Sharing & Caring Fall 2022

Sharing & Caring Volume 32 Number 4 • Fall 2022 Sisters of the Precious Blood • Dayton, Ohio • www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org

A pilgrimage of faith and justice

From the President’s Desk

Dear friends and family,

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ummer is fading, another school year is beginning, and life continues. What life will bring we do not know.

We may have lots of plans, yet some or many of them may never be realized. Life is a journey, a journey we as Christians believe leads us from our earthly home to our eternal home of life with the Divine Trinity.

Another word used for journey is pilgrimage. The word pilgrimage carries with it a religious sense. Over the ages, men and women have journeyed to religious sites honoring their deity. They have pilgrimaged to these sites alone or with others in order to give praise or thanksgiv-

places where Mother Brunner lived in Switzerland and Lichtenstein; and the shrines where she pilgrimaged. Mother Brunner made many pilgrimages during her lifetime. Her pilgrimage to Rome led her to encounter with the Pious Union of the Precious Blood, which had been founded by St. Gaspar.

As I reflected on our history as a Congregation, I realized that we have made many journeys, many pilgrimages over our more than 175 years of existence. Early in our history — 1844 to be exact — Father Francis de Sales Brunner brought our congregation here to the United States. The early Sisters left behind their

In Genesis chapter 12, Abraham is invited

by God to leave his country and his father’s house to go to a land that God would show him. Abraham, trusting in God, set off with his wife and his nephew Lot and his family.

— Sister Edna Hess ing, or to seek help. In Genesis chapter 12, Abraham is invited by God to leave his country and his father’s house to go to a land that God would show him. Abraham, trusting in God, set off with his wife and his nephew Lot and his family.

In this issue of Sharing & Caring, our coordinator of peace, justice and ecology, Jen MorinWilliamson, shares with us her pilgrimage to the places our foundress, Mother Maria Anna Brunner, visited in Rome; the 2

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families and their country to come to Ohio. The journey across the ocean and the trip up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers had to have been a pilgrimage of faith in order to answer the call to serve the German immigrants in northwestern Ohio!

The Sisters didn’t just stay in Ohio. In 1873, Sisters went to Tennessee; in 1903, Arizona; in 1913, California; and in 1957, Chile. In January 1977, I began my pilgrimage to Chile following the courageous women

who had preceded me. There, I discovered the beauty of a long, narrow country, a people very welcoming and a culture very enriching. For me, all of life is a journey, a pilgrimage. Each new place, each new experience is discovering God in the people and places I serve.

I invite you, our readers, to take some time to recall your life’s journey, your life’s pilgrimage. Who walked with you? Who revealed God to you? Who helped you in moments of darkness, pain and suffering? Where were you called to pilgrimage? What are those sacred places that have special meaning for you? We are a pilgrim people on a journey that leads us to our eternal home.  God bless your pilgrimage,

Sister Edna Hess President, Sisters of the Precious Blood

Earlier this year, religious congregations dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus founded the Precious Blood Spirituality Institute to promote Precious Blood spirituality to the world.

The institute’s executive director is Vicky Otto, D.Min., who previously served as director of Companions (lay associates) for the Cincinnati and Kansas City Provinces of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

In partnership with Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, PBSI will offer academic courses, workshops and retreats through the Schreiter Institute at CTU. The director of the Schreiter Institute is Kevin Considine, Ph.D.

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ver since I was little, I have always loved musicals. As I was preparing to write this article, a song by Stephen Sondheim from the musical Sunday in the Park with George came to mind. He wrote, "Bit by bit, putting it together, piece by piece, only way to make a work of art, every moment makes a contribution, every little detail plays a part, having just a vision’s no solu-

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.

tion, everything depends on execution, putting it together, that's what counts!" Sondheim perfectly described what has been happening at the Precious Blood Spirituality Institute over the last few weeks.

As Kevin Considine, the new director of the Schreiter Institute, and I got to know each other, we found that we were drawn to the same vision for the institutes. In our relationships over the years with the community, we often heard that people either had not heard of Precious Blood spirituality or that “Precious Blood spirituality is the best-kept secret in the Church.” Kevin and I felt that all our efforts must ensure that we move from being the best-kept secret to the best resource for the Church and the world today.

If you spend just five minutes reading or listening to the news, it becomes apparent that our world is crying out for the gifts of reconciliation and healing that Precious Blood spirituality offers. Every day another family is being torn apart because of an act of

News

Responding to the Cry of the Blood

Top, Kevin Considine, the new director of the Schreiter Institute; bottom, Vicky Otto with Brother Brian Boyle, CPPS, and Father John Wolf, CPPS, in 2019; contributed photos.

violence. We have seen division and strife in our families, our communities, our Church — continued on Page 4 Story by Vicky Otto

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

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Contributing writers: Sarah Aisenbrey, Archivist; Jen Morin-Williamson, Peace, Justice & Ecology Coordinator

Fall 2022

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News

— continued from Page 3

mitted to doing everything we can to help others celebrate and embrace the gifts of this spirituality. Kevin and I know we do not do this work as a solo endeavor. We look forward to working with all our partners in the institute, including everyone in our Precious Blood family and Catholic Theological Union. We

extensive efforts to share them with the world. As Sondheim writes, as we move to the next step, “Everything depends on execution.”

You are invited to join our efforts at the institute. In the near future, we will be rolling out a website that highlights all our work and upcoming events. If you have sugges-

and the world. These divisions have escalated people’s feelings of anxiety and fear so much so that a spirit of intolerance and hatred prevails. As a Precious Blood community, we are called to stand in this painful breach to help others move away from the division.

