Sharing & Caring Spring 2019

Sharing & Caring Volume 29 Number 4 • Spring 2019 Sisters of the Precious Blood • Dayton, Ohio • www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org

Discerning the Call:

Vocation Ministry Today

From the President’s Desk

Vocation

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od calls each of us to fulfill the dream God has dreamed for us.

In the Scriptures, God called Abraham and Sarah to leave their homeland so they could be the beginning of a new nation. God called Isaiah and Jeremiah to be prophets even though the first claimed he could not speak and the second claimed he was too young. God called Mary to be the Mother of our Savior and she tested God by saying, “I know not man.”

God called Paul, and had to knock him off his proverbial horse, to stop persecuting the followers of Jesus and become one himself, spreading the Gospel to the Jewish and Gentile worlds. Although our call may not be dramatic but is rather that “still, small voice” (I Kings 19:12), God does call each of us to a way of life that fulfills who we can be in our best selves.

Years ago as part of a team which travelled to different high schools in a diocese to talk about vocations, especially to the priesthood and religious life, the dream analogy presented itself. In reflecting and praying about what I might say that could possibly make sense to teenagers, I was inspired to talk about how, when God created each one of us, God dreamed a dream of that person as God hoped each would become. And then God gave each of us the gifts that we would need to live out that dream. So if God dreamed of us as single, or married, or sister, brother or priest, we could be assured that we would have the gifts to live that life faith2

Sharing & Caring

fully and joyfully.

In the rest of this issue you will find some facts about vocations to consecrated life today. Historically God has always called individuals to different vocations to meet the needs of God’s people. Today, although we might think there is a “vocation crisis” because fewer women and men are entering consecrated life, this may in fact be the way God is calling all Christians to do those things that consecrated religious have traditionally done for the past 200 years.

One thing is sure, we can trust that God is calling whomever is needed to serve God’s people, the church and the world.

It is important for each of us to continue to listen to God’s “still, small voice” within us as we try faithfully to live our vocation daily. Being called is not a “one and done” kind of thing. It takes a daily recommitment as we face the changes, challenges and encounters that are part of our lives.

Times change, people change, the world around us changes, yet God’s call remains constant. It is by daily recommitting ourselves to that call that it is possible to remain faithful to a spouse, a community, the church, our commitment.

And speaking of changes, at the end of June the Sisters of the Precious Blood will gather to do the work of looking to our future and listening to how God is calling us to respond to the needs of this time in history. We will explore together the living out of our commitment as consecrated

religious in a world so much in need of Good News, of the New Life of the Resurrected Jesus and of the reconciliation that unites. One part of our gathering is the selection of new leadership for the Congregation — five women who will help all of us hold the vision and mission of who we are and who we hope to become.

With that selection I will be bidding adieu to the role of President and to the privilege of writing this column.

For eight years I have tried to find something meaningful to say and have found that God provides even when my poor brain feels there is nothing more to say. I thank all of you who read Sharing and Caring for letting us tell our story and for sharing our life with you. 

Sister Joyce Lehman President, Sisters of the Precious Blood

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xploring the topics of racism, white privilege and racial oppression, several Sisters of the Precious Blood traveled to St. Louis to attend the Justice Conference of Women Religious’ convocation in March of this year. The theme of the gathering was “Racism Through the Prism of Social Justice.”

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Patricia Chappell and Anne-Louise Nadeau of Pax Christi USA were the keynote presenters. Through presentation, role playing and the use of humor, they helped approximately 300 women and men from female religious congregations across the country understand the complexities of these topics.

Sisters Chappell and Nadeau defined racism as: Personal racial prejudice and the misuse of power by systems and institutions. Not surprisingly, racism has roots that run very deep. Unearthing the layers, its beginnings can be seen in the European Catholic Church in the 15th century. Pope Nicholas V’s Papal Bull of 1452, and its reiteration by Pope Callix-

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.

tus III in 1455, served as the basis of and justification for the Doctrine of Discovery — the seizure and colonization of indigenous lands, the global slave trade of the 15th and 16th centuries Colleen Kammer (middle) and Sisters (l-r) Marita Beumer, Ceil Taand the Age phorn, Jeanette Buehler and Mary E. Wendeln attend the national of Imperialconvocation of the Justice Conference of Women Religious in St. ism in the late Louis; contributed photo.

19th and early 20th centuries, during which Cory Collins, in a Teaching the United States exerted its Tolerance newsletter, says the political and economic forces term “white privilege” is often throughout the world. difficult for whites to accept The discrimination of people because they are not used to of color gave birth to internalbeing described or defined by ized racial superiority or white their race. It does not mean privilege, and internalized rathat white people have never cial oppression. Sisters Chappell worked for what they’ve and Nadeau gave the Crossachieved or that they have roads organization’s definition never struggled. It should be of white privilege as a complex, viewed as a built-in advanmulti-generational process that tage, separate from one’s level teaches white people to believe, of income or effort. accept and live out superior Racial oppression, as defined definitions of themselves and

by Crossroads, is a complex their roles in society. It is both unconscious and conscious.

