Our work for justice has deep roots
Each year on Oct. 1, we Sisters of the Precious Blood of Dayton, Ohio, celebrate the birthday of our Foundress, Mother Maria Anna Brunner. We call her Mother not because she was our first Mother General or Major Superior, but rather because her six children called her Mother, as did many of her Swiss neighbors whom she helped and for whose children she was godmother. Maria Anna Brunner modeled motherhood and sisterhood in memorable ways; I would say that for many of our Sisters, she is as present as their memories of their own grandmothers and mothers.
Later in the month, October 21, we celebrate the feast day of St. Gaspar del Bufalo. This Italian priest was a consummate preacher and missionary in the villages and towns near Rome. His specialty, so to speak, was preaching to those who felt alienated from church and society, especially the roving banditi (bandits or outlaws). His preaching converted many from a life of crime. Using a large cross as a prop for his sermons, Gaspar spoke of the redeeming love of Christ made evident in the shedding of His blood on that cross.
Soon other priests followed in St. Gaspar’s footsteps, and the message of the love of God exemplified in the Precious Blood spread. On a pilgrimage to Rome, which was extended because of illness, Mother Brunner heard these impassioned priests preach and was so moved by their message that she vowed to spread the
spirituality of the Precious Blood as far as she could when she returned to Switzerland. However, her frail health prevented her from travelling outside her son’s seminary where she resided. But the village women who worked at the seminary were so deeply moved by her fervor, they followed her example of prayer, sacrifice and good works especially toward those less fortunate. That small band became the beginning of our community nearly 200 years ago.
These two larger-than-life figures in the lives of our Sisters have called us to continue to proclaim God’s loving presence in the Precious Blood. You will notice that the main article in this issue speaks to the prevalence of gun violence in our country. There have been over 400 mass shootings that have happened in the United States since January 1. The phrase “guns don’t shoot people; people shoot people” is only partially correct. Guns don’t shoot people, true; but people with guns do. Both elements are necessary to cause devastation. Remove the access to these tools of death and the number of mass shootings would diminish dramatically. The death and destruction visited on everyday citizens is a bloody mark on our society. There are reasons to have and use guns, such as protection or hunting, but some guns have no other reason than to kill people, and as many people as possible in as short a time as possible. Blood shed through violence, war, anger or criminal activity
cries out to us. The Precious Blood of Jesus in turn calls out to us to respond in actions of peacemaking and reconciliation. In that spirit, we Sisters of the Precious Blood are raising awareness about the risk that effortless gun ownership can create and are encouraging people to ensure that guns are not accessible to individuals with mental illness, that children are not put in a situation where guns are easily accessible, that assault or automatic weapons are not available to the general public, and that people who do have a reason to have a gun are adequately trained in firing and storing the weapon. The Precious Blood calls out to us. Join us in trying to stop the senseless bloodshed of our children, our friends and our neighbors. St. Gaspar and Mother Brunner would approve.
Sister Joyce Lehman President, Sisters of the Precious Blood
An Evening of Scripture, Silence and Song
An opportunity to open our hearts to Christ through Eucharistic adoration took place at Precious Blood Church on June 9. The St. Gaspar Family of Parishes, composed of six Catholic parishes in Northwest Dayton, planned this event and invited everyone to attend.
In the beautiful Precious Blood Church, the adoration began with Deacon Mike Prier who very prayerfully brought the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance to the altar. We then all joined together in several cycles of a Scripture reading followed by a song, and then a few minutes of sacred silence.
Some of the various readings were done by a priest, and others were done by lay members. The music was provided by Hope Choir of Dayton, Emmanuel Children’s Choir, Wilson Family Singers, St. Romanos Choir of Emmanuel Church, Holy Trinity Choir and the Combined Choir of the Parishes of Northwest Dayton.
This profound and glorious event gave honor and glory to God in the most Blessed Sacrament and brought the six parishes closer as one family in God. The night was a holy, sacred moment that will echo in our hearts.
Six Sisters who live at Salem Heights participated in this prayerful time: Sisters Martha Bertke, Martha Eckstein, Rosemary Goubeaux, Mary Faye Hellman and Mary Ellen Lampe. Sister Dorothy Koenig accompanied her niece and her husband to this time of adoration. As we returned home, our hearts were filled with gratitude.
CPPS Mission Statement
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.
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.
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Michelle Bodine, Communications Coordinator
Editorial Content
Mary Knapke, Communications Assistant
Address communications to: Office of Communications Sisters of the Precious Blood 4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426 phone: (937) 715-9580 email: mbodine@cppsadmin.org Printing Progressive Printers Inc., Dayton, Ohio PRINTED WITH SOY INK ON RECYCLED PAPER
Contributing writers: Sarah Aisenbrey, Archivist; Jen Morin-Williamson, Peace, Justice & Ecology Coordinator; Teri Iverson, Vocation Ministry Coordinator; Sheena McCormick, Administrator of Salem Heights
Story and photos by Sister Martha Bertke
Joined together in the Precious Blood
From June 17-20, 18 of our Sisters and staff participated in the Eucharistic Convocation held in St. Louis and hosted by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. We were also joined by attendees from two other congregations — the Adorers of the Blood of Christ and the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon) — along with companions and associates. In all, over 200 people attended the convocation.
Through plenary sessions and various breakout discussions, we deepened our understanding of Precious Blood spirituality. One of the inspiring speakers was our own Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman. In her presentation titled “Same Life, Same Love, Same Mystery: Eucharist and Precious Blood Spirituality,” Sister Joyce Ann used the Seven Blood Sheddings of Christ and the Seven Offerings to interpret the mystery of both Eucharist and Precious Blood through the lens of life and love.
