Sharing & Caring Spring 2022

Sharing & Caring Volume 32 Number 3 • Spring 2022 Sisters of the Precious Blood • Dayton, Ohio • www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org

The ways we pray

From the President’s Desk

Dear friends and family,

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s we celebrate this Easter season, I wish each and every one of you the blessings and joy that come from walking with Jesus during Lent, Holy Week and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Probably for most of us, Holy Week had a special significance this year as we listened to the news about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the killing of innocent women, men and children, and thousands of Ukrainian people seeking refuge in nearby countries. Whose heart could not go out to these suffering people! They are part of the suffering Christ today.

In this issue of Sharing & Caring, some of our Sisters share their prayers or insights on prayer. Our foundress, Mother Maria Anna Brunner, was a woman of prayer. She lived in

What about our prayer? Is it just about God and myself or Jesus and myself? Does our prayer lead us to be more compassionate? Does it lead us to be more concerned about what is happening in our world? In the Our Father, we pray that God’s Kingdom come, God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and we ask God to forgive us as we forgive those who have offended us.

Jesus taught us this prayer not only so that we would ask for God’s Kingdom to come and for His will to be done here on earth — he is also inviting us to create God’s rule here on earth and to do it out of a discerning heart that discovers what God’s will is for ourselves, family and friends, our country and our planet. With so much intolerance, racism, division and violence in our world, we are asked to for-

With so much intolerance, racism, division and violence in our world, we are asked to forgive, to be compassionate and to work for healing — just as God is so forgiving, compassionate and healing for us.

— Sister Edna Hess a time of political conflict and social evils, which she brought to the Lord in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Her prayer led her to be concerned about others and to help others. She fed the hungry who came to her door, and she never left home without bread in her bag to share with hungry persons along the way.

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give, to be compassionate and to work for healing — just as God is so forgiving, compassionate and healing for us.

“God is my heaven here below. I live with him. Even when I am walking, we speak together without being interrupted by anyone. If you would know him enough, you would love him. If you would

stay with him for one hour, you would know heaven on earth,” writes St. Teresa of the Andes.

“Only God can satisfy us. He is truth and unchangeable good.

He is eternal love.” Canonized in 1993, St. Teresa was the first saint from Chile, where Sisters of the Precious Blood have ministered for six decades.

What if, like St. Teresa — and all the saints who have gone before her, and those who are yet to come — all of us would take more time to contemplate and reflect on Jesus’ words and actions? Our words and actions flowing from this time of prayer would lead us to be a more faithful image of Jesus in relation to others and to our common home. There would be more love, peace, compassion, understanding, forgiveness and healing in this world we live in today.  United in prayer,

Sister Edna Hess President, Sisters of the Precious Blood

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n a joyful ceremony full of color, music, light and love, Sister Mumbi Kigutha professed final vows on April 23 in the Salem Heights chapel at our central house in Dayton.

Several of Sister Mumbi’s family and friends attended the ceremony and celebrations, as did Sisters from across the U.S. and Guatemala. Readings and songs were conducted in Kikuyu and Swahili as well as English, and a choir in Kenya

Vocations

Shangilieni nami — Rejoice With Me! was able to participate in the liturgy virtually.

Sister Mumbi grew up in Njoro, a small town in Kenya, where her mother was a professor at Egerton University and her father worked as a doctor. She professed first vows with the Sisters of the Precious Blood in 2018 and serves as a reconciliation consultant for organizations such as Jesuit Refugee Services.  Story by Mary Knapke

Clockwise from top right, Sister Mumbi requests to Sister Edna Hess to make her perpetual profession as a Sister of the Precious Blood; Felista Tsuut, Pauline Siesegh, Sister Juliana Wuur, Sister Mumbi and Shela Calixte dance to the Thanksgiving Song (Swahili), Jina Maria Ni Jina Tukufu (Mary's Name is Holy); Father Denny Kinderman, CPPS, gives the final blessing. Michelle Bodine photos.

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.

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

phone: (937) 715-9580 email: mbodine@cppsadmin.org

Layout and Design Michelle Bodine, Communications Coordinator

Progressive Printers Inc., Dayton, Ohio

Editorial Content Mary Knapke, Communications Assistant

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

Printing

PRINTED WITH SOY INK ON RECYCLED PAPER

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

Spring 2022

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Vocations

Calling creative and courageous women

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ver the last two decades, many religious communities have undergone intense discernment about their future. The number of women in religious life is drastically different than it was a century ago and thus communities have been exploring what these consequences might mean for the future of religious life.

In a *very* basic summary, communities have discerned one of three options: 1. Completion or Fulfillment — Some congregations have decided not to accept new members. Reasons include discernment that their mission has been fulfilled or is being fulfilled by others or other practical, financial or social reasons.

2. Merge or Forming of a New Community — Some communities have collaborated with others of a similar charism, founder or mission to form a new or larger community. In this way, they can share resources and receive the benefits of global membership.

3. Moving Forward — Still other communities are moving forward, accepting new members to their communities. They may be employing the same methods or exploring new ways of living religious life.

The Sisters of the Precious Blood are moving forward.

A long discernment process culminated in the 2015 As4

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sembly in which the Sisters of the Precious Blood explicitly discerned to be open to vocations. A directive stated, “Recognizing the relevancy of our Precious Blood Spirituality for today’s world: we choose to continue vocation ministry with emphasis on inter-cultural possibilities.”

In other words, we see a deep need for the Precious Blood in today’s world. The Precious Blood of Jesus was shed to unite us with one another, with God and with the world. So a world separated by so many things (politics, race, violence, poverty and more) is in desperate need of those who are to be a reconciling, life-giving presence.

Since pledging to be open to new members, and explicitly stating we are open to women of other cultures, we have seen an increase in women interested in and entering our community. To date, we have 11 women in formation with the Sisters, and nine of the 11 are Black, indigenous and/or persons of color. It certainly appears the Holy Spirit is continuing to affirm our discernment.