Story by Colleen Kammer

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

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

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Progressive Printers Inc., Dayton, Ohio

Editorial Content Mary Knapke, Communications Assistant

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

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Spring 2019

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Peace, Justice & Ecology

Overcoming racial injustice in American society

Peace, Justice & Ecology

multi-generational process that teaches people of color to believe, accept and live out negative social definitions of themselves and their roles in society. As with white privilege, it is both unconscious and conscious.

Manifestations of white privilege include finding excuses, looking for explanations for behavior, becoming defensive, looking good, polite strategies and being experts on subjects or knowing the “right” way of doing things, such as “We ran hospitals and schools, therefore … ”.

Manifestations of internal racial oppression include harm to self-concept or self-esteem, e.g., “I must work harder, be better … ”, pitting people of color groups against each oth-

“deck has been stacked” against people of color. Besides slavery, which supported every system and institution in the country, there was the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the establishment Keynote presenters Sisters Anne-Louise Nadeau and Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN; Joellen Sbrissa, CSJ, photo. of residential Indian schools (1831-1969); post-emancipation Even today, discriminaBlack Codes of 1863, denying tory laws are still enacted. blacks citizenship and basic An example of this is the rights; the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court’s 2013 reverSupreme Court case of 1896, sal of a key provision of the which gave a “separate but 1993 Voter Registration Act. equal” designation for blacks This opened the way for disthat lasted until 1954 and was criminatory practices against the beginning minority voters. To counteract of the Jim discriminatory practices and “Racism is not really a race … it’s a Crow laws work toward an inclusive and mighty slow death walk for us all.” that lasted just society, transformational until 1965; values must be utilized, Sister er, such as African Americans Mexican Repatriation (1929Nadeau told the audience. and Africans, and never feel1939); and the Social Security There needs to be consensusing good enough. These things Act of 1935, which excluded based decision-making, collecdilute the power that people of domestic and agricultural tive and responsible relationcolor could have. workers — 25% of whom were ships and sharing of power. “If Racism is something that Hispanic and 75% were black. we operate from the position cripples all of us. It prevents In the 1940s there was the of the abundant worldview, us from living in right relainternment of Japanese Ameriit’s amazing how people find tionship with one another cans; the GI Bill of 1944, which the resources to do what is and from living up to our full denied one million black GIs, needed,” she said. potential. One of the presentawho also risked their lives in Pope Francis calls us to a tion slides at the convocation WWII, the benefits given to “culture of encounter” as a contained a photo of a conwhites upon returning from common goal, encouraging struction truck displaying a the war. Those benefits includpeople to be fearless in the sign that read, “Racism is not ed low-cost mortgages, lowways they look beyond themreally a race … it’s a mighty interest loans, free tuition and selves to the needs of others. slow death walk for us all.” unemployment compensation.

This means reaching out, As Sisters Chappell and Connected to the GI Bill, the building friendships beyond Nadeau reviewed past disFederal Housing Administraour circles and meeting people criminatory laws in the United tion (FHA) enacted policies on the peripheries.

States, one clearly understands to map out neighborhoods Our responsibility is to the numerous ways across according to skin color, otherthe generations in which the wise known as redlining.

— continued on Page 18 4

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n outbreak of 15 tornadoes, ranging in strengths of EF0 to EF4, struck the Dayton, Ohio, region in the waning hours of Memorial Day. The only EF4 tornado in the storm system created a half-mile-wide path of destruction from the Dayton suburbs of Brookville to Riverside for a distance of 20 miles. This tornado passed through Trotwood, just a half mile north of the Sisters’ Salem Heights retirement center and Precious Blood Parish.

Three other tornadoes also occurred in the same time frame in Celina, Ohio. This area is just miles from the Sisters’ original motherhouse in Maria Stein and from the Missionaries of the Precious Blood’s motherhouse in Carthegena, Ohio.

Though we are saddened that one person died in the Celina tornado, through the grace of God, there were no other lives lost in these devastating storms. And none of the properties of either congregation sustained significant damage.

Many of the Sisters at Salem Heights moved to other homes or hotels for a day or two because of the loss of power and water at the residence.

Once back home a few days after the storm, the Sisters of the Precious Blood assisted the great efforts of Precious Blood Parish and Mother Brunner School in providing relief to tornado victims in the neighborhood. For four days, the parish operated a drop-in cen-

ter. Residents could pick up toiletries, baby items, water and nonperishable food. There was a large and steady stream of donations from generous people who were not directly affected by the tornadoes.

Several Sisters and staff members, Mother Brunner teachers and students and Precious Blood parishioners assisted shoppers, lent a sympathetic ear, organized donations and volunteers and served a hot meal for hundreds of people. It was tiring work, but the Precious Blood communities met the challenge to serve those in need.