We know that the gift of our spirituality is that we We look forward to working with all our partners can help others recognize the presence of God in the in the institute, including everyone in our Precious person who stands beBlood family and Catholic Theological Union. We fore us and celebrate the unity that comes from the hope to build awareness in our community that beauty of our diversity. will help push us out of our community circle to We do this when we offer share our spirituality with the world. a safe space for people — Vicky Otto to speak their truths and help others to listen with hope to build awareness in our tions or ideas, or would like to the ear of the heart. community that will help push see something specific, don’t As a community, we know us out of our community circle hesitate to get in touch with the blessing and mercy that to share our spirituality with the Precious Blood Spiritualcomes from Precious Blood the world. We have come to a ity Institute at 773-451-6710. If spirituality, so much so that it time when we need to move you would like to be added to has become part of our lived to a new reality. We have a our mailing list, please get in reality; the blessing and mercy great vision and charism; it’s touch with me at votto@pbrun through our veins. As the time to focus and make more spiritualityinstitute.org.  institute begins, we are com-

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.

8 10 11 11 12 16 22 29

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SEPTEMBER

Nadine Kaschalk Mi-Kyoung Hwang Mary Ann Mozser Florence Seifert Noemí Flores Della Mae Meyer Rita Rogier Rosemary Laux

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1 3 13 17 5 12 12 23

OCTOBER

Marie Kopin Beverly Ann Bodnar Teresa Maher Patricia Kremer

NOVEMBER

Rae Marie Ratermann Angeline Hoffman Maria Luisa Miller Anna Maria Sanders

1 2 8 22 27 31

DECEMBER

Barbara Brown Berenice Janszen Mary Garke LaKesha Church Gerri McGeorge Donna Liette

Archives

Inside the CPPS Archives

Pioneering Pilgrimage: The Ten Foundations Tour This column showcases artifacts or documents from the CPPS Archives in each issue of Sharing & Caring.

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n May and July, Novice Sister Juliana Wuur, Novice Director Sister Ann Clark and CPPS Archivist Sarah Aisenbrey ventured on a journey across Ohio (and a bit in Indiana) to visit the places where the Sisters of the Precious Blood laid their foundations in the United States. First-year novices traditionally take this trip.

In July 1844, the Sisters arrived in Peru, Ohio, to minister to the German immigrants in the wilds of Ohio. They established their first permanent home in New Riegel, Ohio, in December 1844. By 1856, they had 10 convents across northern Ohio and western Indiana.

The Sisters lived like pioneers. They not only taught in local schools and kept nocturnal hours of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but they also farmed the land, made their clothing and tended livestock, among many other jobs.

Most of the convents where the Sisters lived no longer exist (except the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics). Some were sold, others were destroyed by fire, and others were repurposed. Sisters are buried at many of the sites.

Over the past 15 years, Sister Noreen Jutte, retired CPPS archivist, managed a project to create new markers and monuments at each cemetery. Some of the original headstones are also still in place at some cemeteries.

Reflecting on visiting the foundations of the Congregation, Sister Juliana wrote, “These wonderful places were where the first Sisters paved the way for us. I am grateful to Sister Ann and Sarah for accompanying me and explaining all of the important events in the lives of our pioneer Sisters in the Congregation. These women did great jobs for us. May their humble souls rest in peace, and may they intercede for all of us.”

Sister Juliana, a native of Ghana, said she identified with the pioneer Sisters. “They left everything they knew in Europe and came to the United States to serve God in the Precious Blood. We stand on their shoulders.” 

Top, Sister Juliana puts flour on one of the Sisters’ grave markers at St. Joseph Cemetery in Egypt, Ohio. The flour helps fill in the letters on the weathered stone. Bottom, the Sisters established Ten Foundations across northern Ohio and western Indiana. They are located in Ohio in New Riegel, Bellevue, Maria Stein, Glandorf, near Ottawa, Cassella, Minster, near St. Henry, and Egypt, and in Indiana in Bryant.

Story and photo by Sarah Aisenbrey

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Jubilee

Joyful Jubilees

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ith joyful hearts, five Sisters of the Precious Blood recently celebrated milestone anniversaries of entrance into the Congregation. Sisters Mary Garascia, Carolyn Hoying, Nancy Kinross and Marie Kopin entered the community 60 years ago, in 1962. In addition, Sister Rosemary Laux this year marks 80 years of religious life.

All the Sisters were recognized at a Mass and banquet July 3 at Salem Heights, the Congregation’s central house in Dayton. In welcoming all those in attendance, celebrant Father Ken Pleiman, CPPS, called the jubilarians “great blessings and teachers for us — teaching about community life as a Sister of the Precious Blood and about how to serve God’s people.”

Sister Joyce Lehman, a former president of the Congregation, delivered a reflection on the day’s Scripture readings. “When we enter the Sisters of the Precious Blood, we enter into a place that becomes home for us. It is here where we are nurtured and nourished, comforted and challenged,” she said. “It is here where we are immersed in and soak up that spirit and power of the Precious Blood rooted in Eucharistic prayer, in adoration, in the prayers we pray in common, in the contemplative silence we foster and in the relationships we cultivate in community.