What this means for the future of religious life is only known to the Holy Spirit. Together, newer and established members of the Sisters of the Precious Blood are co-creating with God what a new way of religious life will look like. It is certainly a daunting task, but one full of possibilities. It requires women of faith, courage and creativity. So, if the Holy Spirit is nudging you to do

something wild and risky with your life, consider religious life. I’d love to talk with you!

I leave you with a popular prayer or poem, often attributed to Oscar Romero, but actually written by Father Ken Untener.

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.

We plant the seeds that one — continued on Page 9 Story by Jenna Legg

Archives

Inside the CPPS Archives Prayers from the past

This column showcases artifacts or documents from the CPPS Archives in each issue of Sharing & Caring.

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n 1889, the Sisters’ Constitution noted a “Daily Program for Mission Houses.”

This schedule is a modified version for the Sisters who lived away from the Motherhouse in Maria Stein and other larger convents, such as the Sisters in Tennessee or Arizona. Because there were fewer Sisters at these Mission Houses, their prayer schedule started later and included ways to pray individually if praying together was impossible due to when the Sisters ministered. In general, the Sisters rose at 5 a.m. and had prayers in common, including the Angelus, a Morning Prayer, the Litany of the Name of Jesus, the Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood, and the Little Chaplet of the Precious Blood. After their morning work, they engaged in the Examination of Conscience (then called Particular Examen).

After lunch, they said a Rosary, the Litany of the Name of Jesus, and the Office of the Immaculate Conception. Then supper and recreation, time for study, evening prayer and bedtime.

This regimented prayer schedule was not the only way the Sisters prayed at the turn of the 20th century. In the early 1900s, Mother Emma Nunlist was the president of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Her job was not easy; she oversaw the convents in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and

Arizona, making sure Sisters had their needs met in their ministries of teaching, nursing, missionary work, housekeeping, cooking, caring for orphans and more.

But she knew she was appreciated because the Sisters prayed for her often.

She received this prayer from the Sisters at the convent in copy of 1889 Constitution detailing “Daily Program for Mission Thompson, Top, Houses.” Bottom, prayer for Mother Emma from the Sisters at the convent in Thompson (Bellevue), Ohio, ca. 1900.

Ohio (now Bellevue), written in German.

The prayer speaks of pluckSisters’ spiritual lives. These ing a heavenly bouquet for traditions continue today with Mother Emma made of “crimprayer services, Exposition of son roses and lilies, equal in the Blessed Sacrament, daily number,” as well as making Mass, and the modification “Mary’s roses into a bouquet of the early prayers such as of wisdom.” The prayer says, a version of the Seven Offerwe “write our love to you in ings of the Precious Blood for the Heavenly Mother’s praise: timely world events such as a we pray rosaries diligently national election.  for you four times seven and thirty.”

Formal and informal ways of Story by Sarah Aisenbrey; photos from the CPPS Archives collection. praying were essential to the Spring 2022

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Peace, Justice & Ecology

Reflection on the Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood of Jesus through the lens of ecological justice

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n Scripture, there are seven instances when Jesus sheds His Precious Blood. In each of these circumstances, Jesus is giving of himself in place of us, once again uniting God and humanity to right relationship.

As I have joined the Sisters of the Precious Blood as peace, justice and ecology coordinator, I’ve been learning more about Precious Blood spirituality. So, I reflected on the Seven Offerings and how they relate to the environment, and I wrote a prayer. (See below.)

Now, it’s your turn! I’m inviting you to give it a try. If it helps, I have a step-by-step process that is not very complicated.

1. Read each of the Seven Offerings (and the referenced Scripture, if you would like). ♦ His circumcision: Luke 2:21-24 ♦ Sweating blood in the garden: Luke 22:39-46 ♦ Scourging at the pillar: John 19:1 ♦ Crowning of thorns: Mark 15:17 ♦ Carrying of the cross: John 19:16-17 ♦ His crucifixion: Mark 15:20 ♦ The spear into his side: John 19:31-35 2. Reflect on what ecological or justice issue comes to your mind when you think about that instance. Is there a situation or person or groups of people who are suffering that connects to that instance of blood offering?

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3. Jot these ideas down. Don’t worry about wording.

4. Close your eyes and listen for the Spirit moving. Do this for as long as you are comfortable.

5. Open your eyes and reread your ideas.

6. As you see your notes, consider how you would like to address God at the beginning of your prayer. It’s OK to think outside the normal names for God if that is helpful.

7. This time, edit your ideas into sentences.

8. Write them down on a clean sheet of paper.

9. Lastly, read this prayer out loud.

10. Amen!

I would love to gather up these prayers to share them with others. So, if you are willing, please mail or email them to me.

Creator Spirit, We are so grateful for our Earth. In Your vast and merciful way, You have provided a world that is incomprehensibly complex and yet in many ways, profoundly simple in its beauty.

Jesus, You were born into a culture that marked belonging with blood. At Your circumci-

Artwork by Sister Regina, ASC.

sion, You began your mission connecting humanity, joining ancestors with descendants as one family, as one in Your body.

Please motivate our actions toward being responsive to caring for the world as our parents did with special responsibility toward the future for our children and children’s children.

Jesus, at Your passion, You felt the enormity of doing God’s will through immense suffering. Your sweat became Your actual blood. Please encourage us to respond to the many needs of our wounded planet even when we feel overwhelmed. Guide our efforts.

Jesus, Your body was ripped apart as You were scourged. As Your body was beautifully and wonderfully made, Your blood came rushing to cleanse the Story by Jen Morin-Williamson

from powering personal vehicles to manufacturing goods.

Please help us move toward renewable energy, even taking small steps like driving our cars less and consuming less.

Jesus, Your body was immobilized as your hands and feet were nailed into the cross. You were completely and utterly vulnerable. Please be a model for those in our society who are most affected by the denigration of our environment — the poor and those on the margins. They often feel that they have also been rendered paralyzed by a damaged environment.

