

The house has 13 bedrooms — some large enough for two students. And it is a five-minute bus ride to the University of San Carlos (USAC), the free university here where many of our girls study. It is also much closer for those who study in Antigua. There are students from Marifé’s school who are graduating this fall and hope to study at USAC, and we need a bigger house! And there are students from other boarding schools who also want to further their education but have few options for

Ministry

Updates from Guatemala housing and ways to support themselves.

Our move took place in October, and the process went very smoothly. It was a lot of work, so we were all pretty tired — but we are happy to have our own place, and the girls love it that they each have their own bedroom.

We are all very grateful to the Congregation that we have been able to make this move happen. Our new house has a solid foundation, and some repairs and renovations are taking place. We have had to grow in patience when the water was turned off while someone is doing their laundry or washing dishes, or the power was shut off while some of the girls were in an online class.

There have been times of frustration and times of great laughter, but it has all been worth it and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you all for your prayers for this adventure. We have certainly felt the power of your prayers and support. Our ministry is growing and we are expecting four more students in January.  Story by Sister Joyce Kahle

Top, recognizing the International Day of the Indigenous: second, Sister Joyce celebrates her birthday; third, sunflowers on the rooftop garden; bottom, Sister Terry celebrates her birthday with a piñata. Contributed photos

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Ministry

Sister Margo recognized as outstanding health care professional

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he Diocese of San Bernardino (California) has named Sister Margo Young the recipient of the 2020 St. Luke Award, presented to a physician who has distinguished himself or herself professionally in a way that reflects Catholic values and moral ethics.

On Oct. 11, Coadjutor Bishop Alberto Rojas celebrated an outdoor White Mass to recognize health care professionals.

Awards were presented to those selected by an awards committee for their services to humanity within and outside the diocese. Award recipients are those who have gone above and beyond, distinguishing themselves in practice and adhering to Catholic moral values and beliefs.

Sister Margo received the St. Luke Award in recognition of her years of advocacy for the most marginalized. A state-

establish, as well as volunteer at, the San Bernardino site Lestonnac Free Clinic. One of several Lestonnac free clinics in Southern California, the San Bernardino site opened in fall 2015, funded in part by a grant from the Sisters of the Precious Blood. The clinic serves primarily Hispanic clients, many of whom are undocumented immigrants.

In addition, Sister Margo was recognized for promoting and participating in medical missions, serving as an active member of the Diocesan Healthcare Committee, and collaborating with local agencies that provide low-cost housing to the poor and homeless. The diocese noted that she has been described by her patients as a compassionate, dedicated and talented physician.

Sister Margo said she was surprised and humbled to receive the award.

"Eighty-five percent of the population [in this area] is on Medicaid — which doesn’t address our undocumented population, which is one of the highest in the country. This is only to say I live in an area of high need with decreased resources."

­— Sister Margo Young ment prepared by the diocese and read at the White Mass noted Sister Margo’s years of service as a physician at St. Bernardine Medical Center and her support in helping to 14

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She continues to provide support for area projects in San Bernardino related to lowincome housing initiatives and mental health services for youth. In addition, she is

Coadjutor Bishop Alberto Rojas presents Sister Margo with the 2020 St. Luke Award; contributed photo.

active in providing support for community outreach programs in areas such as identification of community need and response, program development and assessment.

“At present I am exploring how to utilize a clinic space to assist in lowering readmissions and providing timely continuity of care for our vulnerable populations,” Sister Margo said. “Eighty-five percent of the population [in this area] is on Medicaid — which doesn’t address our undocumented population, which is one of the highest in the country. This is only to say I live in an area of high need with decreased resources.”  Story by Mary Knapke

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n August, Sister Margo Young and novice Sister Mi-Kyoung Hwang moved to California, where Sister Mi-Kyoung is in ministry for the second year of her novitiate. She volunteers with the Diocese of San Bernardino, in particular working with the Korean community.

Below is an excerpt from a reflection Sister Mi-Kyoung has written about her ministry experience. To read the reflection in its entirety, visit https://www. preciousbloodsistersdayton.org/ news-and-events/sharing-andcaring-newsletter/.