“Dominican Father Aelred Squire comments that: ‘like a drop of water in a quantity of wine, or a red-hot iron in the burning flame, we take on the character of that in which we are immersed.’ Our community, this specific gathering of committed women, becomes a Jerusalem, our place to call home, our place to return to in order to celebrate and be renewed in our mission.”

Our Jubilarians Originally from Cincinnati, Sister Mary Garascia grew up as a member of Xavier University Parish and attended Sts. Peter and Paul School and Regina High School. During her years of active ministry, she served as a high school teacher in Arizona and California; director of religious education in Colorado; and leader of parishes in Ohio, Michigan and California. She also served on the Congregation’s leadership team and taught theology and philosophy at St. Leo University in Florida and Loyola Marymount University in California.

Sister Carolyn Hoying grew up as a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in the village of Egypt, Ohio, and graduated from Precious Blood High School — the Congregation’s former school also known as Fatima Hall — in Dayton. She served as Story by Mary Knapke; Michelle Bodine photos Top, Sisters Nancy Kinross, Mary Garascia and Carolyn Hoying sing during Mass; middle, Sister Nancy gives a reading during Mass; bottom, celebrant Father Ken Pleiman, CPPS.

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Jubilee

an elementary school teacher in Dayton, Fort Recovery and Celina, Ohio, and Falls Church, Virginia. She was principal in Wapakoneta, Ohio, for four years and at St. John the Evangelist School in Loveland, Colorado, for 16 years. She was coordinator of vocation ministry for the Congregation for almost a decade, and since 2013, she has served at the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, where she currently volunteers as an urban farmer.

A daughter of St. Margaret Mary parish in North College Hill near Cincinnati, Sister Nancy Kinross attended the parish school and Mother of Mercy High School.

She served as a junior high and high school teacher in Cincinnati, Norwood and Wapakoneta, Ohio, as well as Falls Church, Virginia; she returned to St. Joseph School in Wapakoneta in 1978 and served as principal for four years. She was the Congregation’s novitiate formation director and served at the Maria Stein Spiritual Center in a variety of roles. She also served in leadership roles for Unda-USA, a professional organization for Catholic broadcasters; Groundwork for a Just World in Detroit; and Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart and Elder High School, both in Cincinnati. For the Congregation, Sister Nancy has served on the leadership team as vice president, secretary and Councilor.

Originally from Flint, Michigan, Sister Marie Kopin began her ministry as a teacher in Flint and Dayton, Ohio. Beginning in 1967, she served in numerous roles in the speech pathology field as a speech and hearing therapist, as well as in leadership positions. Ministry took her to Cleveland and Putnam County, Ohio, as well as Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, where she worked in speech pathology for 25 years until her retirement in 2000. She has also been active in music ministry in various capacities at numerous locations throughout her life. In retirement, Sister Marie has become a well-known figure in the field of mycology, the study of fungi.

A native of Bryant, Indiana, Sister Rosemary Laux (M. Columba) grew up as a member of the Church of The Most Holy Trinity and attended Holy Trinity parish school and Bryant High School. She served in dietary services in Denver, as well as in Canton, Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and was the head sacristan at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati. She also ministered at Maria Stein Shrine and Retreat House.  Top, clockwise from top left, 60 year Jubilarians Sisters Carolyn Hoying, Mary Garascia and Nancy Kinross; middle, 60 year Jubilarian Sister Marie Kopin; bottom, Sister Rosemary Laux, who celebrated 80 years as a Precious Blood Sister.

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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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n our journey to holiness, our growth into the fullness of our capacity to image God, beauty is important. Beauty is a connector to God, something that, when we notice it, makes us pause and experience a moment of wonder. And wonder is human intuition that there is something beyond ourselves, beyond our understanding that we call the Holy Mystery.

And so beauty, which produces wonder, leads us into reverence of and union with this Holy Mystery.

Philosophers call beauty, truth and the good “transcendentals” — objective properties of all that exists, constants that persist throughout the varieties of cultures, religions, personal ideologies.

But beauty has a specialness to it. Beauty brings pleasure to us. It touches our senses — our sight, our smell, our touch, our hearing — perhaps more than one of them at the same time; it also satisfies or pleasures our understanding because proportionality and relationship to other things are also qualities of beauty.

Lately we have been seeing the amazing photos, taken by the Webb telescope, of the universe. Scientists have been impressed all over again, not just at the universe’s immensity, complexity and its age, but by its beauty. We are part of 8

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that beauty; the properties that lead us to call something beautiful are in us, and we have the capacity to perceive and receive beauty. Doing art is, for me, a way of being together with beauty, and connecting with the source of it all.  Top, Sister Mary enjoys painting watercolors. The painting in this photo depicts Mission San Luis Rey in California where many of the Sisters served over the years at our high school academy next door; middle, "Hemlock, Michigan farm," not far from the church where she was pastoral administrator; bottom, "Feeding Frenzy," a composition from several koi photos she took.

Story by Sister Mary Garascia; Mary Knapke photos

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ust a week ago, a woman who had been incarcerated since she was 15, and had expected to die in prison, was released after 30 years of living within prison walls. As I saw her walking out into her freedom, I felt an explosion of grace as God met years of suffering with healing liberation and this promise of a new beginning.

Have you ever experienced an explosion of grace? Recently I read this expression and began to reflect on how many times I have been given this gift — unexpected grace that always overwhelms my heart and moves me closer to God and those around me.

I thought of how many times I have experienced that explosion of grace within the women that we accompany at the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation! It’s impossible to count! Every day is full of explosions of grace in the joys and sorrows walking together on this journey of life and love.