Most of the hardest hit neighborhoods are in some of the Miami Valley’s impoverished areas. The people living there will need ongoing support and prayers as they struggle to rebuild.

There have been tremendous numbers of volunteers helping in the affected neighborhoods thus far. The wider Dayton community has come together, which is Top, Karen Seitz, teacher at Mother Brunner School, cause for thanksgiving and Sister Jeanette Buehler. Middle, Jenna Legg, vocain and of itself. We ask tion ministry coordinator for Sisters of the Precious Blood and Shane Legg, coordinator of youth ministry for your prayerful supCatholic Communities of Northwest Dayton. Bottom, port for the victims and for Sister Jean René Hoying, Shelby Borchers from Artemis Center and Lea Gauthier from Brigid’s Path donated for relationships that three carloads of diapers and baby food. persist into the future, across racial and ecoStory and photos by Colleen Kammer nomic divides.  Spring 2019

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Peace, Justice & Ecology

Precious Blood congregations provide relief to victims of tornadoes

Ministry

Sister Anne Schulz retires

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n Saturday, May 18, family, friends, Precious Blood Sisters and the students and families of Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School gathered to honor Sister Anne Schulz as she retires from active ministry. The hall at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Liberty Township, Ohio, was filled with well-wishers at the event, which included a variety of speakers, a slide show presentation, and commendations and proclamations from local, state and national officials. Sister Anne also received gifts, memory books and a book containing notes written by every MTCES student.

All those who spoke at the event remarked on Sister Anne’s deep faith and her love for students and families. It was noted that as founding

principal of Mother Teresa School, Sister Anne has impacted over 1,000 students and families. The school was founded in 1998 with 20 kindergartners in a church basement; over 400 students have graduated, and 535 students are currently enrolled in grades K-8 on the school’s 25acre campus.

The impact of Sister Anne’s ministry reaches even further throughout her 44 years in education. She has served as a teacher or principal at schools in Dayton, Fairborn and Troy, Ohio, and served as vocation director for the Congregation.

Last year, MTCES was named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education — one of 300 public and 49 nonpublic schools nationwide to receive the honor.

Speaking to the audience at the retirement celebration, Sister Anne said that the growth and success of Mother Teresa School comes from “all of us together. Your response to me and my response to you has created this whole community of love. And that’s what I always treasure.”

She continued, “When you start a school, you never dream how it’s going to be.

But I’ve always had a dream of respect for everyone, and I’ve always said to the kids, give God five minutes a day.

And many of them have written to me and said how much that means to them. … I will always keep you in prayer, and you will always hold a special place in my heart.”  Story and photos by Mary Knapke

Left, Sister Anne Schulz (center) is joined at her retirement celebration by Sisters Regina Albers, Judy Niday, Mary Garke, Jeanette Buehler, Joan DeChristopher, Ceil Taphorn, Rosemary Goubeaux, Gerri McGeorge, Dolores Keller and Ann Clark. Sisters Marita Beumer and Mary E. Wendeln also attended. Right, Sister Anne gives a speech.

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Jubilee

Sisters honored at Salem Heights Jubilee celebration

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even Precious Blood Sisters who live at Salem Heights, or nearby, were honored at a Jubilee celebration on May 19. Sisters Charlene Heidenreich and Adeline Mertz celebrated 75 years of religious life, while Sisters Jeanette Buehler, Jeannine Kloeker, Nancy Raley, Theresa Rizzo and Ceil Taphorn each celebrated 60 years. Friends and family joined the jubilarians for a banquet, Mass and reception.

All Sisters in attendance also renewed their religious vows.

Presiding at Mass was Rev. James Dugal, CPPS, who served with many of the jubilarians at the retreat house in Maria Stein. During the homily, he reflected on the past, present and future.

In looking back over the past several decades, “we see changes in ourselves; we see changes in our communities; we see changes in the church

over the years; and certainly in our world, we see a lot of changes. A lot of things keep changing, but I think it’s important to stay positive and keep hope in your heart,” he said. “God continues to make all things new, in good ways.

We can live each day as a gift from God.” He continued, “We’re part of

something much larger than ourselves. Let’s thank God today for that great gift.”

The jubilarians also will be honored over the summer at a larger celebration which will include jubilarians living in other parts of the state.  Story by Mary Knapke; photos by Michelle Bodine

Top, Sisters Jeannine Kloeker, Theresa Rizzo, Jeanette Buehler, Nancy Raley, Ceil Taphorn, Adeline Mertz and Charlene Heidenreich sing during Mass; bottom left, Sister Nancy Raley gives a reading during Mass; bottom right, the Sisters celebrate at the banquet.

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Vocations

Si Diós quiere: Precious Blood Sisters host “Come and See” event in Guatemala

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n January 15, 2007, nine teenage girls from various areas of Guatemala began an adventure that would change their lives forever. A new school for Mayan girls, the dream of Sister Marifé Hellman, had become a reality and these young women were the first students.