Jesus, even after death, You offered Your blood mixed with water, pouring out with the thrust of a spear. Please forgive us when we let our taps run continuously while we do dishes and when we drink a half a plastic bottle of water and then just throw the rest away — with the bottle. Please help us recognize the importance of clean, free-flowing

Peace, Justice & Ecology

wounds. Please forgive us for scourging our environment, decimating rainforests with deforestation, overfishing oceans which upsets ecosystems, introducing invasive species which choke out native plants, and extensive use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers which poison the soil.

Jesus, the soldiers corrupted the natural defense of a plant by weaving a crown of thorns in order to taunt and torture You. Our ecosystems are also being twisted and our natural climate is changing in response. Please help us live more simply, to reduce our consumption, to make do with what we have, to only buy what we really need, to reuse items, to recycle and compost what we can.

Jesus, the cross upon Your beaten body caused even more pain and blood. While You experienced that immense weight, we are crushed by the weight of air — the exorbitant dependence on fossil fuels

Crabtree at the CPPS Administrative Office; Sister Edna Hess photo.

water for all life.

Jesus, may we be committed to be personally reflective and to make small but incremental steps toward being better stewards of Your abundant Earth.

Jesus, may we be encouraged to be collectively reflective and to make large and increasing steps toward being better stewards of Your abundant Earth.

Amen. 

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.

3 6 11 20 22 22 23 23 4

MAY

Mumbi Kigutha Deb Huss Thelma Wurzelbacher Arlene Hirsch Lou Ann Roof Benita Volk Mary Ellen Lampe Nancy Recker

JUNE

Juliana Wuur

7 9 19 19 23 25 30 2 2 3

Joanne Belloli Theresa Walter Marifé Hellman Mary E. Wendeln Charlene Heidenreich Joan DeChristopher Joyce Lehman

JULY

Mary Garascia Rita Manriquez Patricia Dieringer

8 9 14 16 22 22 24 27

Marla Gipson Elizabeth Westgerdes Nancy Wolf Laura Will Dolores Keller Judy Niday Helen Weber Joyce Langhals

AUGUST

9 Noreen Jutte 13 Edna Hess 13 Margo Young 21 Jeanette Buehler 24 Judy Kroeger 30 Ann Clark 31 Joyce Kahle Spring 2022

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Peace, Justice & Ecology

Indigenous peoples in the U.S.

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acism was a topic the Precious Blood Sisters reflected on during the last year, and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Virtual 2021 Assembly also discussed it. This complex topic continues to need attention, so this piece continues our conversation about race.

Sister Eleanor McNally, who has Cherokee ancestors in her family tree, was born in Hollywood, California, in 1918 and entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood in 1933. Her reflection on Native American history was recently published in our e-newsletter, This Good Work. We share it here in light of Pope Francis’ recent apology for “the deplorable conduct of members of the Catholic Church” at residential schools for Indigenous peoples in Canada.

“How could we look at the poverty and destitution of the ‘Indian’ peoples living in poor reservations and not recognize the sins of our nation?” Sister Eleanor said.

“I guess what we are trying to do now is to learn and make up for the past even though we were not there ourselves. There’s a mystery about history that weighs on our shoulders that will pain us till the truth is revealed.”

The candles burn low as I see the spirits of my Cherokee ancestors in heart-wrenching tears leave the courts of “American Justice.” Ancestral lands of Georgia and South Carolina, their homes, all that was theirs, is being taken away. I see their long journey west, the “Trail of Tears,” where disease, exposure to winter snows, and starvation spelled death to half of the 16 8

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thousand souls who began the long walk.

Tribe by tribe, death by death, the journey of their tears is multiplied as white settlers take possession of native lands.

The scene above gives only the tip of the iceberg to the scourge of racism that followed the indigenous from 1492 till well into the 20th century. Native population on land that would become the United States was estimated at 7 million to 10 million with the arrival of the Europeans. As demands for land on the part of the new settlers followed, it soon became clear that the war between Top, Cherokee Indian Memorial sign at New Echota Histhe white man’s civili- toric Site; bottom, a Trail of Tears map of Southern Illinois zation and the natural from the USDA – US Forest Service; contributed photos. world of the Native Peoples was here to stay. a famous American poet, comBefore long the government mented about Black Ameriechoed the cry of the settlers cans and American Indians that Native Peoples and the grossly with these words: “The whites could not live together. [n-----], like the Injun, will be The indigenous were differeliminated. It is the law of the ent in color, and in cultural races, history.” and religious aspects. They ELIMINATION came in were frightening, and so they two ways. First by massawere portrayed as pagan savcres. Mothers watched their ages who must be killed in children slaughtered before the name of civilization and they and the elderly fell to the Christianity. Insulting to the hatchet or bayonet. Names like Native Nations’ high cultural “The Creek War,” the “Mankadevelopment, even missionarto Executions,” the “Sand ies preached with the convicCreek Massacre,” “Wounded tion that the indigenous “had Knee” of South Dakota, plus minds and hearts hitherto uncultivated.” Walt Whitman, Story by Sister Eleanor McNally

became the cry: Deprive them of their culture and lifestyles, their ancestral religion and language, their customs, their dress, all that made them unique in the family of nations. Make them Americans.

Start with the youth. And so the Indian boarding school was created. Once again cruelty was inflicted. Children were snatched from their homes, some sent hundreds of miles away where, in deprivation of all they knew and loved, they were exposed to “Americanization.” Schools were often overcrowded and diseaseridden. Malnourishment was common, and corporal punishment often inflicted. In such conditions it is no wonder that the mortality rate in those years, which lasted up to the mid-20th century, is estimated at 20%.

Although Native Peoples still suffer from the effects of racism, they have survived to contribute their rich spirituality and heritage to our U.S. culture. With rosary in one hand and Kleenex in the other, I have explored the history of the Native Peoples of the U.S. I invite you to do the same. The candles still burn. 

— continued from Page 4

day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and

there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.  Spring 2022

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Peace, Justice & Ecology

1900, the population of the Native Peoples was reduced to 237 thousand souls.