Just today we had our monthly Mother’s Healing Circle and I heard again from the hearts of these women, broken and bruised, their sons’ and daughters’ blood poured out on our streets through violent acts, yet powerful witnesses of how God dwells amongst the most in need and explodes grace and beauty among us.

One mother, who has been traumatized in so many ways, shared how it was at her adult baptism that she felt an overwhelming abundance of grace.

She said she found purpose in all her suffering, and a calm

came about her that she had never experienced — all she could do was go home, cry and give thanks!

Another mother shared how after her son had died by suicide, she ran out into the middle of a busy street here in Chicago and was just crying out for help! She said that God answered her prayer that day by sending her angels and friends to lift her up, and a job that she’s had for years now — a job that she loves and gives her purpose. “I saw light in my darkness,” she said, “and I was amazed! I have been moving forward ever since that day of God’s attention!”

One of our grandmothers shared how, back when she hit rock bottom, she got down on her knees and didn’t stop praying until God heard her cry. Inside she felt this overwhelming movement and she knew then that she had been heard and was being healed.

She has since been in recovery and is moving forward toward her goals!

A mother who lost her two sons — murdered in their own home — is struggling with living. Darkness surrounds her, but yesterday she texted me and said that while she was walking and crying, she spotted two beautiful yellow daffodils and suddenly felt a strong feeling of hope (an explosion of grace!). Then she asked if I could teach her to meditate and learn of God’s love for her.

Another mother comes to mind, who has overcome obstacle after obstacle since her youth, but keeps walking

Ministry

Explosion of Grace

One of the mothers in the Mother’s Healing Circle at PBMR; contributed photo.

in faith and grace. Today, she has completed law school, passed her bar exam, and held tight to her business card that now reads: Attorney! She now offers advice and support to other women/mothers who are facing legal issues. She understands their fear of the unknown and accompanies them through this unjust system with the hope of a more restorative way of being.

When I think of an explosion of grace, I think of the mothers who have forgiven the persons who killed their sons or daughters and have actually asked that the perpetrator receive the lesser sentence!

I feel God’s grace alive in all the women who come to us who have “hit rock bottom,” who have lost everything yet are still holding on, still seeking strength, something to eat, detergent to wash the few — continued on Page 17 Story by Sister Donna Liette Originally published by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in The New Wine Press. Used with permission.

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Cover Story

Mother Brunner Justice Pilgrimage I

t was a 13-hour drive from Rome, Italy, to Zurich, Switzerland. There was sweltering heat outside, but my husband, Chip, and I were enjoying our journey in an airconditioned car, driving on smooth highways that run through tunnels cut directly into enormous mountains.

Not quite the same experience of Mother Maria Anna Brunner, the foundress of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in 1834. But this was our journey — the Brunner Justice Pilgrimage.

Before our pilgrimage, I spent a lot of time reading many accounts from the Sisters’ archives of Mother Brunner and her more famous son, Father Francis de Sales Brunner, who was a powerful catalyst to Mother Brunner’s ministry and mission.

Mother Brunner was described as pious, and she was certainly committed to hearing God’s voice in her life. She had an incredibly strong work ethic, but she prioritized the rituals of her Catholic faith.

In 1776, at the age of 12, Maria Anna was sent to work as a house servant at the Brunner family home, Biebelberg Estate, not far from her child10

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hood home in Mümliswil, Switzerland. (The Holy Blood Chapel was built to honor the Brunners in the 1970s near Mümliswil-Ramiswil.)

When the mistress of the

On the cover, Einsiedeln, the Benedictine abbey where the Black Madonna is located. Above, the plaque of Maria Anna Brunner and Francis de Sales Brunner at Convent Schellenberg in Liechtenstein.

house died, Maria Anna was quickly elevated to running the entire household. It was there that she met and married her husband, John Bap-

tist Brunner, and Biebelberg became her own home where she raised six children. Her husband died when their last child was only four, and her responsibilities were doubled.

Providing a formal education for their children was among the priorities vying for Maria Anna’s time, attention and finances. Mother Brunner made many devout pilgrimages to the famous shrine of Our Lady, Maria im Stein, which is only a short distance from Mümliswil.

She sent all three of her sons to the Benedictine Abbey of Maria Stein to study. Two of her sons became priests and one daughter became a nun.

Though her life was demanding, Maria Anna always recognized and cared for the poor in her midst. She could do nothing else, as her strong faith directed every part of her life. She taught her children to keep the Sabbath and to pray the Angelus three times a day, but she expected more from herself. Beyond going to Mass regularly and praying the rosary and the Sta— continued on Page 12 Story and photos by Jen MorinWilliamson

Cover Story Fall 2022 11

Cover Story

— continued from Page 10

tions of the Cross, Maria Anna was called to frequent pilgrimage. Working deep into the night if needed, Maria Anna wanted to ensure that those in her care wouldn’t be neglected in her absences.

In 1834, at the age of 68, Maria Anna took an important pilgrimage to the Benedictine monastery in Einsiedeln, where she prayed before the Black Madonna. Since all of her children were grown, she was seeking guidance as to where Jesus was calling her.

Her oldest son, Father Bunner, invited her to assist him at his newly founded school at Castle Loewenberg. This seemed like a good fit, as Maria Anna could take care of the household duties and she could be close to the chapel so she could regularly visit the Blessed Sacrament. Soon she was well known in the nearby village, Sagogn, Switzerland, where she attended Mass at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Catholic Church whenever there was no priest available to celebrate Mass at Loewenberg Castle. Again, Maria Anna was beloved, as she was compelled by faith to provide food and clothing to those in need.