The goal of Holy Mary of the Most Precious Blood School of Integral Formation for Church Leadership, funded by the Sisters of the Precious Blood and private donors and under the direction of Sister Marifé, was just what its title indicated — a place to train

young Mayan women for leadership in a church and society in which women were often not educated, so their voices were typically not heard. They would return to their rural villages after completing the equivalent of a high school education and become leaders in their communities.

The school is located in a peaceful, rural area about 45 minutes north of Guatemala City. In 2014, the school year began in a new building that would house up to 32 students. Some of the graduates wanted to continue their education at the free university

in Guatemala City, but had no place to live. Their families were hours from the city.

So in September 2015, Sisters Terry Walter and Joyce Kahle, who had lived in Guatemala previously, returned to Guatemala with the blessing and support of the Precious Blood Congregation and established Casa Sofia, a safe residence where the women live without cost while continuing their education. They have part-time jobs to cover their transportation and personal Story and photos by Sister Joyce Kahle

Left, from left, Sisters Marita Beumer, Ann Clark, Patty Kremer and one of the young women that attended a “Come and See” in February 2019 at Casa Sofia in Guatemala. Right, three of the young women that attended a “Come and See.”

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Sharing & Caring

Vocations

items while donations help with extras such as medical needs and computers. Currently there are nine students at Casa Sofia studying social work, education, nursing, theology and agronomy.

Casa Sofia is situated in a parish with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Some young women in Many people think the parthat God will solve the ish, along with difficult social, political some of and economic realities the stuin the country. “Si Diós dents in Casa quiere” — “if God Sofia, expressed wants it” — is a an intercommon expression. est in learning more about religious life. A “Come and See” day was held at the house in February 2019, with the theme “How to Listen to God’s Call to Religious Life.” This was the second such event at Casa Sofia, the first being in March 2017. Twelve young women participated and three Precious Blood Sisters visiting from Dayton helped to facilitate the day with sharing stories, prayer, activities and lunch. The women responded very positively to the day and some are continuing contact with Sisters Terry and Joyce.

Faith deeply marks Guatemalan society, above all through popular, traditional and conservative religiosity. Many people think that God will solve the difficult social, political and economic realities in the country.

“Si Diós quiere” — “if God wants it” — is a common expression. Most religious congregations here are conservative and want girls to enter right after high school so they can train them for their own ministries. The young women who came to our vocation day were mostly college students with more progressive thinking, and they seemed to appreciate the fact that the Precious Blood charism is based on a spirituality, not a particular ministry. Perhaps some of these women will want to be members someday — si Diós quiere! 

Overview of the Discernment & Formation Process Sisters of the Precious Blood

The formation process requires careful exploration, reflection and prayer from both the woman in discernment and our community. Each of these steps helps to deepen a relationship with God and the community.

Inquirer

A woman is discerning whether she feels called to religious life.

She speaks regularly with the vocation coordinator or a Sister guide and attends events with the Sisters while living in her own residence.

Discerner

A woman feels a strong call to religious life and is now discerning whether the Sisters of the Precious Blood is the appropriate congregation for her.

She attends events and formation meetings and participates in spiritual direction while living in the CPPS discernment house or her own residence.

Candidate/ Pre-Novitiate

Novice

Professed

A woman continues to learn about Precious Blood Spirituality, while actively preparing her application for Novitiate.

As a formally accepted member of the congregation, the woman lives in the community and studies theology and Precious Blood Spirituality.

A woman professes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to God with the Sisters of the Precious Blood. A woman lives full time in community and has a job.

After three to five years of temporary profession, she professes perpetual vows.

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Cover Story

Hearing I

n February, CARA — the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University — released its latest study showing the trends among those entering religious life in 2018. As vocation ministry coordinator for the Sisters of the Precious Blood, I find the results inspiring.

We already know that vocations are on the rise — CARA and the National Religious Vocation Conference have reported that there were 240 perpetual professions in the U.S. in 2018, a 76% increase from 2015.

Of those now entering religious life, a staggering 91% participated in at least one of the following: retreats, campus ministry, youth ministry, young adult group, service or mission trip, youth conference or volunteer program. Many of the young people who are active participants in their parish are committed to growing in their faith — and they earnestly seek to know God’s plan for their life.

I continue to work to reach young people interested in religious life and share with Story by Jenna Legg

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Sharing & Caring

On the cover, Jenna Legg speaks with students at the Carroll High School Vocation Fair; contributed photo. Top, the monthly women‘s faith sharing dinner at Amherst House with Sister Paula Gero, Jenna Legg and Sister Marita Beumer; Mary Knapke photo. Bottom, the Precious Blood Communities display at the SEEK conference; Jenna Legg photo.