This formation ministry in the Diocese of San Bernardino for the Korean community is a great opportunity for me to be aware of Precious Blood spirituality. As the country constructed by immigrants, the USA is naturally a country of diversity. With the people of diverse culture, language and race, this country needs to accept the reality of who they are. Recognizing identity is a foundation of growth whether as a person, a group or a nation. I think that California is the state that recognizes and understands their identity as a people of diversity and immigration. In this context, the Diocese of San Bernardino in California also pays attention especially to minority groups of people. Those first generations of immigrants are not very good at English and become isolated from English-speaking society. They struggle to be part of the bigger society, but find themselves being not fully Korean, and at the same time, not fully American. They are easily ignored,

Ministry

A Reflection from the West not recognized and accepted as who they are in that situation. They naturally turn to their own ethnic group for help and survival. If they are not attended and accepted as who they are, then they could become more defensive for what they possess as an important part of identity (whatever they learned from and connected to home), and could tend to be more sarcastic toward those who they recognize as disregarding and ignoring what they have as who they are (language, custom, food, etc.) or toward themselves.

Therefore, I think that this ministry of giving formation programs for laity in the participants’ own language is bridging them to the bigger church/society. In this case, my ministry can help Korean parishioners to see themselves as a people of God — not as an isolated group but as a part of the church in the bigger vision of the diocese.

They are recognized by the bigger group (the diocese) as who they are (parishioners who have difficulty communicating well in English), with a Korean presenter (a bridge-builder/a liaison) in the formation program. This is an act of affirmation and respect to them — an acknowledgement that it is fine to be who they are. In this sense, I see myself doing the ministry of reconciliation — continues on Page 18 Story by Sister Mi-Kyoung Hwang

Top, Sister Mi-Kyoung in front of the first church in California in downtown Los Angeles; Sister Margo Young photo. Bottom, Sisters Mi-Kyoung, Ann Clark and Margo Young at Mission San Luis Rey; contributed photo.

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In Brief

In Brief Precious Blood Sisters have been busy with a variety of recent events. In all that we do, we strive to continue to fulfill our mission to proclaim God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.

July 13 — Sister Marie Kopin was mentioned in a post on The New York Times website. Writer Ben Keough cites Sister Marie’s expertise in safe consumption of wild mushrooms in the article “Here’s What You’ll Need to Start Foraging Mushrooms.” Sister Marie serves as chair of the education committee for the North American Mycological Association.

October — Sisters Donna Liette and Carolyn Hoying have much to celebrate as two graduates at the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Aldena and Oscar, received their high school diplomas and have hopes of continuing their education for a college degree. Sisters Donna and Carolyn are in ministry at PBMR in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood.

November 6-7 — The Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, celebrated their 200th anniversary with a virtual Eucharistic Congress. Precious Blood Sisters ministered at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church, Virginia, from 1953 to 1982.

November 7 — The Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrated a special Mass in recognition of the 175th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains. The cathedral was formally dedicated Nov. 2, 1845, and rededicated Nov. 3, 1957. The blessing of the insignia of the basilica also took place at the November 7 Mass.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis designated the cathedral of St. Peter in Chains as a minor basilica. Sisters of the Precious Blood have been part of the archdiocese since their arrival in the area in 1846.

November 22 — Sister Gerri McGeorge and Carol Wirick were recognized as outstanding caregivers by the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Catholic Charities and the Order of Malta. Sister Gerri was nominated by Our Lady of Grace Parish, and Wirick, who works as a nurse at Salem Heights, was nominated by the Congregation. The women were two of just 20 honorees this year.

December 1 — Dayton-area resident John Bowen recently wrote an essay for Chicken Soup for the Soul and chose to donate his earnings to the Congregation. He said he has fond memories of the Precious Blood Sisters who were his teachers when he was growing up in Denver.

Top, Sister Marie Kopin inspects mushrooms after a day of foraging; contributed photo. Second, Sister Donna Liette with Aldena; contributed photo. Third, Sisters Rosemary Lindemann, Ann Catherine Lehmkuhl and Eva Roehrich ministered in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia; CPPS archive photo. Fourth, Sister Gerri McGeorge and Carol Wirick; Sister Edna Hess photo. Bottom, John Bowen with Sisters Edna Hess, Ann Clark and Marla Gipson; Michelle Bodine photo.

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Scenes from Salem Heights

Scenes from Salem Heights

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1) The irrigation system is up and running at the Maria Anna Brunner Memorial Garden, watering the shrubs, plants and trees, making the garden a beautiful and peaceful place for reflection. Contributed photo 2) Sarah Aisenbrey, CPPS archivist, recently received word that she passed her professional exam and is now a Certified Archivist (C.A.) and a member of the Academy of Certified Archivists. We applaud her professional attainment and are proud to have her as CPPS archivist and guardian of our history. Sally Beaty photo 3) The Sisters at Salem Heights enjoy growing flowers and vegetables every year in the courtyard.