Not long after moving into Castle Loewenberg, Mother Brunner asked her son if she could join him in traveling to Rome. Father Brunner was seeking support for missionary work, and Maria Anna was excited for this grand pilgrimage experience, her longest and most transformative. In Rome, she spent many hours on her knees, praying in St. Peter’s Basilica 12

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and other beautiful churches.

In the church of San Nicola in Carcere she heard St. Gaspar

Top, Holy Blood Chapel outside crucifix; bottom, Einsiedeln Abbey.

del Bufalo, the founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, talk about the redeem-

ing love of Jesus. This passion inspired her. She felt God’s special calling in her life to return home and do whatever she could so that “not one drop of Precious Blood be shed in vain.”

This Precious Blood spirituality is reflected in the mission statement of the Sisters of the Precious Blood: “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.”

This is the foundational inspiration for the life and ministry of the Sisters. Catholic social justice teaching reflects this call to a life of unconditional love modeled by Jesus especially in regard to Jesus’ preferential option for the poor. The Sisters’ Assembly Directives of 2019 specifically include endeavoring to recognize and confront injustices in our world in light of the Paschal Mystery.

As peace, justice and ecology coordinator, I was excited to take this pilgrimage to many of the places in Switzerland and Italy where Maria Anna Brunner lived and loved, prayed and served, contemplating them through the lens of justice. So, the Brunner Justice Pilgrimage project was born. Soon, there will be a video series that takes its inspiration from these locations. It is a project connecting Mother Brunner’s spirituality and charism to how Sisters are responding to injustices today, listening to the “cry of the blood.” 

Ministry

On sadness and depression Sister Joanne Belloli recently wrote this article for Catholic News Service. She works as a mental health/substance abuse therapist with Livingston County Catholic Charities in Howell, Michigan.

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ecently I met a 57-yearold woman who indicated that she was depressed, which for her occurred every March and into April. I listened as she told the story of the unexpected death of her mother when she was 8 years old. The death left her father and siblings with a deep sadness.

Upon further discussion, we agreed that her sadness was being reexperienced. She was again experiencing loss and was missing her mother today and at the times in her life when she wished her mother was present for discussion and comfort.

Several days after this event, I met a young boy who was sad because his dog had run away, and he did not know where his dog was. The same day I met a teenager saddened after the breakup of a significant friendship.

Then, I remembered the day I visited a young woman dying from cancer. As I was leaving, she sat up in bed and exclaimed, "I am dying, I don't know what to do." Needless to say, I stayed; we talked.

These experiences of sadness, the emotional pain associated with or characterized by feelings of loss, fear, longing, abandonment, grief, helplessness, disappointment, loneliness and sorrow, led to a reflection on how loss and sadness are intertwined in so many instances.

Losses involve grief and mourning, the process of healing after the loss. I was also

reminded that memories of a loss can again be experienced as sadness and lead a person to say that they are depressed.

Particular Gospel stories connect with the experiences of individuals that I encounter.

I reflect on stories, such as the words of Jesus at prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will" (Mt 26:39).

I also reflect on his apostles experiencing loss and fear as they gathered in the upper room attempting to make sense of Christ's death; the women who came to the tomb of Jesus bringing spices they had prepared, experiencing loss, sadness and fear at the rolled back stone and not finding Jesus (Lk 24: 1-3); and the Emmaus story of recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:13-35).

One can only imagine the deep sadness that Jesus experienced in the garden; the apostles, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the disciples experienced after Jesus' death; as well as the sadness and sorrow experienced in the Emmaus story.

As Christians we hold a deep belief in the resurrection that accompanies sadness and sorrow. There is life after death; there is new life after the experience of sadness and loss.

Today, as a clinical social worker, I meet with individuals of various ages and walks of life, who are hurting and sad from current and past

Sister Joanne Belloli; Rich Kalonick photo.

experiences of loss and think they are depressed.

They are experiencing sadness about missing loved ones, opportunities that were missed and cannot be regained, physical losses due to medical conditions, losses because of personal past decisions and a variety of other types of losses that bring sadness.

Many share stories of depression that can be identified as situational depression from losses, experienced or remembered, which bring individuals to label their feelings as sadness in their current life. Many times, their stories of situational depression come and go as the memories reoccur once again and sadness from loss is identified.

Situational depression differs from long-term depression and major depression. Situational depression is experienced from a particular event.

Long-term depression, or Persistent Depressive Disorder, requires that an individual has — continued on Page 15 Story by Sister Joanne Belloli; Copyright (c) 2022 Catholic News Service www.catholicnews.com Reprinted with permission of CNS.

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Ministry

The Soul of Chile during September, the month honoring our country

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resh air of spring Walking in the streets (población) among the people, one feels the warm spring air and enjoys the almond trees and the aromas of the beautiful flowers beginning to show their white and yellow blooms.

It’s a feeling of hope that better times are ahead for the country, for the political situation and for the Chilean Church in its synodal process. (Chile is in the Southern hemisphere, so spring begins in September.)

The pandemic time, a time of solidarity We recognize that our country and the world have lived through very difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of the campaign to vaccinate, the pandemic reoccurred during winter 2022 because of the intense cold.