Cover Story

the call

Vocation Ministry: by the numbers VISIBLE — number of times our virtual content appeared on someone’s screen REACH — number of people who know our name and/or have our information CONTACTS — number of people who have given us their contact information DISCUSSION — number of people we’ve had 1-1 conversations with about their vocation

VISIBLE

impressions 248,259

engagements 6,551

REACH

CONTACTS 1,032 DISCUSSION

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Data is from July 1, 2018 � April 30, 2019; some forms of social media estimate data and Instagram’s data is currently unattainable.

them the mission and spirituality of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Much outreach today happens through email and social media, but I have also attended a number of conferences and small groups, connecting with young people in person and meeting them where they are.

Fifteen students participated in the discernment group I con-

ducted at the University of Cincinnati, where I gave them tools they can use in discerning any decision or life choice. Likewise, our faith sharing dinners, held monthly at Amherst House, aim at spreading Precious Blood Spirituality and offering a faith community for women.

The graphics included provide additional information about trends among young

people today, illustrate some of my activities and provide an overview of our formation process. Please continue to pray that, in the words of Archbishop Dennis Schnurr’s vocations prayer, God will grant us — and young people in particular — the grace to know the path He has planned for us in this life, and to respond with a generous “Yes.”  Spring 2019

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Cover Story

MEN & WOMEN ENTERING RELIGIOUS LIFE IN 2018 75%

WERE BORN IN THE UNITED STATES

90%

HAVE BEEN CATHOLIC SINCE BIRTH

66%

GOT TO KNOW A RELIGIOUS NOT IN THEIR FAMILY

ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO ENTRANCE 71%

have an undergraduate degree

70%

parish liturgical ministry

50%

Catholic elementary school

AGE

19

28

38

AVERAGE AGE AVERAGE AGE OF FIRST CONSIDERED THOSE ENTERING

AVERAGE AGE AT FINAL VOWS

CONSIDERING A VOCATION

2x Top, Sister Maryann Bremke speaks with a student at the Carroll High School Vocation Fair; Jenna Legg photo. Bottom, Sister Ann Clark and Jenna Legg at the SEEK conference; contributed photo.

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Sharing & Caring

Twice as likely to consider a vocation when encouraged by another person

RESEARCH COURTESY OF NRVC AND CARA

5x

Five times as likely to consider a vocation if encouraged by three or more people

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he Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has awarded two sets of scholarships this year under the new Sister Alice Schoettelkotte Scholarship program.

The first recipients received awards in January. Lucy Gales is director of health information management at MJC and is working toward a degree to become a licensed nursing home administrator. Brandy Martin is a nurse at MJC and is continuing coursework in her field.

The scholarship committee includes Sarah Maddix, assistant administrator at MJC; Tracye Martin, assistant direc-

tor of nursing; and Sister Alice, who has served as an employee and volunteer at Maria Joseph for nearly 40 years.

Last year, the scholarship program was created in Sister Alice’s name to provide grants to local high school students and current employees of the health care facility.

Scholarship applicants must have good work attendance and a good disciplinary history, must show college acceptance and enrollment in a college course; must provide college tuition and fee information; and must submit the application with two letters of recommendation. 

News

Maria Joseph Center awards scholarships

Members of the Sister Alice Scholarship Committee and the first two employees who received funds to help cover course work. Left to right, Tracye Martin, assistant director of nursing; recipient Lucy Gales, director of HIMS (medical records); recipient Brandy Martin, Emma 3 nurse; Sarah Maddix, assistant administrator at Maria-Joseph; Nick Anderson, MariaJoseph administrator; seated, Sister Alice Schoettelkotte, spiritual care volunteer; contributed photo.

Sister Berenice enjoys a visit from former students

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n May, several of Sister Berenice (M. Edward) Janszen’s former students paid her a visit at Salem Heights.

One of her visitors, Cindy Felver, writes: Collectively, we were students of Sister Berenice during the years of 1967 - 1970. She directed two plays during our tenure at Immaculate Conception High School in Celina, Ohio. All of us in the group photo were in one or both of those productions, The King and I and My Fair Lady. She also directed Fiddler on the Roof after our classes graduated.

ICHS closed its doors in the spring of 1972.

Sister Berenice was a fantastic director who brought

music and culture into a small rural town surrounded by cornfields.

We credit Sister B. with helping us to develop a love of the performing arts, music and also literature, as she was a superb English and compo- Back row (l-r), Rita Bueltel King, George (Ike) Coate, Mike Steinke, Jim Mary Moore Steinke; front row (l-r), Kathy Marbaugh Coate, Sister sition teach- Mott, Berenice Janszen, Cindy MacDonald Felver; Michelle Bodine photo. er. We feel thrilled to have reconnected lucky to have with her.  been her students, and we are Spring 2019

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In Brief

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

March 9 — The annual memorial prayer service for homicide victims was held at Salem Heights in memory of people killed in Dayton and Trotwood over the past year. This annual service brings together those who support the vigils which are held on Saturdays throughout the year where homicides have occurred.