“I was greatly impressed by the solidarity of community I experienced from the very beginning. There were no distinctions between priests, brothers, sisters, companions, laity … we were truly one Body in Christ,” Sister Joyce Ann said following the convocation. “There was a beautiful balance among formal sessions, socials, prayer, and free time which gave us time to mix and converse in deeper conversations.”
We also enjoyed uplifting prayers and powerful liturgies. Sister Joyce Lehman shared a touching reflection during our final Mass. As part of her reflection, she said:
“The power of the precious blood of Jesus is liberation and redemption: the freedom of the daughters and sons of God from all that binds us. Jesus’ shedding of his blood, to the last drop, epitomized his gift of self to accomplish this liberation and to show us how to live in it. The face of God’s mercy is the face of Jesus.
“The cup of the new covenant in the Blood of Christ calls us, urges us, demands that we walk in freedom, not tied down to our guilt or shame. This freedom allows us to be our very best self, the self that God created and gifted to be able to love and be loved.”
Sister Joyce also noted the sense of community and equality of all in attendance at the
convocation.
It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections.
Story by Jen Morin-Williamson
Top, Sister Joyce Lehman; middle, Sisters Judy Kroeger, Terry Walter, Linda Pleiman and Carolyn Hoying; Jen Morin-Williamson photos. Bottom, Sisters and staff in attendance; contributed photo.
Emmitsburg Pilgrimage Retreat
Sister Karen Elliott served as the coordinator for a pilgrimage to Emmitsburg, Maryland. She reflects on her experience with faculty and staff members from Mount St. Joseph University, an employee of the Sisters of Charity, and three Sisters of Charity.
This summer, I participated in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage as it stopped through Emmitsburg, Maryland. The pilgrimage was part of the National Eucharistic Revival, which culminated in the National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis in July.
During the pilgrimage retreat, our mornings of reflection, led by Sister Judy Metz, SC, focused on the virtues of humility, simplicity and charity. These virtues, foundational in the lives of both St. Vincent de Paul and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, remain an integral part of the spirituality of the Sisters of Charity today and, by extension, have been essential in the lives of those who have ministered and continue to minister in partnership with the Sisters. After Sister Judy’s presentation, we had time for personal reflection followed by a time of group sharing. Being on the grounds where St.
Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the Sisters of Charity made this experience even more meaningful. Our afternoons and evenings were spent exploring areas in Emmitsburg and Frederick, Maryland, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where the early Sisters of Charity provided schooling and nursing care. Of particular note is the tremendous courage the Sisters demonstrated as they cared for wounded and dying soldiers on the battlefields in Gettysburg during that Civil War battle in which more than 50,000 causalities occurred.
On June 6, we joined in the Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, at The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, a stop on the Seton Route for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. It was awe-inspiring to join in prayer with more than 800 persons, united in
belief of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist! The responses to the prayers and the singing were especially meaningful as people’s voices filled the basilica with resounding praise. We were grateful to have both Sister Judy Metz and a historian from the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton with us to share amazing stories of the heritage and legacy of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. Indeed, we were profoundly aware that we were walking on “sacred ground” throughout the entirety of the pilgrimage.
Story by Sister Karen Elliott
Please join the Justice Committee of the Sisters of the Precious Blood YOU ARE INVITED to be present with us in prayer for unity this election season WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Salem Heights Chapel 4960 Salem Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45416
Front row, from left, Dr. Mike Sontag, Michelle Arnold and Sister Peggy Rein, SC; back row, from left, Janet Cox, Judith Briggs (25-year employee of the Sisters of Charity), Dr. Andy Buechel-Rieger, Mark McCafferty, Dr. Sister Karen Elliott, CPPS, and Sister Barbara Davis, SC; contributed photo.
A gift of grace: My experience at the National Eucharistic Congress
It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I hadn’t planned to attend the National Eucharistic Congress held in July. While I am an extrovert, the thought of five days with 50,000 people all crammed together in downtown Indianapolis did not sound like fun, especially with summer COVID running rampant. But when the Serra Club offered us a free booth in the exhibit hall, I couldn’t say no. Since part of my ministry is to promote vocations for the Sisters of the Precious Blood, I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to let Catholics know we are alive and thriving not only mere hours away, but also in other parts of the country and world. What I experienced was nothing short of amazing. From the moment the doors to the Exhibit Hall opened until the end of each day, throngs of people came by. Some stopped because they were aware that it was the month of the Precious Blood. Some stopped because they knew someone who was a CPPS Sister. Some stopped because they’d never heard of us and wanted to know more. And, yes, some stopped because they’ve felt a stirring to become a Sister. The days were long, and it felt like I talked with each one of the 50,000 people in attendance! Having Sister Ann Clark come over to spend one of the days at the table was immensely helpful … it saved my voice a little, gave me a couple of
breaks, and I got to eat lunch! I am grateful to her for taking the time to minister at the event. It was a wonderful time of communicating with others: other religious … colleagues … friends … and strangers.