Nevertheless, it emphasized how the work and commitment of the health department responded during this complicated period of the past three years. We thank these health care workers very sincerely for all their efforts, asking the Lord of Life to continue gifting them with strength and commitment with the people who continue living these difficult moments.

Our country is noted for showing “the soul of Chile” in its spontaneity in difficult times like natural disasters and pandemics, especially the solidarity in the humble areas.

There, women in the homes mobilize quickly and create common food sources so that 14

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all, even the most vulnerable, can receive something to eat.

We hope that humanity shows itself as it has in previous situations, that from this pandemic new ways of living community will come forth with new values for the health and personal care of all. Facets of this are emerging with online work and new models to confront, in creative and positive ways, a response to risks of future unknown emergencies.

A climate with a rain of hope Thanks be to God, during this past winter we have received rain, although with much cold, but nothing compared to the drought of the past 13 years. During 2021, there was a horrendous drought which affected biodiversity and the welfare of thousands of animals. About 50,000 animals were affected by the lack of rain. As for the human population, more than 6 million were affected — 38% of the population. Because of the drought, 72% of the land was affected by not having enough harvests. That is why we are so grateful for the rainfall, even though there is a deficit of 35%.

The hope is that the melting snow and the rain will be sufficient for the coming summer.

New constitution, fresh air In the month of September which is upon us, we will celebrate “Fiestas Patrias” (patriotic celebrations), and we are hoping to participate in the process of voting for the new

Sisters Noemi and Rita in front of their house in Cerro Navia, Chile, April 2019; contributed photo.

constitution of our country.

This constitution will permit us to respond to “new times” to keep our fundamental rights that have been part of the constitution since the beginning in 1812 until 1980. We value the right and duty to vote for the approval or rejection of the constitution in its new form.

With pride we will be able to live a historical moment of change in that the citizens will have the right to decide and participate in choosing or rejecting the new constitution.

In regard to this we are reminded of Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez, who in 1974 proclaimed “the Soul of Chile” in the Te Deum for the country’s celebration. He said, “the country does not invent or transplant, because it is fundamentally ‘soul,’ the collective soul of the people, the consensus and communion of spirit that no one can violate or Story by Sisters Noemí Flores and Rita Manríquez; translation by Sister Marita Beumer

Time of synodality; time of happiness The joy of the Gospel fills the heart and one’s entire life for those who have found Jesus.

Those who have accepted to be saved by Jesus are liberated from sin, from sadness, emptiness and isolation. With Jesus Christ, joy continues to be born over and over again.

We give thanks to God that even with the light and darkness within the life of our church, there’s an enthusiastic participation in the Christian communities for the synodal encounters that are happening in the Chilean church.

The times of the Synod are joyful ones so that the Christian — continued from Page 13

experienced depressed mood for more days than not and for at least two years in adults and one year in children.

This type of depression may bring sadness and include low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, low energy, difficulty concentrating. The diagnostic indicator of Persistent Depressive Disorder is the length of time in years it is experienced.

Another type of clinical depression is Major Depressive Disorder that also requires diagnostic specifiers and may indicate a need for medications

is able to move ahead and live a joyful and peaceful life regardless of what happens. “With those who have found Jesus, the joy of the Gospel fills our hearts and our whole life.” That is what Cardinal Celestino, OFM Cap., wrote to us in a pastoral letter in March at the beginning of the new pastoral year.

Monsignor Cristián Roncagliolo, auxiliary bishop of Santiago, reminded us in a homily that this process was not only good for the church synod, but it is a prophetic “lamp” that will light up our country and will nurture a witness of humility, “that communion and fraternity are indispensable to build the future of Chile.”

Oremos Virgen del Carmen, Holy Mother, God chose you as the mother of His Son, Jesus,

who brings us love and peace.

Mother of Chile, we honor you with the Fathers of our country of Chile, the very valiant ones in our history since the beginning whom you have blessed.

Today we entrust you with all that we are and have: our homes, schools and offices; our factories, stadiums and routes; the countryside, the farms, the mines and the sea. Protect us from earthquakes and wars, keep us from disagreements, assist our government, help our soldiers, teach us to have true progress, which is to build a great nation of brothers and sisters where all have bread, respect and happiness. Virgen del Carmen, Star of Chile, be with us during the day and at night, give us light on our path. Mother of the Church, you receive and you give us Christ, as with you we offer ourselves to Him and that He extends His saving arms of the Cross and the hope of resurrection over us. Amen.

Virgen del Carmen, Queen of Chile, save your people who cry to you. 

and therapeutic treatment.

Currently, the trauma of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, news stories of fires, killings and other events, may have ways of enhancing individual past and current experiences of losses, memories and sadness.

Their past losses and traumas are again being remembered. With any type of memories, reexperienced depression — whether it be situational, persistent or major depression — can occur.

It is important to name the feelings associated with an event or memory and talk with

a trusted friend or counselor who will listen, as the feelings and events named by the person are shared and processed without judgment.

Sadness is a feeling that is part of our lives and cannot be diminished. It needs to be heard and explained in telling one's feelings and stories. Journaling can also be a strategy to assist in a healing process.

Sadness calls for healing and restored peace. The paraphrased words of St. Teresa of Kolkata may be of assistance: If you want peace, go home and love your family. 

PRAYER FOR CHILE We put ourselves under the protection of Our Mother, La Virgen del Carmen, Queen and Mother of Chile

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Ministry

twist, nor be the will of a few.”