This year, 45 people were remembered, ranging in age from 17 to 75. About 30 people attended, including Precious Blood Sisters, area church leaders and vigil attendees and supporters, as well as Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck. Pastor Jennifer Scarr of the Trotwood Church of the Brethren offered a reflection (see Page 16).

March 16 — Thirteen priests and religious from the McCartyville and St. Patrick, Ohio, area were invited to serve as grand marshals for the 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration in McCartyville. Among the marshals were Precious Blood Sisters Jene Rene Hoying, Ann Catherine Lehmkuhl and Linda Pleiman, as well as Precious Blood Missionaries Vince Hoying and Ken Pleiman.

March 16 — The Sisters of the Precious Blood received the Sister Jean Foppe, RSM, Visionary Award from Mercy Manor in honor of our longtime support of the organization. Precious Blood Sister Ceil Taphorn accepted the award on behalf of the Congregation at the organization’s 27th Annual Founders Day Luncheon.

Mercy Manor is a social services organization in Dayton that provides women with alcohol and drug addiction recovery assistance.

March 25-27 — Several Sisters attended the convocation in St. Louis, Racism Through the Prism of Social Justice, sponsored by the Justice Conference of Women Religious. Speakers from Pax Christi USA and the Catholic lobby group Network gave some of the presentations.

April 3 — The Sisters of the Precious Blood recognized employees at the annual service awards ceremony with a special luncheon at Salem Heights. Employees celebrating milestone anniversaries of service are Nancy Wilson, senior accountant, 30 years; Michelle Bodine, communications coordinator, 10 years; John Buehler, musician, 10 years; Brian Donchez, maintenance, Top, Tom Bensman and Sister Marita Beumer read a list of homicide victims at the annual memorial prayer service for homicide victims; Mary Knapke photo. Second, Sister Linda Pleiman and Father Ken Pleiman at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in McCartyville; third, Sisters Judy Niday, Regina Albers, Ceil Taphorn, Joan DeChristpher, Pat Will and candidate Mi-Kyoung Hwang at Mercy Manor; contributed photos. Fourth, John Buehler, Nancy Wilson, Brian Donchez, Michelle Bodine and Mark Reno at the annual service awards ceremony; Mary Knapke photo.

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Sharing & Caring

In Brief

10 years; Mark Reno, kitchen staff, five years.

April 19 — Good Friday walk for justice, Dayton. Eleven Sisters were among the approximately 75 people who walked through the streets of downtown Dayton on Good Friday. The group stopped and prayed at 14 symbolic stations of the cross that call attention to modern day injustices.

April 30 — Prayer service for Creation. Twenty-eight Sisters participated in this prayer service at Salem Heights chapel.

May 4 — “Unpacking Racial Power and Privilege.” Several Sisters attended this workshop which used Tim Wise’s documentary White Like Me, at Corpus Christi Parish in Dayton. The gathering was organized by the Weavers of Justice anti-racism task force, part of the Dayton Catholic Social Action office.

May 21 — One Sister and a staff member represented the Congregation at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Ohio Legislative Advocacy Day in Columbus. They met with the senator and representative for Salem Heights and heard other legislators speak.

The event was sponsored by the Archdiocese and the Catholic Conference of Ohio.

May 23 — Congratulations to Sister Mumbi Kigutha! She graduated from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, with a Certificate in Pastoral Studies and a Master of Arts in Justice Ministry. The graduation ceremony was held at KAM Isaiah Israel Synagogue in Chicago. Her academic adviser was Robert Schreiter, CPPS. May 23-26 — Several Sisters and Precious Blood priests attended peaceful events organized in response to the May 25 Ku Klux Klan rally in Dayton. They included: Presentation by Dr. Bill Trollinger from the University of Dayton on the Klan’s history in Dayton; Eucharistic Adoration led by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood at St. Joseph Church; An Afternoon of Love, Unity and Inclusion at McIntosh Park; and Cleansing of the Square, a ritual cleansing where the KKK rally took place.

June 24-July 1 — Sisters gathered at Bergamo Center for their quadrennial Assembly, which sets directives for the next four years and elects a new leadership team. The Assembly was livestreamed at Salem Heights for those who could not be present in person.

Top, Sisters attend the Good Friday Walk. Top row, Sister Jeanette Buehler and Alice Schoettelkotte; bottom row, Colleen Kammer, Sisters Judy Niday, Rosemary Goubeaux, Ceil Taphorn, Paula Gero, Madonna Ratermann, candidate Mi-Kyoung Hwang, Sisters Joyce Kahle, Patty Kremer and Marita Beumer; contributed photo. Second, Sister Mumbi Kigutha and Father Robert Schreiter, CPPS; contributed photo. Third, Sister Ceil Taphorn attended Legislative Advocacy Day; Colleen Kammer photo. Fourth, Cleansing of the Square; Sister Judy Niday photo.