RELOCATION of the Indigenous from their ancestral lands, as in the Cherokee story, was never-ending until the Pacific coast was reached. Lands rich in promise, lands laden with gold became the white man’s possession, treaty or no treaty.

Ultimately the “Indian” was reduced to life on a “reservation.”

Andrew Jackson, Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown, a Cherokee Indian, was on the who “graces” our $20 Trail of Tears; contributed photo. bills, is referred to as a “genocidal sociopath” many others decimated the by historian Roxanne DubarNative population. In the end Ortiz in An Indigenous Peoples’ could be counted 1,500 wars, History of the United States. raids, and attacks initiated by Jackson, a self-named Indian the government. hater, wrote that indigenous ELIMINATION, secondly, peoples “in the midst of anothcame by way of disease and er and a superior race … must starvation. Here the story of necessarily yield to the force the slaughter of the buffalo, a of circumstances and ere long great source of food and clothdisappear.” ing for the Native Peoples, ASSIMILATION became the must be recognized. The U.S. final effort on the part of the Army deliberately slaughtered U.S. government to resolve the bison, reducing the herd the “Indian” problem. “Kill of an estimated 20 million to the Indian; save the man” 30 million to 300 buffaloes. By

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The Ways We Pray Maria Anna led a busy life imbued with the depth of love for her God. Prayer was a part of the family’s day.

She attended Mass daily whenever possible and received Holy Communion frequently, contrary to the custom of the times. Maria Anna also had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She made frequent pilgrimages to the many Marian shrines that dotted Switzerland’s landscape.

—A Kaleidoscope of Precious Blood Prayer

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ust as our Community’s foundress Maria Anna Brunner enjoyed many different ways of praying, so, too, do Sisters of the Precious Blood. In liturgy or in private moments; at home or somewhere new to us; regardless of time, place, language or culture — prayer is at the very core of our being.

Mother Brunner was known for her faithful devotion to prayer, especially Eucharistic adoration, as well as for her care of the poor. Our roots in Eucharistic prayer and service to our neighbors continue to sustain us as we endeavor to live our mission in our daily lives and promote Precious Blood spirituality to the world.

Here, we share just a few of the countless ways we pray.

On the cover, 2019 Jubilee Mass with Father Jeffrey Kirch; above and Page 11 (background), 2018 Jubilee Mass; Michelle Bodine photos.

The Ministry of the Praying Assembly

How many ways are there to pray? As many ways as there are people who pray! Even when we pray traditional prayers such as the Our Father, each of us is praying differently. Not necessarily by the way we say the words, perhaps emphasizing a word or phrase, but rather by how our heart is praying. Each of us must grow into our own individual way to pray, and that continues a whole lifetime. Prayer is an open heart growing into the very Presence of God. Prayer is essentially an encounter with God, whether we pray verbally, through various images or symbols, by entering into the quiet of silence with mind and body, by ourselves or in community with others, devotionally or liturgically. Whatever the circumstances, prayer helps us to become more aware of God’s Presence in our lives, to long to come even closer to God, to experience God’s overwhelming love. One condition for any fruitful prayer is to surrender ourselves to the praying event. This surrender is especially indispensable if we wish to embrace fully the ministry of the praying assembly.

The Praying Assembly

The kind of assembly we are addressing here is much more than a simple gathering of people.

In our context, an assembly is a gathering of people for the purpose of worshiping God during the celebration of a liturgy. Liturgical praying makes demands on us that other forms of praying do 10

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The Ministering Assembly

Ministry is a faithful response to a call from God. The ministry of the assembly makes visible both who the assembly is and what the assembly does.

Simply being together at liturgy is a ministry in itself. When we think of liturgical ministry, we usually think of the various ministries for which people volunteer, such as altar servers, lectors, or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Few of us regard our very assembling as a ministry.

In fact, coming together for liturgy is an essential ministry, because during liturgy we are Church made visible continuing Christ’s saving mission. The assembly prays themselves into their being, into who they are, the Body of Christ. Moreover, our being an assembly is always for the sake of others, even though we ourselves personally benefit (grow in holiness). Our being an assembly effects just and righteous relationships with each other and God. It is an acknowledgment of the inherent dignity of all in our surrender to each other during the liturgical event.

It is much more natural for us to think about what an assembly does than who an assembly is.

One part of what the assembly does is visible and quite easy to identify. Together we sit, stand, kneel, respond and sing, confess our weaknesses, say prayers. We listen to God’s Word and reflect on its meaning for our lives. We profess our faith and intercede to God for our needs. We offer each other a sign of the peace of Christ, and we process to receive the Body and Blood of the risen Christ.

We are dismissed to live what we have done together as the praying assembly. All of this external doing takes conscious effort on our part. But it is not enough.

The assembly does more than this external doing during liturgy; the “more” is not quite so easy to recognize. This more vital kind of doing is to foster within ourselves an openness to God’s transforming us into being more perfect presences of the risen Christ during liturgy and in daily life. Liturgy calls us to live each day building up all those we meet to be God’s beloved people. The earnestness of our external doing during liturgy fosters our surrender to the internal doing of receiving God’s Presence and grace. This internal doing is the most profound ministry of the praying assembly.

The Dismissed Assembly

We are dismissed from the liturgy to live who we are as members of the Body of Christ. A praying assembly is permeated with other-centeredness: openness to God and fruitful presence to each other. Our ministry is to accept that we affect others in our very praying and living, and they affect us. Together we surrender our hearts — our very selves — to the mystery we celebrate and live.

Through this mystery God reaches us in divine encounter. God’s encounter calls us to be the risen Christ whom we receive and give to others. We are to be a life-giving presence for our redeemed world, continuing the risen Christ’s saving mission.