The celebration of the country’s Independence Day and the month of September constitutes the “soul of our political, social, cultural, religious life” which gives us the opportunity to look ahead to the future with hope and to express the good that we love about Chile.

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.

May 7 — Sister LaKesha Church graduated from Mount St. Joseph University with a master’s degree in early childhood education. She now embarks on a new chapter as she moves across the country to teach fourth grade at St. Adelaide Academy in Highland, California.

May 12 — Sister Mary E. Wendeln received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and Su Casa Hispanic Center, in honor of her “lifelong mission of advocacy and legal services to vulnerable immigrant families.”

May 22 — Several Sisters, along with Archivist Sarah Aisenbrey, attended the Mass and reception celebrating the centennial of St. Rita Parish in Dayton. Several historical items from the Congregation’s archives were on display. Beginning in 1946, numerous Precious Blood Sisters taught at the former parish school, which in 2010 merged with Precious Blood School to form Mother Brunner Catholic School.

May 24 — The National Association of Pastoral Musicians awarded Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman the Jubilate Deo award, which is given “in recognition of a substantial contribution to the development of pastoral liturgy in the United States.” The organization presented the award to Sister Joyce Ann during the 45th NPM National Convention, held June 28-July 1 in Louisville, Kentucky.

July 23 — Sister Mūmbi Kīgūtha, who serves as organizing secretary of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network, spoke at the organization’s Congress on Theology, Society and Pastoral Life, held July 18-23 in Nairobi, Kenya. She was also quoted in articles about the congress in National Catholic Reporter and ACI Africa.

July 28 — The National Black Sisters’ Conference held their first in-person meeting in two years on July 23-28. As part of the gathering, the conference elected new leadership, including Precious Blood Sister LaKesha Church.

August 15 — Pauline Siesegh was received in the novitiate in a small ceremony at a congregational residence. Originally from Ghana, Novice Sister Pauline currently volunteers at Mother Brunner School and Food for the Journey Project in Dayton. A Mass and reception will be held in October to welcome her to the community.

Top, Sister LaKesha at her graduation ceremony; second, Sister Mary E. with her award; contributed photos. Third, reception at St. Rita Parish; Sarah Aisenbrey photo. Fourth, Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman (left) at the NPM National Convention; fifth, Sister LaKesha (third from left, back row) at the National Black Sisters' Conference; contributed photos. Bottom, Sister Pauline Siesegh; Danny Schneible photo.

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In Brief

August 22 — Novice Sister Juliana Wuur began her yearlong participation in the Intercongregational Collaborative Novitiate program in Chicago. Organized by the Religious Formation Conference, the program features two novice directors and a total of six novices who come from six different countries and six different congregations.

August 28 — Sisters Edna Hess, Linda Pleiman and Judy Kroeger attended the Donor Appreciation Mass at the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics. The shrine was the Congregation’s original motherhouse; since 2017, it has operated as a nonprofit organization and provides ministries as a diocesan shrine under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

September 16 — Precious Blood Sisters, along with Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator Jen Morin-Williamson, attended the 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction for Su Casa Hispanic Center of Cincinnati. The Congregation is a longtime supporter of Su Casa, a program of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio.

Top, (third from left, back row), Sister Juliana with the ICCN novices for 2022-23; bottom, Sisters Linda, Judy and Edna with Father David Zink at the Donor Appreciation Mass; contributed photos.

— continued from Page 9

clothes they still have, to care for their children and grandchildren as best they can. They come, they want to live, they want to heal, they want to know there is hope for them.

Grace creates space for the unexpected, for these women to let go and let God’s grace show them what is possible for them and what is yet to come as they rise up!

Our mothers are crying out for the mothers and children in Ukraine! They know the pain of violence, of living in fear, of being evicted from their homes, of being without and yet they see that their pain is nothing compared to these women and children. They want to help — they pray — they cry in solidarity.

We often hear that “hurt people hurt people” but I see, as well, in our PBMR women that “healing people heal people.” Each of the women we accompany have experi-

enced so much trauma from violence, racism, poverty and rejection, but as they find healing and hope, they are eager to pass on these gifts and graces to other women in the circle and beyond.

So, we at PBMR are blessed to help create those spaces where women, youth and neighborhood friends, myself included, can experience explosions of grace and spaces of hospitality, hope and healing — where there can be new ways of being together, new relationships, and new energy for building the beloved grace-impacted community!

May we all be aware of those explosions of grace and be amazed and give thanks! 

Precious Blood Sister Donna Liette serves in ministry at the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation as the Family Forward program coordinator. Recently she was interviewed on Chicago Catholic: Beyond the Headlines, hosted by Joyce Duriga, editor of Chicago Catholic newspaper. Sister Donna shared updates about monthly prayer vigils being held in Chicago for victims of homicide, and about the programs and services offered

by PMBR. The half-hour interview is available on YouTube at https:// youtu.be/2MAyeouZ8DE.

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In Memoriam

Sister Ruth Ann Meyer

September 1928 — September 5, 2022

A

Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Ruth Ann Meyer was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on September 8. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 76 years.

Sister Ruth Ann was born in Leipsic, Ohio, in September 1928, to parents Edwin J. and Lenore (Schroeder) Meyer. She grew up on a farm with six brothers and two sisters. After graduating from Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Ottawa, Ohio, in 1946, she entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton.