Spring 2019

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News

Cultivating kindness in the shadow of death Pastor Jennifer Scarr of the Trotwood Church of the Brethren offered a reflection at the annual memorial prayer service for homicide victims, exploring the meaning and value of going to the streets to pray for the victims of violence.

She opened by reading the Scripture story of the woman with the alabaster jar (Matthew 26:6-13).

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he 26th chapter which I’ve just read from in the Gospel of Matthew locates us firmly in the valley of the shadow of death. Just before this Scripture, Jesus once again, and for the final time, told his disciples that he was going to be killed. Jesus walks the streets of Jerusalem during the final week of his life with a price on his head.

With this understanding, I am reminded just how close to the heart of Jesus are those who have walked that path with Him. The path of the life taken unjustly, heartbreakingly, too soon. I find that I am grateful that Jesus understands what this is like. The threat of oncoming death moves like a cloud over the next two chapters of Matthew, and so it is present when Jesus rests in the home of Simon the leper.

It is present when this nameless woman walks boldly into Simon’s home and gently, kindly anoints Jesus with this costly oil. Oil that could have been sold to care for dozens of poor, as the disciples are quick to point out. But she chose to use it for this purpose instead. For a different form of 16

Sharing & Caring

kindness. The disciples have a hard time understanding this. Perhaps they are too distracted by the threats, too distracted by the death Jesus says is coming.

However, Jesus understands.

Participants of the annual memorial prayer service for homicide He is moved by victims; Mary Knapke photo. the actions of difference. If it’s worth standthis nameless woman and he ing on another street corner for tells the disciples not to bother another prayer about another her, because she has done person killed. Does it really good. She has prepared him make any difference? Maybe for burial. Without a word, my time and energy are better this woman offered Jesus spent somewhere else. a priceless kindness in the But like the oil that could shadow of death. She saw him. have been sold to the dozens She anointed him. She was his of people who were poor but witness. was instead used for kind More Saturdays than any ness in the shadow of death, of us would like, a group of so is that precious hour on too us stand on the streets. On many Saturdays — that could curbsides. In front yards. In be spent on a number of other parking lots. In abandoned beautiful and good things lots or alleyways. In the valbut is instead used to witness ley of the shadow of death. for compassion and kindness This past year we have stood in the shadow of death. By in that valley bearing witness choice. Your choice. to the passing of 45 lives taken And on my best days, I by violence. We prayed. We believe it’s worth it. I believe, sang. We created space for as Jesus knew, that we are all memory and story. We held connected, and so each one is space for families to share worth being witnessed. Each about the loved ones they and every one. Not just their knew, whom they will always deaths, as tragic as they are, but carry in their hearts. We, along also their lives. For me, some of with the friends and family of the most beautiful moments at the fallen, anointed the streets those vigils are when families with our presence. share the people they knew.

Perhaps if you’re like me, When the person we’re rememyou’ve wondered from time to time if all this prayer and sing— continued on Page 17 ing and showing up makes a

News

Cemetery renovations Over the past few months, steady progress between the raindrops has been made in the face-lift of our CPPS cemetery. The workers are moving into the final stage which includes a pergola and a bubbling rock fountain. Next time you visit you may want to bring a book to read or perhaps a friend to share a conversation in the peace of this sacred ground.

Top left, the cemetery as it looked in the fall of 2016. The shrubs that bordered the perimeter of the cemetery have now been removed. Top right, the old blacktopped walkways were dug up and new concrete walkways were installed. Bottom left, the concrete strip was dug up for a new walkway and garden. Bottom right, the new pergola connects to the walkway; the bubbling rock fountain is on the other side of the pergola. Michelle Bodine photos

— continued from Page 16

bering becomes more than a statistic, but a human. And we witness how they loved. And how they were loved. We witness the complexities and the decisions that formed each one.

We witness how the divine was present at each moment, joyful or tragic. And we witness how urgently the systems that made these deaths possible needs to change.

Brothers and sisters, be encouraged. Continue to walk humbly and boldly onto the streets, the curbsides, in the alleyways and empty lots. Anoint these places — these people — with your prayers, your songs and your presence. I believe it makes a difference. Bring with you warmth, compassion, empathy and ears to listen.

Bring that of God with you that

acknowledges that of God in others. And then, like the nameless woman who anointed Jesus when he needed it most, you will cultivate kindness in the shadow of death. And it will be good. You will cultivate it persistently and relentlessly, until the day when the need for these vigils vanishes. Until the day when all will be God’s people in justice, love and peace. Amen.  Spring 2019

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News

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery comes to the Sisters

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o celebrate National Zoo and Aquarium Month, Precious Blood Sisters enjoyed a visit from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. From top, clockwise: Sister Charlene Heidenreich touches a Madagascar hissing cockroach; Sister Rosemary Goubeaux pets a ball python; Sister Verlina Mescher pets a pygmy hedgehog; and Sister Lou Ann Roof touches a desert turtle. Jenna Legg photos.