Story by Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman

Spring 2022 11

Cover Story

not. While liturgical prayer is an interwoven combination of communal prayer (such as singing the Gloria or praying psalms) and personal prayer (such as adding our own special intentions during intercessions), the structure of liturgical prayer is predictable, comfortable, and unchanging in its essential elements. Liturgical prayer has grown organically through the long Tradition of the Body of Christ gathering to make present and encounter the depths of the saving mystery of Christ. At liturgy we celebrate Christ’s ongoing Presence and self-giving which transforms us into being more perfect members of the Body of Christ into which we were baptized. During liturgical prayer we give ourselves over to something bigger than ourselves: Christ and his saving mystery.

Liturgical prayer requires those gathered to surrender themselves to the liturgical action to be more than ourselves. We come to liturgy as individual members of the Body of Christ, but in order to pray as a unified assembly, we must surrender being individual members to becoming the one, visible Body of Christ. This is especially true when we gather for the Eucharistic liturgy; the ordained priest is in the midst of the assembly as the visible presence of Christ, the Head of the Body.

Essentially, the ministry of the praying assembly is to be Church made visible; it is to surrender ourselves to being a communion of minds and hearts.

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Praised and blessed be the Sacred Heart and the Precious Blood of Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar

“In adoration, the Seven Offerings have brought me to a new level of praying with the universal church and all the people of God. In this prayer I am united with Jesus in the Paschal Mystery, once again offering my prayer with His for the needs of the whole world. With that experience, I realized that when I pray the Our Father, I am in union with ‘everyone everywhere.’

God is OUR Father!”

— Sister Marita Beumer

Top, Mission Statement; Sister Eileen Tomlinson artwork. Middle, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Sisters' original motherhouse in Dayton; CPPS Archives photo.

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As a young eighth grader, I was invited by my teacher, Sister M. Georgiana Pahl, to accompany her with a group of girls to Dayton, Ohio, for a Vocation Day visit at the newly built prep school, Fatima Hall. The highlight of the weekend was my visit to the Motherhouse Chapel, where I felt I witnessed a “vision of heaven.” The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in a large monstrance high above the altar, decked with many lit candles. On the other side of the communion rail knelt two white-veiled novices reciting the prayers of the Holy Hour. This was where I felt the Lord calling me!

My grade school days exposed me to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: during Lent after the Stations of the Cross and during 40 Hours. I remember Dad waking up during the middle of the night to drive to church to spend his hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Little did I know how important adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was in the lives of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Eventually I learned how the practice I witnessed of the novices was followed by other members of the community all through the day and night. They were following the practice of Mother Maria Anna Brunner, who spent many hours before the Blessed Sacrament and encouraged other women to join her. Not only did they pray; they also took the Lord’s command to do unto others, and supplied food and clothing for the neighboring poor.

Their actions eventually fostered the beginning of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

After I left the novitiate to work in His vineyard, I always felt strengthened by the prayers of our Sisters in Dayton, kneeling day and night before the Blessed Sacrament. Through the years, I grew in my understanding of the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Pope Pius XII reminded us that “Christ had indeed left this world in visible form at his Ascension; but He is emphatically still on earth, the Jesus of History, in the Sacrament of His Love.”

Due to diminishment in numbers and elderly health issues, we Sisters were eventually no longer able to keep perpetual adoration. Our Sisters are still faithful to our devotion to Christ in the Eucharist by their daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

On certain times we are privileged to have Holy Hour before the Eucharist exposed in the monstrance.

Pope Paul VI reminded us: “As long as the Eucharist is kept in our churches and oratories, Christ is truly the Emmanuel, that is, God with us. Day and night, He is in our midst, He dwells with us, full of grace and truth. He restores morality, nourishes virtues, consoles the afflicted and strengthens the weak.” Paul VI adds a final touch to his teaching. “Anyone who approaches the august Sacrament with special devotion, and endeavors to return generous love for Christ’s own infinite love will experience and fully understand how great is the converse with Christ. For there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road of holiness” (Paul VI in Mysterium Fidei).

Story by Sister Beverly Bodnar

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for the glory of your name, for the revelation of your kingdom and for the salvation of all people.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Praise and thanksgiving be evermore to Jesus, Who with his Blood has saved us.

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for fidelity to the mission of Jesus entrusted to the Church, for those who minister to your people, for our servant leaders, Pope _______ and all bishops, and for all those devoted to the Precious Blood of Jesus.

Glory Be… Praise and thanksgiving...

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for peace and justice among nations, for wise leaders and civil authorities and for reverence for the human person, the common good and all of creation.

Glory Be… Praise and thanksgiving...

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for the spiritual and temporal needs of our family, our friends, our benefactors and our enemies, and for our own needs both known and unknown.

Glory Be… Praise and thanksgiving...

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for those who suffer from abuse, poverty or oppression, or from any affliction of body, mind or spirit, and for all who rely on our prayers.

Glory Be… Praise and thanksgiving...

Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for those who desire to be with you, for those who will die today, for all those who have gone before us in death and for our final union with you in glory.

Glory Be… Praise and thanksgiving...

out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for loving acceptance of your Word, for the conversion of sinners and for the union of all believers.

Glory Be… Praise and thanksgiving...

Adapted by Sister Joyce Lehman from the traditional Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood devotional prayer

Prayer to Our Lady of the Precious Blood Mary, our sister, our mother, you stand silentlyat the base of the cross.

Draw us to you in your gaze of union of hearts, in this moment of shared agony and shared surrender.

Give us the strength of love to accompany the suffering Jesus, to get close enough to touch his heart and be covered by his blood.

Let our eyes not stray from his gaze but bring us into union with Him in suffering transformed, in loving surrender.

Mary, our sister, our mother, you stand silently at the base of every cross.

Receive and mix our bloodshed with the blood of Jesus.

Unite our sufferings in the cup of joy and love shared in Eucharist, where all is transformed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer by Sister Terry Walter; lamb and Our Lady artwork by Sister Eileen Tomlinson. Continued on Page 20

Spring 2022 13

Cover Story

Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood

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.