Mornings were spent in praise and worship “meetings” according to the track you chose. I chose Renewal, which was geared toward professionals in ministry. The sessions began with praise and worship music and prayer followed by inspirational speakers who designed their messages to inspire and energize those who are ministering to others. These sessions were joyful, inspirational, energizing and restful, and they gave me the boost to spend the day talking with folks. After a day of conversations, I would race to grab something quick for dinner … sometimes that meant a hot dog and nachos (not the healthiest of dinners, but that’s what was available if I wanted to participate in the evening’s events) at Lucas Oil Stadium as I waited for the evening sessions to begin. Those sessions were aweinspiring. The speakers were amazing … with so many inspirational quotes and messages. One of the moments I enjoyed was hearing Jonathan Roumie (the Catholic actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen series) give the Bread of Life Discourse as “Jesus.” I KNOW he was just acting, but it still
gave me chills as I imagined what it was like to be there way back when it happened. There were so many wonderful moments … too many
Story by Teri Iverson
to mention here … but I believe one of my favorites was looking around the stadium to see 40,000-50,000 Catholics together worshiping, praying and celebrating our faith. There were times that we were singing at the top of our lungs and times when it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop … like Adoration that happened each evening. I don’t mind adoration, but it’s not something I seek out every week. This was something special. This was when it was so quiet you could almost hear the prayers being lifted up. It was special because of the sheer numbers gathered together in prayer. There is so much division in our cities, our states, our country and our world … but in those moments at the Eucharistic Congress, we were unified. We were challenged. We were one.
Vocations update - Congratulations, Sisters!
Sister LaKesha Church is inspiring the next generation as she teaches freshman religion at a vibrant high school in California.
Sister Mi-Kyoung Hwang completed a summer unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) with the OhioHealth System in Columbus and was
accepted into the residency program with OhioHealth, a family of nonprofit hospitals and health care facilities in central Ohio.
Sister Pauline Siesegh recently began a new ministry as a fourth grade teacher at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School in Dayton.
Letters to the Editor
Sister Juliana Wuur is currently studying at Ohio Medical Career College in Dayton in the Practical Nursing Program. She is pursuing licensure as a practical nurse (LPN). She is also a certified nurse’s aide and ministers at Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
All “my” Sisters have gone to their heavenly reward as I am old, 75. But, I want to share that they taught me well. From Algebra to Typing. But also “empirical testing” in biology that helped me as the mom of a very allergic child. And, needless to say, a very strong sense of patriotism as well as loyalty to our church. I could write a book...
May God bless you all richly, Kathleen Avina
We extend our sincere thanks to the Sisters who helped label hundreds of postcards for the League of Women Voters Dayton Chapter. They ensured voters in Dayton will be informed about their registration status and have the chance to update it, supporting democracy and voter rights in our community.
Christine Corba
League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area
Previous page, top, Teri with Sister Ann Clark; middle, Teri with Father Angelo Anthony; contributed photos. Bottom, Lucas Oil Stadium; above, Gloria Purvis; Teri Iverson photos.
Sister Pauline Siesegh professes first vows
In a jubilant ceremony on June 22, Sister Pauline Siesegh professed her first vows as a Sister of the Precious Blood. The Mass and ceremony took place at the Salem Heights chapel, at the Congregation’s central house in Dayton.
Originally from Ghana, Sister Pauline grew up in Nandom, Monyupelle, in the country’s Upper West Region. She became acquainted with the Sisters of the Precious Blood while researching women’s religious communities online. Before coming to the U.S., she was in administration at St. Anne’s Girls Senior High School in Damongo in the Savannah Region of Ghana.
“I am grateful to God for the blessings and graces that have led me to this path, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the support of my community,” Sister Pauline said. “Thank you for the opportunity to dedicate my life to prayer, service and love of the neighbor. May my vocation be a source of joy, peace and fruitfulness, and may I always remain faithful to my call to be a religious.”
Many Precious Blood Sisters and several of Sister Pauline’s family and friends attended the Mass and the luncheon that followed. The celebration was enriched by exuberant Ghanaian songs and dancing.
Sister Pauline’s brother, Monsignor Remigius Siesegh — who is currently in ministry in the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization — presided at the liturgy, with Father Angelo Anthony, CPPS, serving as homilist. Concelebrants included Fathers Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp., and Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp.
During the homily, Father Angelo spoke about love — specifically, that each of us carries God’s love within us, since we are all created in God’s image and likeness.
“Pauline’s love story with God began in Nandom, Ghana. Similar to the call of Abram, she heard God’s call to leave her homeland and to go to a distant land,” he said. “For Sister Pauline, it speaks of a place where she has continued to hear the word of God in her heart and her soul. It speaks of a place where she’s entered into a covenant of love with God and the Sisters of the Precious
Blood. She brings with her … a heart filled with hope as her love story with God continues to unfold.”
Story by Mary Knapke
Top, Sisters Pauline Siesegh, Ann Clark and Joyce Lehman with Father Angelo Anthony; middle, exuberant Ghanaian songs and dancing; bottom, Sister Pauline after the ceremony; Michelle Bodine photos.
ICreative 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.
enjoy making a type of artwork called counted crossstitch. It uses Aida cloth, which is a fabric woven with evenly spaced holes, colored thread known as floss, and a picture that comes in chart form that has symbols to let me know what color floss to use. I make half an ‘x’ one way and cross it the other way to complete the ‘x’. These are normally bought in prepackaged kits, but I use personal photographs or charts from magazines for a customized touch.
I’ve been cross-stitching inconsistently since the late 1990s. I always liked crafting. My mom used to sew, crochet blankets and, at one time, cross-stitched — so when I came across a cross-stitch kit that she had put aside, with permission, I took it up and started working on it. It took a long time to complete, but I was satisfied with the final results and had it framed as a Mother’s Day gift for my mom about a decade ago.