Above, Sister Barbara Ann Hoying harvests the last bit of cherry tomatoes. Contributed photo

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4) Sister Berenice (M. Edward) Janszen was recognized for 20 years of dedicated service as librarian at Salem Heights. She “retired” on October 8, 2020. Pictured above, Sister Nancy (Lisa Marie) Wolf gives Sister Berenice a floral arrangement as a token of gratitude for her many years of service. Contributed photo 5) Sisters and staff at Salem Heights celebrated Halloween by playing games and eating lots of sweets. Pictured above, Sister Katie Lett, Jim Livingston (maintenance), dressed as an angel, and Sister Eleanor McNally. Contributed photo 6) Sister Eleanor McNally took this beautiful photo of the Maria Anna Brunner Memorial Garden at Salem Heights before the leaves fell.

Fall 2020 17

Ministry/In Sympathy

— continued from Page 15

and life-giving presence among people of God in the world.

With all these experiences, when I reflect on the trip to San Luis Rey two months ago with Sister Ann Clark and Sister Margo Young, it gives a very special meaning to me.

In 1913, our Sisters accepted the ministry to open a school in the San Luis Rey mission field, which was requested

by Franciscan Father Peter.

Our Congregation’s history, Not with Silver or Gold, notes: “By September 10, the date of the opening, twelve boarders and several day pupils from some Spanish families in the vicinity were enrolled. It was indeed a small beginning without presage of future prosperity” (p.

330). The plaque on the wall at the door of the parish center, which was our C.PP.S convent before, shows the history of the building. Standing in front of the building, I was initially touched by our Sisters’ stories that connected to the part of

the building which was novitiate. And now, as I am here in the midst of where diverse people live together, I begin to dream that there will be more vocation to have a formation house in the land of inclusiveness, and more vocation from all over the world to share our foundress Mother Brunner’s vision of love beyond our own family, nation, language, privilege, prejudice and belief system. (One of my favorite stories of Mother Brunner is that she gave cream of milk away to the poor children instead of her own children.)

Conciliation in the Oxford Dictionary means “the action of stopping someone from being angry: placation” and “the action of mediating between two disputing people or groups.”

With this definition, I would say that re-conciliation means again and again we pause from the attitude of being I-amalways-right-and-you-are-not and build bridges between people of difference. When we live this way in the community, we

Sister Mi-Kyoung at Sister Hildabertha Gutman’s grave at Mission San Luis Rey. Sister Margo Young photo.

allow the Holy Spirit to mediate between us and God, as well as among members of the community. So, we may become the presence of life-giving and reconciliation beyond our community. I dare begin to dream in the West where I glimpse the sign of the Holy Spirit. 

In Sympathy Sister Martha Bertke on the death of her brother, Rev. Deacon Omer Henry Bertke, on September 23.

Sister Ritamary Bulach (deceased) on the death of her brother, Larry, on October 16.

Sister Eva Roehrich on the death of her brother-in-law, Harley Watkins, on October 17 and on the death of her sisterin-law, Josie Roehrich, on October 18.

Sister Noreen Jutte on the death of her sister, Margery Heuing, on November 17.

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Sister Pat Dieringer on the death of her brother, Larry Dieringer, on November 21.

Sister Dorothy Koenig on the death of her brother, Bernard, on November 21.

Sister Mary Garke on the death of her brother-in-law, Alvin Timmerman, on November 27.

Remembering Joe Michael, husband of Alma Michael, (former Sister Margaret Mary Stallo), died October 4.

Father Vince Hoying, CPPS, former chaplain at Salem Heights, died the week of November 15.

Laura Hatfield, Jim Livingston's mother, died on Sunday, Nov. 29. Jim is a maintenance employee at Salem Heights.

Marianist brothers and priests on the death of two of their brothers. Many residents at their care center have tested positive for COVID-19 and several are in serious condition.

For all those unemployed due to the pandemic.

November 1932 — November 15, 2020

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Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Charmaine Grilliot was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on November 18.

She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 72 years.