January 23 — Members of the Congregation attended the memorial for the Rev. Robert Schreiter, CPPS, at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Following Mass, Sister Mi-Kyoung Hwang delivered a lecture titled “A Spirituality of Reconciliation: Robert Schreiter, a Reconciling Presence in Integrity of Heart.” The lecture is available online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTecKhx7zB4&t=11s.

February 7 — The Congregation welcomed our new peace, justice and ecology coordinator, Jen Morin-Williamson. Jen previously served for 10 years as a campus minister at the University of Dayton and 12 years as a youth minister at St. Susanna Parish in Mason, Ohio.

February 18 — Several Sisters enjoyed an open house at Brunner Literacy Center at their new location on Shiloh Springs Road in Dayton. The center was founded by Sisters Maryann Bremke and Helen Weber in 2011 and offers educational programs in Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, continuing education, and English language learning.

February 28 — Sisters Judy Kroeger and Nancy Wolf retired from their positions as administrator and coordinator of Sisters at Salem Heights, the Congregation’s central house in Dayton. With heartfelt gratitude, the Congregation offers a prayer of thanksgiving for their years of caring ministry to their fellow Sisters, especially throughout the COVID pandemic. Thank you, Sister Judy and Sister Nancy!

February 28 — Sister Judy Niday was featured as “Resident of the Month” by Siena Village Senior Living. Sister Judy retired as chaplain from Siena Woods, just next door to Siena Village, where she has lived for several years.

March — Sister Judy Niday — along with Sisters Martha Bertke, Martha Eckstein, Jane Francis Hoffman, Mary Lou Schmersal and Juliana Wuur; an inquirer, Shela; and staff member Cristen Allen — packaged 2,800 small envelopes with cucumber, parsley, summer squash and watermelon seeds. The project totaled 58 volunteer hours with Five Rivers MetroParks, which distributes the “Garden to Go Kits” to local organizations such as Gem City Market and Second Street Market.

March 5 — Sisters Maryann Bremke and Helen Weber were the first recipients of the Founders Award, presented by Brunner Literacy Center at its 10th anniversary celebration, held at Dayton Metro Library.

Top, Sister Mi-Kyoung delivers a lecture at CTU in Chicago; second, Jen; contributed photos. Third, Sister Maryann gives a tour of the new Brunner Literacy Center; fourth, Sisters Judy and Nancy with their retirement cake; Michelle Bodine photos. Fifth, Sister Judy with her artwork and a gift card for "Resident of the Month" contributed photo. Bottom, Shela and Sister Judy packaging seeds for Five Rivers MetroParks; Jen Morin-Williamson photo.

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In Brief

Approximately 40 Sisters attended. Beginning in 2023, the Founders Award will be given to one outstanding tutor each year.

March 6 — Sister Mi-Kyoung Hwang attended the inauguration of Sister Barbara Reid, OP, as the eighth president — and first female president — of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

March 8-14 — In celebration of Catholic Sisters Week, Council visited some organizations in the Dayton area which we support — some of which were begun by our Sisters. Council, along with staff members Peg Birkemeyer, Jenna Legg and Jen Morin-Williamson, stopped by to deliver planters to Brigid’s Path, Brunner Literacy Center, Food for the Journey Project, Homefull, House of Bread, Miami Valley Meals and St. Mary Development Corporation.

March 27 — Sisters Carolyn Hoying, Donna Liette and Mi-Kyoung Hwang attended the Faculty Promotion Convocation at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Brother Antonio Sison, CPPS, was promoted to professor of systematic theology and appointed Vatican Council II Chair of Theology.

April — Sister Jeanette Buehler and Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator Jen Morin-Williamson recently attended two conferences exploring regional solidarity and how to create a more just, equitable and inclusive city. “The Common Good in a Divided City: Racism, The Church, & The Challenge of Regional Solidarity” was held April 1-3 at the University of Dayton, and “Imagining Community Symposium: Shaping a More Equitable Dayton” was held April 7-8 at The Hub Powered by PNC Bank at the Dayton Arcade.

April 1 - May 14 — Artwork created by Rosie Monnin, a former member, was featured at the Dana L. Wiley Gallery in downtown Dayton. A short documentary film about Monnin’s life — including a visit to Salem Heights, our central house in Dayton — was included in the exhibit. Artwork by Sisters Alice Schoettelkotte and Katie Lett was included in a silent auction to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter.

April 13 — The Precious Blood Spirituality Institute has named Vicky Otto as its first executive director. The PBSI is a new partnership of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Adorers of the Blood of Christ, and Missionaries of the Precious Blood. It was formed earlier this year to promote Precious Blood spirituality to the world.

April 15 — Sisters Jeanette Buehler, Paula Gero, Rosemary Goubeaux, Joyce Kahle, Patty Kremer; inquirers Felista and Shela; discerner Pauline; and Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator Jen Morin-Williamson participated in this year’s annual Walk for Justice and Peace, traditionally held on Good Friday in downtown Dayton.

Top, Sisters Helen and Maryann with the Founders Award; Michelle Bodine photo. Second, Sister MiKyoung with Sister Barbara Reid, OP, at CTU in Chicago; contributed photo. Third, Sister Marita with Miami Valley Meals staff; Jen Morin-Williamson photo. Fourth, Sisters Carolyn, Donna and Mi-Kyoung at CTU in Chicago; fifth, artwork by Rosie; contributed photos. Bottom, Sisters Jeanette, Joyce and Rosemary at the Walk for Justice and Peace in Dayton; Jen Morin-Williamson photo.

Spring 2022 15

Palettes of Prayer

V

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

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

isitors to Salem Heights, the Congregation’s central house in Dayton, will notice artwork all over the walls.

Some pieces were donated and others were moved from convents now closed.

But a majority of the artwork is by the Sisters. One talented painter in the Community was Sister Mary Norberta Koch.