As I continued with the craft, I would buy kits on sale and use cross-stitching magazines to show me how to make certain stitches and to ensure that the back of my art was just as tidy as the front. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way, dutifully unpicking my work and reworking it until I got it right. As I progressed in skill and interest, I started cross-stitching
photographs. My first project was a picture of my friend’s grandmother, who treated me as a loving grandchild, and I wanted to honor her passing by stitching a picture of her for each of her children and my friend. That was a total of five pictures and framing!
Cross-stitch for me is satisfying. I enjoy the process and the challenge of keeping my stitches even, the challenge of keeping tidy, and the slow reveal of the picture as I work with the different colors. It isn’t mindless work, either, because you have to stay focused and patient when your needle doesn’t go in the right hole or when your floss becomes tangled or knotted.
I consider my art time a prayerful process, especially when I stitch with an intended recipient in mind. As I stitch, I pray for that person and keep them in my thoughts. I usually turn on music or an audiobook and during those quiet hours of stitching, I would experience many holy moments.
I completed a picture for my Aunt Sandra about 12 years ago. She really liked it and kept it in a special place in her house. Unfortunately, her house was damaged by fire, and all was lost. She asked if I would make her another. Knowing that her health was declining, I worked quickly and presented it to her at Christmastime last year.
Sadly, she died this past April, and I received the cross-stitch back. Now I get to enjoy it in memory of her, and it serves as a reminder of our shared history and my love for her.
Story by Sister LaKesha Church
Seed of Life Dedication
On August 4, I walked eight sweltering blocks to the Seed of Life memorial dedication ceremony honoring the nine victims of Dayton’s Oregon District shooting that took place Aug. 4, 2019. Grateful to find the last seat under the tent, I was moved by the ceremony, from the opening piano to the closing bagpipe performance, both featuring “Amazing Grace.” I witnessed many touching moments, including a presentation by the team of artists, a powerful poem recitation, and the release of nine doves. I noticed a woman in front of me gently wiping the eyes and face of another woman next to her, who wept throughout the entire dedication. It was clear she had lost someone. I also saw a Dayton city commissioner comforting a little girl who was crying uncontrollably, listening to her and offering solace. Dion Green, who lost his father Derrick Fudge in the mass shooting and is now a passionate advocate for gun violence prevention, was present. Members of Moms Demand Action were also there in full force, wearing their signature red T-shirts. As we remembered the nine who lost their lives, I joined in the silence to honor their memory and the immense pain their families and loved ones are enduring. However, I couldn’t shake a feeling of discomfort. The alleged perpetrator of this tragedy was not mentioned, and as a Christian,
this unsettled me. I understand the concerns about naming the shooter, given the risk of encouraging others to seek notoriety through similar acts of violence. Yet, I believe it’s important not to forget him. He was also a person with his own family and loved ones, and he, too, is loved by God. I once heard Sister Helen Prejean say that “it is easy to love the innocent, but it is hard to love the guilty.” Yes. So, I will include the alleged perpetrator’s name in my prayers for all victims and their families, acknowledging the complexity of our call to love and forgiveness. This experience inspired me to be even more deter-
mined than ever to advocate for meaningful change that addresses this epidemic. The ripple effects of gun violence are far-reaching, and the statistics paint a grim picture: Every day, more than 120 Americans are killed by guns, while more than 200 are wounded. These numbers reflect an urgent need for action to protect lives, promote peace and uphold the dignity of every person.
Our Congregation is driven by the Gospel’s call for nonviolence and Catholic social justice teachings on human dignity. These values compel
Compassionate Creator, rain down your gift of comfort on the families and loved ones of the souls of these your beloved that you have received into their heavenly home.
Megan Betts, 22
Monica Brickhouse, 39
Nicholas Cumer, 25
Derrick Fudge, 57
Thomas McNichols, 25
Lois Oglesby, 27
Saeed Saleh, 38
Logan Turner, 30
Beatrice “Nicole” Warren-Curtis, 36 Connor Betts, 24
Story and photos by Jen MorinWilliamson
and Beyond
us to speak out on gun violence. Recognizing the complexity and political sensitivities of this issue, we remain steadfast in our commitment to taking concrete steps that prioritize the safety of individuals, families and communities. Our efforts center around three key areas: safe storage, background checks and banning assault weapons.
One of the most critical and actionable areas in reducing gun violence is ensuring the safe storage of firearms. Every year, tragedies occur when guns are left unsecured in homes or vehicles, leading to unintended injuries and deaths. Alarmingly, 80% of firearm suicides among children under 18 involve a gun owned by a family member, while 76% of school shootings involve firearms taken from the home. Unsecured firearms are also the leading cause of unintentional shootings among children — 76% of these tragic
incidents occur with guns stored in easily accessible places like nightstands. The risk is not limited to homes. Between 2017 and 2021, there were over 770,000 incidents of private firearm theft, with a significant number of guns stolen from unattended vehicles. Every nine minutes, a gun is stolen from a car in the U.S., fueling the problem of illegal firearms in circulation.
Ethan’s Law, proposed national legislation named after Ethan Song, a teenager who tragically lost his life to an unsecured firearm, addresses this issue head-on. The law would require that all firearms in homes be safely stored, especially in the presence of minors. Such commonsense measures would make a profound difference in preventing gun-related accidents and tragedies. Another vital step in curbing gun violence is strengthening
background checks to ensure that firearms are not sold to individuals with criminal records, domestic violence restraining orders, or severe mental health issues. By closing loopholes and implementing rigorous checks, we can prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.