Born in November 1932 to Lorraine and Leroy Grilliot in Dayton, Ohio, Charmaine was the couple's only daughter. She was preceded by an older brother, Clement, and followed by her younger brother, Richard. As early as age eight she felt the call to religious life. Seven years later on August 15, 1948, at age 15, Charmaine answered God’s call and began her journey with the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Sister Charmaine studied at the Athenaeum in Cincinnati and at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana, where she received a bachelor's degree in English. She later received a master's degree in English from The Ohio State University.

Sister put these degrees to good use as a teacher “par excellence” at Queen of Peace, Millville,

Ohio; Queen of Angels, Fort Wayne, Indiana; Precious Blood High School, Dayton, Ohio; and Immaculate Conception High School, Celina, Ohio.

Sister Charmaine served in various administrative positions within the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and served as President of the Congregation from 1972 to 1980. She was called out of retirement in 2006 to be the director of the newly formed Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School, Dayton, Ohio. The years in between, she was Assistant to the Director of the Diaconate Program, Diocese of Toronto, Canada; VicePresident of Mission Services for the Catholic Health Association, St. Louis, Missouri; and Director of Education for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in Pennsylvania. In retirement Sister continued a retreat and spiritual direction ministry until 2016. Sister Charmaine joins her parents and brother in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters and her younger brother. She will be missed.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

Sister Ann Catherine Lehmkuhl June 1932 — December 5, 2020

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Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Ann Catherine Lehmkuhl was held at the Precious Blood Church in Dayton on December 9. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood

for 72 years.

In 1932, a new member was added to the Harry and Cecilia Lehmkuhl family. Inez June Lehmkuhl was born in Minster, Ohio, the youngest of five children. She had three brothers (Robert, Lester, and Alfred) and one sister (Mary Lou), all of whom preceded her in death and were waiting for her in heaven, along with her parents.

Inez had the Sisters of the Precious Blood as her teachers in elementary school. As she wrote, “Sensing the dedication and joy of the Sisters let the thought of being a teacher cross my mind, but join them — not me!” Apparently, God had other plans, and she listened to God’s call for her life. She entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood on August 15, 1948. She was given the

name of Sister Mary Ann Catherine.

For the rest of her life, Sister Ann was an educator, beginning as a teacher of grades 3 and 4 in 1951 in Phoenix, Arizona, and ending as a principal in 1998 in East Lansing, Michigan. In between, she ministered in Catholic schools in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, North Dakota and Colorado. She also taught in public school for 14 years in McCartyville and New Riegel.

For her 60th Jubilee, Sister Ann wrote: “Every place I ministered was ‘my favorite’ when I was missioned there. However, New Riegel emerges as very special because it was ‘the Cradle of the Community’ and embodied so much history of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. The convent, school and parish were constant reminders of those sisters who preceded us.”

She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, many nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Her humor and welcoming spirit will be missed.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

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In Memoriam

Sister Charmaine (M. Celine Therese) Grilliot

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

4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426-2399

Donation helps build a home in Trotwood

T

he leadership Council of the Sisters of the Precious Blood recently approved a significant contribution toward the total build cost of a house currently under construction in Trotwood. The donation was made to Catch the Building Spirit, a partnership of Catholic and Presbyterian churches working in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton.

The Sisters of the Precious Blood presented the donation to Catch the Building Spirit and Habitat for Humanity in a small ceremony at the house site on Oct. 7. The Sisters were rep-

resented by Sister Edna Hess, president; Sister Ann Clark and Sister Marla Gipson, councilors; Sister Paula Gero; Sister Madonna Ratermann; and staff member Phil Hartke.

Each year, Catch the Building Spirit, a coalition of over 20 Catholic parishes and 10 Presbyterian churches, works in the Dayton area to finance and build one new house. The group has been active since 1993 and became a registered nonprofit organization in 1996.

Part of the mission of Catch the Building Spirit is to show the love and power of God in practical ways, which the Sisters

of the Precious Blood believe to be closely aligned with the Congregation’s mission to proclaim God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.

“We are proud of the work both Catch the Building Spirit and Habitat for Humanity do to help families have decent housing,” Sister Edna said during the presentation. “We are especially pleased that this is happening here in Trotwood since we are also residents of Trotwood and we call this home.”  Story by Mary Knapke

Left, Sisters Edna Hess and Madonna Ratermann check out the construction progress on October 7; Phil Hartke photo. Right, Sisters Margo Young and Marla Gipson at the dedication of the home of the Works family on December 11 with Roger Duffy, Ken Enneking and Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald; Michelle Bodine photo.

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