Born in Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, in 1898, Sister Mary Norberta joined the Congregation in 1912 at Maria Stein. Throughout her almost 65 years in the Community, she taught elementary school in Ohio, Arizona and California. She was also known for her oil paintings, including the two pictured here. She used her artistic talents in the classroom which were “the basis for her creativity and originality in her teaching methods,” according to one Sister’s remembrance. In retirement, Sister Norberta tutored students in art at Emma Hall. One mother of a student remembered that “Sister enjoyed sharing her love of nature and her techniques of art, sketching and painting with the children.”

Sister Norberta died in 1976 at the age of 78.  Story by Sarah Aisenbrey 16

Sharing & Caring

Top, painting of a castle on a lake, dated 1939; bottom, painting of swans in a lake in front of a church, undated.

January 1940 — March 20, 2022

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Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Nancy Raley was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on March 30. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 63 years.

Sister Nancy was born in Canton, Ohio, to Catherine Elizabeth Spratt Raley and Alan Victor Raley, who Nancy described as persons of integrity and faith. A brother, Joe, and sister, Jane, were born in the next few years. When Nancy was about 5, they moved to Cleveland, where her younger sister Rita joined the family. Growing up in Cleveland, Nancy attended public school before transferring to Our Lady of Good Counsel in second grade. That is where she met the Sisters of the Precious Blood and where her interest in becoming a Sister was sparked. As a junior in high school, Nancy transferred to Precious Blood High School in Dayton, and she officially entered the Congregation on Jan. 6, 1959. After a time of formation,

Nancy attended the University of Dayton, graduating in 1964 with a degree in home economics.

Sister Nancy’s life of service began as a dietician at Marian Hall, Flint, Michigan. She continued in food service in Dayton at the Motherhouse and then at the Maria Joseph Center.

These same skills were utilized in Dayton at the Montgomery County Senior Citizens Center and in the Washington, D.C., Office on Aging.

Sister Nancy served on the leadership team of the Sisters of the Precious Blood for 12 years.

Having a deep commitment to the elderly, Sister Nancy became a nursing home administrator and held various positions at Maria Joseph Center and at The Brethren H=ome, Greenville, Ohio.

Sister Nancy joins her parents, Catherine and Alan, and sister Jane in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters; brother Joe and wife Marcia, sister Rita, nieces and nephews.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

In Sympathy Peg Birkemeyer (executive assistant) on the death of her mother-in-law, Betty, on May 1.

Sister Joyce Kahle on the death of her sister-in-law, Renee, during the week of December 26.

Marie Weber Lubeley, (former Sister Louis Therese Weber) died on December 28.

Sister Joyce Kahle on the death of her brother, William, on January 3.

Sister Dorothy Koenig on the death of her sister, Viola, on January 8.

Father Bill O'Donnell, (former pastor at Precious Blood Church) on the death of his sister, Betty, on January 12.

Sister Eleanor McNally on the death of her brother, Joe,

on January 16.

Sister Charlene Heidenreich on the death of her brother, Charles, on January 17.

Sister LaKesha Church on the death of her grand dad, Clyde, on February 1.

Brother Tim Hemm, CPPS, died on February 21.

Lori Brown (cook at Salem Heights) on the death of her mother, Marilyn Wiedemann, during the week of February 21.

Sisters Alma (deceased) and Luella Huelskamp (deceased), Laura and Pat Will (deceased) on the death of their sister (and sister-in-law), Mildred Will, on February 27.

Sister Agnes Mullen (deceased) on the death of her brother, Robert Mullen, on

February 28.

Sister Deb Huss on the death of her sister-in-law, Cindy, during the week of March 6.

Julie Brinkman, (former Sister) on the death of her husband Jorge Rivas during the week of March 6.

Sister Anne Schulz (deceased) on the death of her brother, Chuck, on March 9.

Father Eugene Schnipke, CPPS, died on March 17.

Sister Karen Elliott on the death of her brother, Sam, during the week of March 20.

Sister Verlina Mescher (deceased) on the death of her sister-in-law, Viola, on March 23.

Carolyn Keller, (former Sister Elizabeth Ann Lewe) died on April 12.

Spring 2022 17

In Memoriam / In Sympathy

Sister Nancy Raley

In Memoriam

Sister Theresa Rizzo

February 1937 — March 7, 2022

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Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Theresa Rizzo was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on March 11. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 63 years.

Sister Theresa was the oldest of four children born to first-generation Italian immigrants, Joseph and Nicoline Rizzo. Both of Theresa’s parents immigrated at a very young age and met and married in Cleveland. She recalled to one Sister that they were hard working but often struggled to learn the American system. Sister Theresa attributed her religious formation to the Italian Sisters in her parish. She remembers wearing out her Catechism so much and having to get a quarter from her mother to purchase a new one.

During her high school years, Theresa worked as a package wrapper at a department store and as a cashier at a grocery store. In her late teens or perhaps when she was 20, one of her girl-

friend’s biological sisters was a Sister of Charity.

From that connection, Theresa began to think about religious life.

On January 6, 1959, Theresa entered the Postulate of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Upon investiture as a Novice she received the name of Sister Mary Nicoline, honoring her mother and her Italian heritage.

Before retiring, Sister Theresa served others by her ministry in food service and domestic arts at Maria Stein, Ohio; St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, Ohio; and the Sisters’ Motherhouse. For many years she enjoyed personally assisting her retired Sisters as driver and nursing assistant at Maria Joseph Center, Dayton, Ohio. Sister Theresa considered religious life a spiritual journey.

Sister Theresa joins her parents, two sisters and a brother in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, nieces and nephew.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

Sister Jeannine Kloeker August 1940 — January 23, 2022

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Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Jeannine Kloeker was held at the Precious Blood church in Dayton on January 26. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 63 years.

Sister Jeannine was born to Leo and Mary Kloeker, the third child of five, and grew up on a farm near Newport, Ohio. She had two older sisters and would eventually have two younger brothers. The Sisters of the Precious Blood in Russia, Ohio, were her teachers for her primary education and the Sisters from Minster came on Saturdays to Newport to teach religion. She wrote, “In the eighth grade, Sister Mary Alice Wurm was my teacher. Sister Mary Alice took a group of us to see Fatima Hall, and the seed of my future vocation was planted.”