We also advocate for the implementation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders, also known as red flag laws. These laws allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. This preventive measure has already proved effective in reducing the risk of gun-related suicides and homicides.
The proliferation of assault weapons in the U.S. is another alarming factor contributing to the epidemic of gun violence. Assault weapons, often used in mass shootings, are designed for rapid fire and maximum destruction, making them particularly dangerous in civilian settings. We strongly support a ban on these firearms and any devices that modify guns to function like assault weapons.
Additionally, we oppose the availability of ghost guns — untraceable firearms that can be assembled from parts and lack serial numbers. These weapons bypass critical regulations and are increasingly showing up at crime scenes. Gun trafficking, both domestically and internationally, must also be addressed through robust legislation and enforce-
Previous page, Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims speaks during the dedication; above, Moms Demand Action with former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.
ment. We encourage efforts to crack down on the illegal sale of firearms, which perpetuates gun violence in communities across the nation. The statistics surrounding gun violence are harrowing and point to a national crisis that demands urgent action. In 2021, 13 U.S. service members were killed in hostile action — the same number of veterans that die by gun suicide every single day. Seventy-two percent of veteran suicides involve firearms, a proportion that has not been this high in over two decades.
Firearms are now the leading cause of death for American children and teens. Nearly 2,600 young lives are lost every year to gun homicides, most frequently occurring in homes and often linked to domestic or family violence. Black children and teens are disproportionately affected, being 17 times more likely than their white peers to die by gun homicide. Women in the U.S. are also at extreme risk. On average, 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner each month, and many more are
shot and wounded. Access to a gun makes it five times more likely that an abusive partner will kill a female victim.
The scale of gun violence in the U.S. can feel overwhelming, but there is hope in action. By advocating for legislation to ban assault weapons, require background checks, and ensure safe firearm storage, especially in homes with children, we are fostering a safer and more hopeful future. This reflects our Precious Blood spirituality and our conviction to honor the dignity of every human being and to promote peace and nonviolence. These values are the reason we need to continue this work and be even more persistent in our efforts.
For more information, visit NunsAgainstGunViolence.org.
View a monthly prayer vigil for victims of gun violence by searching “Nuns Against Gun Violence” on YouTube.
Statistics were sourced from: Everytown for Gun Safety, American Public Health Association, Brady: Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
In Sympathy
We offer sympathy and prayer to Sisters of the Precious Blood and friends who experienced the death of a loved one.
Father Bill Hoyng, CPPS, and Brother Theophane (Fred) Woodall, CPPS, died Sept. 28.
Sister Dianne Skubby (deceased) on the death of her sister, Marianne Sautter, on Sept. 3.
Father Alfred Naseman, CPPS, died July 31.
Father Thomas Brenberger,
CPPS, died July 22.
Sister Teresa Monnin (deceased) on the death of her sister, Dorothy “Dot” Monnin Hathaway, on June 30. Dorothy was also a former member.
Father LeRoy Moreeuw, CPPS, died June 23.
Sister Juliana Wuur on the death of her sister-in-law, Chris-
tiana Bareku Naab, on June 9, and on the death of her grandmother, Rosemary, on June 4.
Brother Jerry Schulte, CPPS, died June 9.
Sister Helen Weber on the death of her sister-in-law, Eileen Weber, on June 8.
Lois Kirk, a former member, died May 15.
On the cover and above, Seed of Life sulpture and mosaic.
Update from Guatemala
Sister Joyce Kahle and Sister Terry Walter are co-directors of Casa Sofía, our residence for university students in Guatemala City.
There is rarely a dull moment here at Casa Sofía, and it certainly keeps us busy!
Ana is in her third year of a five-year program in psychology at Mariano Gálvez University in Guatemala City.
Andrea is in her second year of medicine at the University of San Carlos (USAC) in Guatemala City.
Brenda is in her second year of social work at Rafael Landívar University in Antigua, with classes on Saturdays. She is also in her first year of studies in international relations at USAC, with classes Monday through Friday.
Carmen is in her first year of computer engineering at Mariano Gálvez University.
Jenifer studied social work during her first semester at USAC but decided she would much rather be an architect. So this semester she is studying for the exams to enter that field.
Karla is finishing her licenciatura, similar to a bachelor’s degree, in nursing at Mariano Gálvez and is working fulltime in a public clinic with HIV clients.
Marilia is still studying English and also recently took the exam to enter law school at USAC. That exam is extremely difficult, so her second option is social work.
We are also blessed by the friendships forged among our
former residents, who also continue to stay in touch with us!
Angélica now serves as director of education for the Center for Formation, a girls’ middle school and high school established by Sister Mary Faye Hellman. She lives at the Center.
Lety is working as coordinator of Christian and Ignatian formation at Landívar University and stayed with us at Casa Sofía while she recuperated from a nasty traffic accident. She is healing well now and is living in student housing near the campus. Angelica joins her on weekends.
Frania is now our assistant at Casa Sofía. She teaches a theology course at Landívar University in Guatemala City on Fridays while “learning the ropes” at Casa Sofía. She has been a great help to us, and she relates very well to each of the students here.
Zonia, who took Sister Mary Faye’s place as director of the Center for Formation, had been coming here to Casa Sofía for a couple of days each week to take time off. She takes a couple of days off in an apartment that she purchased, and Lena, who studies agronomy and teaches math at the Center, lives there with her.
Zoila works as Zonia’s assistant at the Center while she finishes her online studies in
math and physics education at Landívar University.