— continued from Page 4

become informed about racial injustice, and not to disengage from it because of discomfort.

Sister Nadeau said our goal

should be to move beyond the status quo, acknowledging our wrongdoings with humility and love, listening to how the

Spirit is calling us to act and then maintaining a proclivity toward action, toward always moving the mission forward. 

Happy Birthday In each issue of Sharing & Caring we recognize the birthdays of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Congratulations to the Sisters celebrating spring and summer birthdays.

JUNE

7 9 17 19 19 23 23 25 30

Joanne Belloli Theresa Walter Ann Catherine Lehmkuhl Marifé Hellman Mary E. Wendeln Charlene Ann Heidenreich Adeline Mertz Joan DeChristopher Joyce Lehman

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2 2 3 4 8 9 14 16 22 22 24 27

JULY

Mary Garascia Rita Manriquez Patricia Ann Dieringer Barbara Jean Backs Marla Gipson Elizabeth Jane Westgerdes Nancy Wolf Laura Will Dolores Keller Judy Niday Helen Weber Joyce Langhals

9 10 13 13 21 24 30 31

AUGUST

Noreen Jutte Jeannine Kloeker Edna Hess Margo Young Jeanette Buehler Judy Kroeger Ann Clark Joyce Kahle

October 1922 — March 28, 2019

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esurrection liturgy for Precious Blood Sister Rosalie Kastner was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on Monday, April 1. Sister died in Dayton on Thursday, March 28. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 81 years.

The daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Planner) Kastner was born in Dayton, Ohio and given the name Theresa. She was the third oldest of their four daughters. She also was the stepdaughter of Paul Brechtel. On August 15, 1937, Theresa entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood and received the religious name of Sister M. Rosalie.

Sister Rosalie taught 46 years in elementary

schools in Arizona, California, and mostly in Ohio. She left a lasting impression as a fine teacher and a caring, thoughtful person. During her early years in retirement, she volunteered as teacher aide and in other ministries. She was still spunky and full of life in her later years.

She retired to Salem Heights in 2009. With increasing health problems Sister moved to Maria-Joseph nursing center and later died on March 28, 2019.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her sisters: Helen Kastner, Irene Schommer and Lucille Fischer. She is survived by her Precious Blood Sisters and her nieces and nephews.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

Sister Bernice Krieg August 1918 — May 5, 2019

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esurrection liturgy for Precious Blood Sister Bernice Krieg was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on Wednesday, May 8.

Sister died on Sunday, May 5, 2019. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 85 years.

The daughter of Sebastian and Mary (Laux) Krieg was born in Fort Recovery, Ohio. She was the oldest of their four children. On August 10, 1933, Bernice entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood and received the religious name of Sister M. Erwin. Later on, she returned to her baptismal name.

Sister Bernice was an educator for 43 years, having taught in elementary schools and high schools in Ohio at Columbus Grove, Miamisburg, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Celina, Maria Stein, Wapakoneta, Russia and the Dayton area. She

In Sympathy Sister Martha Bertke on the death of her brother, Lewis Bertke, on April 17.

also taught in Indiana at Fort Wayne. She loved teaching and was learned and competent; she enriched the lives of many students.

In 1983, she retired and volunteered as postmistress for thirteen years at the Maria-Joseph Center (MJC) and later did volunteer services at Precious Blood Parish. She was a resident of the Sisters retirement home in Dayton, Ohio and, when she experienced increasing health problems, moved in 2018 to MJC. In her later years of retirement, she spent much time in her room just comfortably chatting with her God. This closeness to God culminated in His calling her home with open arms.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her brother, Lionel, and her sister Matilda. She is survived by her Precious Blood Sisters, her brother Wilfred and her nieces and nephews.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

Sister Florece Seifert on the death of her brother-in-law, Bob Shack, on April 24.

Sister Barbara Jean Backs on the death of her sister, Dolores

Sowar, on June 1.

Sister Mary Ellen Lampe on the death of her sister, Georgia Seifart, on June 6.

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In Memoriam

Sister Rosalie Kastner

4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426-2399

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

Mother Teresa students bring Easter baskets

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other Teresa Catholic Elementary School students from the Random Acts of Kindness Club, or RAK, visited the Sisters on April 12, bringing with them beautiful Easter baskets filled with goodies for each Sister living at Salem Heights. They also brought with them a painting with thumbprints from the entire RAK Club, which is made up of 80 members from 2nd to 6th grade. The students played bingo with the Sisters, gave them flowers and sang Easter songs for them.  Top row, Sisters Eva Roehrich, Genny Volk; second row, Sisters Regina Albers, Angeline Hoffman; third row, Sister Joan DeChristopher, one of the Easter baskets given to the Sisters and a painting created by the entire RAK club for the Sisters. Michelle Bodine photos

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