In her professional life as a teacher and researcher, Sister Ruth Ann served at many different locations and at different levels. After graduating from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana, with a B.S. in education, and receiving an M.A. in mathematics at the University of Illinois, she taught at Carroll High School in Dayton for nine years. She set up the math department at Carroll since she was on the original faculty of the school. She taught two years each at Regina High School in Cincinnati and at St. Mary’s in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to that time she taught elementary and middle school classes at St. Mary’s in Phoenix and St. Mark’s in Cincinnati. In 1972 she received a National

Science Foundation Scholarship to support her study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which led to a Ph.D. degree in mathematics education in 1975. For the next 35 years, Dr. Meyer served within the Department of Mathematics at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a professor of mathematics, chair of the department from 1992-1996, and principal investigator of several projects designed to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics within Michigan’s elementary, middle and high schools. To support that activity, she and Dr. Robert Laing, a colleague at WMU, garnered more than $20 million from the National Science Foundation, Michigan Department of Education, and other foundations located within Michigan.

After she retired to Salem Heights in 2011, Ruth Ann volunteered to tutor at Brunner Literacy Center. She also wrote proposals to obtain funding for the center. She continued her work there until she became ill in July 2016.

Sister Ruth Ann joins her parents and four siblings in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, two sisters, two brothers and a large family of nieces and nephews. Her gentle presence will be missed.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

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

Father Joseph Rodak, CPPS, died on May 18.

Sister Teresa Monnin (deceased) on the death of her sister-in-law, Doris, on May 19.

Sister Donna Liette on the death of her sister, Barbara Ann Koverman, on May 24.

Sister Edna Hess on the death of her brother, Les, on June 4.

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Sister Judy Niday on the death of her sister, Cathy, on June 26.

Father Bill Kramer died on July 2.

Sister Barbara Brown on the death of her brother, John, on July 3.

Marna Finnerty (former Sister Jean Andre) died on July 8.

Sister Anna Maria Sanders on the death of her sister,

Betty Laux, on July 13.

Sister Rosemary Laux on the death of her sister-in-law, Betty, on July 26.

Jen Morin-Williamson (Peace, Justice and Ecology coordinator) on the death of her son, Elijah, on August 17.

Sister Eva Roehrich on the death of her sister, Bernadette Watkins, on September 10.

In Memoriam

Sister Eleanor McNally

December 1918 — August 29, 2022

A

Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Eleanor McNally was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on September 7. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 89 years.

Born in 1918 in Hollywood, California, she entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, in 1933.

Sister Eleanor began her life in ministry in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as a teacher at Sts. Peter & Paul and Regina High School in Cincinnati; then at St. Mary, Dayton; Sts. Peter & Paul, Ottawa; and St. Mary, Fort Recovery. She then moved West and taught in Arizona and California. Sister served on the administrative team of the Sisters of the Precious Blood as Councilor and Western Region Director for 12 years. The next 39 years were spent in the San Diego Diocese ministering in various diocesan positions and in parish ministry.

In retirement Sister continued to serve others. Her Irish wit, listening ear, joyful spirit and ability to welcome everyone with dignity and respect are her lasting legacy.

Sister Eleanor's last prayerful wish for each of you: May the road rise up to meet you!

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm on your face!

And the rain fall softly on your fields!

And until we meet again, may God hold you gently in the palm of his hand.

A favorite quote of Sister Eleanor: "Bathed in the Blood of Christ, She slipped through death's gentle doors In to the heart of God" — St. Catherine of Siena Sister Eleanor joins her parents and 3 brothers in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters and beloved large family of nieces and nephews. She will be missed.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

Sister Virgine Elking April 1930 — June 21, 2022

A

Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Virgine Elking was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on June 24. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 74 years.

Sister Virgine was born to Fred and Rosa (Schmalstig) Elking in April 1930 in Dayton, Ohio, and entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, in 1948.

Sister Virgine attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Julienne High School in Dayton.

During high school, she was a member of the Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary and Drill Team #79. She also helped organize the Dominicanettes in Dayton. Sister received degrees from the University of Dayton, Xavier University and Boston College. Although she wanted to be a nurse, Mother Nathalia insisted she teach

for three years before going into nursing. After three years, she fell in love with teaching. She spent 32 years in Catholic education and administration. After completing her clinical pastoral education at Kettering Medical Center in 1990, she ministered as the Catholic chaplain at Miami Valley Hospital. She was involved in parish work, especially RCIA, at Ascension Church in Kettering and Precious Blood Parish in Trotwood. She spent her retirement years volunteering, writing, tutoring and lecturing.

Sister Virgine joins her parents, five siblings and their spouses, Esther and Bob Lutz, Ralph and Helen Elking, Agnes and Martin Wehner, Wilfred and Hazel Elking and Sister Paulette Elking, MMS, in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters and four generations of nieces and nephews. She will be missed.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

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Scenes from Salem Heights

K

im Jaynes, activity coordinator, organized Fair Week for the Sisters during the week of August 21. The Sisters enjoyed a petting zoo with farm animals, a carnival and Buck the Magic Cowboy! 

Clockwise from top left, Sister Laura Will watches the goats; Sheena McCormick photo. Sister Rosemary Goubeaux pets a pony; Sarah Aisenbrey photo.

Buck the Magic Cowboy does magic tricks with Sister Jane Francis Hoffman; Sister Marla Gipson watches Sister Regina Albers play the duck pond game; Cristen Allen photos. Kim Jaynes watches Sister Eva Roehrich play the disk game; Sisters Deb Huss and Rosemary Goubeaux pick their prizes from the prize table; Michelle Bodine photos.

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