As Sister Terry and I are aging (gracefully, we hope!), we have been doing some serious consideration of what needs to happen for this important ministry to continue when we are no longer able to stay here, either because of physical aging or health conditions, or because our Congregation would call us to something different. The Center for Formation, the school established by Sister Mary Faye, has already been turned over to the nonprofit Association for Women of the Precious Blood. Sister Terry and I remain on the Association’s board of directors as members, but not officers.
Another concern is finding funding for this ministry to continue. We are in the process of talking with a nonprofit organization in Ohio that works in Guatemala, while always mindful that we want to en-
— continued on Page 19
Celebrating Sister Terry's birthday in June; Sister Joyce Kahle photo.
Story by Sister Joyce Kahle
Inside the CPPS Archives Painting the Pioneers
This column showcases artifacts or documents from the CPPS Archives in each issue of Sharing & Caring
In 2021, the Archives and Communications departments of the Sisters of the Precious Blood embarked on a new project – depicting the pioneer Sisters of the Congregation. Judy Campbell White, a local Trotwood artist, took on the challenge. Currently, four of the six pioneers are completed. The remaining paintings are forthcoming.
Experiences of the Painter – Judy Campbell White
I have had the honor of creating art that illustrates the beginnings of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. These brave and talented women had no idea how far their initial dedication would carry into the future. I love history and doing research, so this has been an adventure for me as well.
I began the series with Frances Bauer, a sister of Divine Providence. I looked into anti-Catholic politics in 1820s France. Sister Frances decided to sail to America with her nephew and family. I researched that era to learn: How did people travel to America in 1828? What would they be wearing? How long would it take?
I then moved on to Clara Meisen. In learning about her, I discovered some of the roots of the Congregation: Switzerland; its national flower, edelweiss; and the castle Loewenberg, where the Congregation was founded. As I paint each Sister, my research helps me to create and get to know each individual. It is impressive that the Sisters taught girls to read and write in this time period. They found their vocation in this wild setting. I love the sweetness of Rosalie Albrecht, who grew up at Loewenberg, then became a teacher in the New World. I’m reminded of their hardship physically: Sister Rosalie passed away at a young age from tuberculosis.
Most recently, to learn more about Sister Adelaide Schmerge, I’ve been researching public school teachers in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1840s. How did they become teachers? What was it like to live in Brooklyn during that time? What was their clothing like?
I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember. When creating these pieces, I usually draw everything in pencil. I’ve been painting these Sisters with gouache. It’s like watercolor but more opaque. It can be applied in layers or removed if lightly wiped. Gouache has been around for 12 centuries, even used in illuminated manuscripts.
I am a graduate of Trotwood-Madison High School. I have a bachelor’s degree in fine art and a master’s de-
gree in visual arts education from Wright State University. I taught at Bishop Leibold School in Miami Township for eight years. I’ve also taught at Dayton Public Schools, The International School at Residence Park, and Stivers School for The Arts. I have a
painting in the quiet room at the Trotwood branch of the Dayton Metro Library. Presently I teach art to children at Rosewood Arts Center in Kettering.
I have enjoyed being a part of this project of depicting the pioneers of the Congregation. The paintings give a face, a voice, and recognition to the initial women who started Mother Brunner’s good work that continues today.
Who’s Who – Sarah Aisenbrey
Hermitess Frances Bauer (1775-1859)
Hermitess Frances Bauer was not a member of the Congregation, but she helped the pioneer Sisters establish themselves in northern Ohio and petitioned for them to come to the United States to teach German immigrants.
Sister Clara Meisen (1795-1877)
Sister Clara Meisen was one of the first two Sisters to join Mother Maria Anna Brunner in adoring the Blessed Sacrament at Loewenberg Castle in Switzerland. After traveling to the United States, she remained a pillar in the Congregation until her death at 82.
Sister Rosalie Albrecht (1827-1847)
Sister Rosalie Albrecht was the Congregation’s first teacher in the United States. She taught for only two years before succumbing to tuberculosis.
Mother Maria Anna Albrecht (1808-1864)
Mother Maria Anna Albrecht was one of the first Sisters to come to the United States in 1844 and was the superior of the convent in Marywood (now Bellevue). She made several trips back and forth to Europe to receive more candidates into the Congregation. While on one of these trips, her daughter, Rosalie, died of tuberculosis. She only found out about her daughter’s death after her arrival in Ohio.
Not pictured:
Sister Johanna Gruenfelder (1819-1878)
Sister Johanna Gruenfelder was the longtime superior of the Congregation’s convent in Schellenberg, Liechtenstein, where new candidates were trained to become Sisters before traveling to the United States.
Sister Adelaide Schmerge (1819-1882)
Sister Adelaide Schmerge was the first professionally trained teacher in the Congregation. She received her education and began her teaching ministry in Brooklyn, New York. She entered the Congregation at 27, later than many other women at that time.
In Brief
Precious Blood Sisters were busy with a variety of events over the past few months. 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 29 — Sisters enjoyed a presentation by Jacquie Housel and Beth Schaeffer from the League of Women Voters. The presentation, hosted by the Congregation’s Justice Committee, focused on factors that affect voter turnout.
June 2 — Four participants from Mission Dayton Service Week visited the Sisters at the Amherst Place residence. They shared dinner, conversation and a Spirit-filled prayer service. A total of 35 students from Carroll High School in Dayton were involved in the service week.
June 27-30 — Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator Jen Morin-Williamson helped to host “Imago Dei: Embracing the Dignity of LGBTQ+ Persons,” an assembly for the Catholic LGBTQ+ community. The Congregation was also a sponsor of the event, which was hosted by the LGBTQ+ Initiative of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative at the Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning in Dayton.