Sister Jeannine left home to attend Fatima Hall in 1954. In January 1959, she entered the community, and on August 15 of that same year she received the name of Sister Leo Mary and felt 18

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especially honored as that was the combined name of her parents.

She brought the joy of hard work to her 40 years of ministry in food service at the Motherhouse in Dayton; seminaries in Burkettsville and Carthagena, Ohio; Maria Stein Retreat House, Maria Stein, Ohio; and St. Leonard Center, Centerville, Ohio. This was followed by 13 years assisting in the care of the elder sisters at Maria Joseph Center in Dayton. Sister Jeannine’s grateful heart, positive spirit and hearty laugh brought joy and care to all she met and served. Of her years in dietary ministry Jeannine wrote, “I have always striven to do the best job possible and frequently the end result was evidence that I did so.”

Sister Jeannine joins her parents and three siblings in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, sister and brotherin-law Joann and Robert Barga, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

January 1942 — January 8, 2022

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Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Anne Schulz was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on January 14. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 61 years.

Sister Anne was born in New Britian, Connecticut, to Ralph and Mary Schulz. She said, “I am a twin — my brother Chuck was born 6 minutes ahead of me. So technically I am the 3rd oldest.” She was the only girl, with two brothers older and two brothers younger than Anne.

They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, at the end of her eighth grade year where she attended Notre Dame High School for one year. She had an inkling of her call at that time as she went to a vocation program. At the end of the program she picked up some literature from the Precious Blood Sisters. Both the Notre Dame Sisters and the Precious Blood Sisters had an aspirancy, high school programs for young women who may be interested in religious life. Anne chose

Fatima Hall.

After profession Sister Anne received her B.S. in education and began teaching. She taught elementary grades at Assumption, Dayton, Ohio, and Mary, Help of Christians, Fairborn, Ohio.

In the Cincinnati area she taught at St. Margaret Mary, North College Hill; Sts. Peter and Paul, Norwood; and Regina High School. She was principal at St. Patrick, Troy, Ohio; Queen of Martyrs, Dayton, Ohio; and Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio. In 1998 Sister Anne became the first administrator of Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School in Liberty Township, Ohio, where for 20 years she played a significant role in its becoming a place of academic excellence, spiritual growth and community service.

Sister Anne joins her parents and 3 brothers in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, her brother Chuck, sister-in-law Joan, nieces and nephews. She reminds us: “Life is short, enjoy each day!”

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

Sister Mary Anne Schiller

January 1927 — December 23, 2021

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Mass of Christian Burial for Precious Blood Sister Mary Anne Schiller was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on December 30, 2021.

She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 73 years.

Sister Mary Anne was born in Coronado, California, the youngest of three daughters born to Helen Evans Schiller and Edgar Palmer Schiller. Coronado is a resort town where Mary Anne spent her young childhood playing on the beach. Unfortunately, her father died when she was five.

Later, when Mary lived in San Diego with her mother and her sisters, her mother learned about the San Luis Rey Academy. After Mary was taken for a visit, she said, “I fell in love with the place and with those strange but kind Sisters all dressed in black. That did it! In September I became an eighth-grade student at the academy.”

In February 1948 Mary Anne, along with several other girls from the Academy, embarked on

a long train ride to Dayton, Ohio, thus entering the Congregation to become Sisters of the Precious Blood. On investment day she received the name of Sister Mary Carmela.

Sister Mary Anne was a passionate teacher of primary grades in California, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri and Ohio for 33 years. Her missionary spirit led her to minister to Yaqui Indians in Arizona, immigrants in California and as a missionary in Chile, South America. Sister Mary Anne’s greatest desire was to be Jesus’ caring presence to others.

Sister Mary Anne’s whole life is best summed up by a prayer that she received on the day of her first Eucharist. “Lord, no prayer can tell You all I feel, no thanks sufficient be. Lord, let my whole life be a song of gratitude to Thee.”

Sister Mary Anne joins her parents and 3 sisters in heaven. She is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, and nieces and nephews.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Memorial Garden.

Spring 2022

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In Memoriam

Sister Anne Schulz

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4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426-2399

The Ways We Pray (continued from Page 13) — United in Prayer

W

hat a powerhouse of prayer there is at Salem Heights here in Dayton, Ohio. Most of our retired Sisters live here, so one of our primary works of mercy is the Gift of Prayer in response to the many requests that we receive. There is a prominent prayer board in the hall that leads to Chapel. A theme for the week, based on the Sunday Scripture readings, highlights this space. The artwork was designed by two of our Sisters, Barbara Jean Backs and Mary Anne Schiller. Each week, Sister Mary Ann Mozser or Martha Eckstein, OSF, posts the proper theme.

We receive many requests from our families, relatives, friends

and staff. This past year we received many intentions related to COVID-19, to the most urgent needs learned from national and world news and, presently, for peace from the Russian aggression in Ukraine. A general intention for all these prayer requests is included in the intercessions at our daily Mass, and in our Communal and private prayer.

Each Sunday, I have the responsibility of coordinating all the prayer requests and printing them on our prayer board. New ones are added, some are updated, and others are shown with a gracious note of thanks. Throughout the week, several Sisters will be gathered at the prayer board, reading a new entry, or an update

on a surgery or a Sister’s relative who has died. Since there are Sisters who do not live at Salem Heights, I also send the list from the prayer board to our CPPS office and it is emailed to all our Sisters. This listing, titled Monday Moments, is an invitation to take a few moments to pray for those requests. Words of appreciation are also contained in this notice.

It is heartwarming to realize how our prayers have touched so many persons, and we, too, have certainly benefited from the prayers. May the Precious Blood of Jesus continue to bring solace and hope to all who turn to God in their need.  Story by Sister Rosemary Goubeaux

Left, artwork designed by Sisters Barbara Jean Backs and Mary Anne Schiller; right, Sister Rosemary updates the prayer board; Sarah Aisenbrey photos

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