July 18 — Sisters participated in a nationwide prayer effort organization by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Participants prayed for peace and nonviolence during the election season.
August 7 — Sister Thelma Wurzelbacher attended the SEEK (Sharing Education, Experience, Knowledge) Conference hosted by the College for Lifelong Learning at Sinclair Community College.
August 8 — Matthew McGarry, senior director of development at Catholic Relief Services, gave a presentation at Salem Heights on the current situation in Gaza.
August 16 — Sisters participated in “Who Then Shall We Be? A Contemplative Prayer for the World,” an online prayer service hosted by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
August 27 — Salem Heights hosted about 30 residents and 20 Sisters at the Northgate Neighborhood Association monthly meeting. All enjoyed meeting Trotwood Mayor Yvette Page.
Top, Mission Dayton Service Week participants with Sisters Rita Rogier, Juliana Wuur and Paula Gero; second, Jen Morin-Williamson at the Imago Dei assembly; contributed photos. Third, Sisters pray during the LCWR nationwide prayer effort; Cristen Allen photo. Fourth, Sister Thelma and Carrie Thomas work registration for participants at the SEEK conference; contributed photo. Fifth, LCWR logo.
September 5 — The Congregation was a sponsor of Light in the City, a free concert by Christian artists held in downtown Dayton. Sister Paula Gero also opened the event with a prayer.
September 5 — Precious Blood Sisters were invited to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new interfaith Good Samaritan Chapel at Miami Valley Hospital North in Dayton. Sister Martha Bertke also gave a blessing in the name of the Congregation. The new chapel was featured in the Sept. 10 edition of the Dayton Daily News
September 6 — As a member of the Nuns Against Gun Violence Steering Committee, our Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator Jen Morin-Williamson co-presented a gun violence prevention workshop with Jennifer Kryszak, Ph.D., director of strategic planning for the Franciscan Peace Center, at Pax Christi USA's virtual national conference, “We Are One Body: Being a Prophetic Church in a Time of Polarization and Conflict.”
September 12 — Jen Morin-Williamson represented the Congregation as a member of the Declare Community Fund grant review team and attended a luncheon celebrating grant recipients.
September 21 — The Congregation and the Precious Blood Spirituality Institute co-sponsored “The Eucharist as Unifying Force,” a day of reflection at Precious Blood Church. The event included discussion about bridging polarization, as well as a presentation on Eucharist by Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman.
Happy Birthday
Top, Sisters Mary E. Wendeln and Judy Niday with Teri Iverson, Jen Morin-Williamson and Sisters Paula Gero and Mary Faye Hellman at Light in the City; contributed photo. Second, Sister Martha Bertke (third from left) at the ribbon cutting for Good Samaritan Chapel; Premier Health photo. Third, Jen Morin-Williamson with Declare Community Fund grant winners; contributed photo.
Lunch & Learn with the Trotwood Fire Department
During an inspection visit at Salem Heights last spring, Trotwood Fire Marshal Jeffrey Hilvers inquired about bringing the Trotwood Fire Department on a monthly basis to have lunch with the Sisters at Salem Heights. Not only does this allow the fire department to have a better understanding of the building layout in the event of an emergency, but it also provides a time of collaboration and education for the firefighters and the Sisters of the Precious Blood.
Fire Marshal Jeffrey Hilvers and Chief Rick Haacke both have an extensive understanding of who the Sisters of the Precious Blood are and what the Sisters have done for the Trotwood community, but they wanted their younger men and women of the department to have that understanding as well. Lastly, this provides an opportunity for the Sisters to become more familiar and comfortable with those who may respond to an emergency in the building, or even respond to a call to help lift them off the floor if they have fallen.
Fire Marshal Jeffrey Hilvers was born and raised in a small town in northwestern Ohio called Ottoville. Sisters Helen Weber and Anna Maria Sanders at Salem Heights are also from Ottoville. Jeffrey was taught in school by Sister Helen’s sister and is very proud of his hometown. When he was at Salem Heights during an inspection, he was made aware that a Sister lived here at Salem Heights who was from this town. As
you can imagine, living in a small town means that you know everyone who lives in that town. Being very proud of his roots, Jeffrey made a point to locate Sister Helen during our first luncheon on August 13. Sister Anna Maria was able to join this luncheon with Sister Helen and Jeffrey during the luncheon on September 10, where they enjoyed conversation about Ottoville, among many other things over a nice meal. Chief Rick Haacke was previously employed by the Sisters of the Precious Blood back in the early 1980s in our Food Service Department. He worked alongside our former food service director, Brenda Gabbard, at one point and still remembers Salem Heights before any renovations, when over 100 Sisters lived in singledorm rooms. Can anyone guess where he ended up after that? If you guessed the Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center — right next door to Salem Heights — you are correct!
Knowing the layout of both buildings (Salem Heights and MJC), Rick was assigned to all emergency response calls that came over the radio for either building. He was beyond excited to reunite with Sister Eva and Sister Pat at our luncheon. At our most recent lunch on September 10, the Trotwood Fire Department gave the Sisters and staff at Salem Heights a tour and understanding of the fire truck and ambulance. This was suggested because during the August luncheon the question was asked, “Why does a fire truck usually respond first when there is an emergency, even when there is no fire?”
Rick worked over at MJC for about 10 years in their maintenance department. During his time there, Rick became quite familiar with Sisters Eva Roehrich and Pat Dieringer from their roles that they held at MJC at that time. After his employment with MJC, Rick completed the requirements to become a firefighter and began with the Trotwood Fire Department.
The answer was given that a fire truck possesses everything that an ambulance does and has all the same capabilities, EXCEPT to transport you to a medical care facility. Many of our Sisters and staff at Salem Heights did not know this. We have all thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the members of the Trotwood Fire Department and look forward to many lunch-and-learn opportunities in the future.
Story by Sheena McCormick; Laura Valentine photo
Guests create special bonds at Salem Heights
Last spring, Michael Vanderburgh, executive director at the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dayton District, reached out to the administration team here at Salem Heights — the Congregation’s central house in Dayton — about the possibility of hosting a group of missionary women during their visit to the Dayton area.
He indicated that there was a group of men and women, but the men would stay at another facility. With our close connection with SVDP and having the awareness of all of the services that they provide, our administration team at Salem Heights approved the visit with great enthusiasm.
Christ in the City is a Catholic Missionary apostolate church that serves St. Vincent shelters by sending men and women missionaries to minister to the SVDP staff and homeless guests. This setup occurs yearly and lasts for about three weeks.
A group of five missionary women from Christ in the City stayed at Salem Heights from May 17 to June 6, and it was
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sure that we stay true to our mission and vision: Founded on the spirituality of the Precious Blood, a life-giving and reconciling presence, our mission is to promote and accompany transformative processes for women through education and formation to achieve equality by changing the social structure. Our vision is to promote empowered women who reach their place
thoroughly enjoyed by both the Sisters and the young women. Nancy Reichert, the team leader of this group of women, was our primary contact for any questions. Her group of young adolescent missionaries dedicate a year of service to know, love and serve the homeless. Nancy shared that as missionaries, “we believe that the root of homelessness is a ruptured relationship, and we seek to heal that rupture through encountering the homeless and building a real friendship with them.”
Companionship is important to this group of adolescents, and it was asked if the men missionaries could visit in the evenings periodically to play cards with the women, or even just to chat. Tuesdays and Thursdays were offered to their group as days that they could come together to build their companionship and enjoy cards and games in the evening.
During their stay at Salem
in a society in gender equality. This ministry has made a huge difference in the lives of these young women and their families, and each year there is a long waiting list to get into the Center for Formation, which now can house 38 girls. Casa Sofía has beds for 13 students and two co-directors. Both are owned by the Association for Women of the
Heights, some of the women attended Mass in the Chapel with the Sisters on May 19. After being here at Salem Heights for a week, five missionary women and seven missionary men attended Mass and stayed for dinner on May 26. Many Sisters shared what a fun and exciting time that was for them. Prior to departing from Salem Heights, the Sisters and this group of women shared a delightful breakfast with one another. Sister Martha Bertke snapped pictures of the laughs, smiles and pure joy shared among everyone.
Story by Sheena McCormick
Precious Blood, and our first university student who graduated from USAC with a degree in social work, Sindy, is on the Association board.
So we are asking for your prayers that the Holy Spirit may lead and guide us to discern a way to maintain this ministry into the future to achieve the best possible outcome for our students.
Five missionary women from Christ in the City; Sister Martha Bertke photo.
4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426-2399
Ensuring the future of our archives
The Women’s Religious Archives Collaborative — of which the Sisters of the Precious Blood is a member — will establish a heritage center in Cleveland to preserve and celebrate the unique histories and contributions of 40 congregations of Catholic sisters. It will be the first independent heritage center in the country for women religious.
The WRAC Heritage Center plans to open in 2026. It will offer public programming, exhibitions and meeting space and will be a place for research and remembrance.
The 30,000-square-foot facility will be constructed on a 1.5-acre parcel of land at 2475 E. 22nd St. in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood. WRAC purchased the property from St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. The CSA congregation has had a presence in Cleveland since 1865, serving in many ministries including education and health care.
WRAC has secured archival and financial commitments from 35 congregations, and a capital campaign is underway to generate additional funding for the project.
“As members of Catholic sis-
ters’ congregations grow older and decline in number, hundreds of years of their histories are at risk of being lost,” said Ursuline Sister Susan Durkin, executive director of WRAC. “These women and their forebears have made immeasurable contributions to our communities and our nation, as leaders in spiritual formation, education, health care, social service and justice efforts. The need to preserve their archival collections and the histories they represent for future generations has become increasingly urgent.”
WRAC is a nonprofit organization launched in 2022 after five years of planning. It is a Catholicsisters-led effort committed to ensuring preservation of the sisters’ legacies. The group is working with Bostwick Design Partnership and Regency Construction. Sister Durkin said the facility will be a dynamic space that will be open to the public for research and programming, both in person and virtually. In addition to being a vibrant local presence, its central location and website presence will facilitate visits from scholars, researchers and genealogists throughout the country, she added.
This joint undertaking will honor the past accomplishments of women religious while also inspiring future generations to think, dream and serve in response to the needs and challenges of their time, Sister Durkin said. In addition to the Sisters of the Precious Blood, among the congregations whose archives will be cared for in perpetuity by WRAC are:
• Carmelite Sisters of Cleveland
• Loretto Community
• Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine
• Sisters of St. Francis
• Sisters of St. Francis (Clinton, Iowa)
• Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis
• Sisters of the Holy Spirit
• Sisters of the Humility of Mary
• Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament
• Ursuline Sisters of Cincinnati
• Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
• Ursuline Sisters of Louisville
• Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio
For more information, visit archivescollaborative.org.
Story by WRAC; updates provided by Sarah Aisenbrey