Sharing & Caring Winter 2015

Sharing & Caring Volume 25 Number 3 • Winter 2015 Sisters of the Precious Blood • Dayton, Ohio • www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org

Wake Up the

World!

From the President’s Desk

Wake up the world

P

ope Francis has proclaimed this the Year of Consecrated Life, to “look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion and embrace the future with hope.” Let me explore each of these a bit as a Sister of the Precious Blood.

Although it is possible to be a mediocre religious, one would have to work really hard at being one, surrounded as we are by so many others who give so unselfishly.

– Sister Joyce Lehman Look to the past with gratitude: Our Sisters freely express to anyone who will listen their deep gratitude for God’s gifts that have come to them over the years, and for the people who have been part of their lives. Many, while more than willing to express gratitude to another, are somewhat reticent, however, about receiving gratitude. They can accept the “thank you” that goes with a job well done, but, maybe because they’ve poured out their lives unselfishly, they are more reluctant to be the recipients of appreciation for who they are in general. They feel they have just been doing “what they 2

Sharing & Caring

signed up for”: being for many the experience of a caring God and a sign of the redeeming love of Jesus.

They may also be reluctant because they know all too well those times when they did not give so selflessly, when the sharp retort or critical word escaped their lips unthinkingly. Sometimes it was when the burdens of service had weighed them down and worn them out, so they had to dig deeper than they had energy for to find the charity, humility or gentleness that the person or situation called for. So we say “mea culpa” with deep belief in our forgiving God. Live in the present with passion: Since they’ve lived their whole religious lives fully caught up in the embrace of a loving God and have lived to return that love daily through adoration, contemplation, contrition, gratitude and service, “living passionately” is as normal as breathing. Although it is possible to be a mediocre religious, one would have to work really hard at being one, surrounded as we are by so many others who give so unselfishly.

For some the present finds them with less energy, unanticipated health concerns, and often beyond employment age even if in good health. But consecrated life is not about “doing.” In fact, it is often inactivity, whether chosen or enforced, that allows a Sister to have more time finally for the essentials of our life: con-

templation and adoration. For many years we have been both disciples, like Mary of Bethany, sitting at the feet of Jesus wrapped in God’s love; and apostles, like Mary of Magdala, being sent to bring God’s Word to a waiting world. Now we bring the world to prayer as “elder stateswomen,” intercessors for the needs of the world. So attuned are the Sisters to God’s view of creation, that where the Reign of God is not, they petition God to break through, to soften the minds and hearts of the violent, of oppressors, of the unloved and the unloving.

Embrace the future with hope: As we age and look behind us to see so few younger, we could despair. Consecrated life is no longer an ideal for many women or men. Opportunities for things to do, places to go, things to acquire are so abundant and enticing that a life where one professes voluntary poverty, pursues joining one’s will totally to God’s, and forgoes the ideal of spouse, family and home can — continued on page 9

I

n early 2007, weeks into a new job as an editor at the Cincinnati Archdiocese’s newspaper, my predecessor urged me to make the 2-hour drive to Carthagena, Ohio, and check out St. Charles Center, a former seminary that was being converted into residential housing for both lay people and clergy.

“Be sure to meet the nun,” she said. “She’s the manager.”

So, I made the drive to the tiny town in rural northern Ohio, found the place and met the manager, Precious Blood Sister Martha Bertke. We became fast friends. From then on, anytime I was “up north,” I always dropped by St. Charles for a visit with Sister Marty. We’d chat about religious life or vocations or the community. And she always talked about St. Charles.

Her first few years there were challenging. She’d spend her days promoting the apartments through billboards, open houses and on radio. It was a hard sell because people were leery of living with the clergy. I wrote about her events and even interviewed the first lay person to move

Established in 1989, Sharing & Caring is published quarterly by the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio, to communicate news of the congregation, 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 editor.

into St. Charles.

There was a certain kinship with Sister Marty because we were both new in our jobs. I had just joined the archdiocesan paper after 20 years in secular journalism, and she was trying to build a community at St. Charles after spending 30 years in pastoral work.

Eventually, all 54 apartments at St. Charles were occupied.

There are 59 residents, including 28 lay people. The place is thriving.

And Sister Marty has moved on.

There was one last visit the day before she retired. We again talked about St. Charles and her work, recounting the highlights of her time there.

I snapped pictures as she strolled through the hallways chatting with the residents and giving hugs. A tinge of sadness came over me as I thought about all the chats we had in her office. Her ever-present smile was as bright as ever.

She was happy, like always.

In this issue of Sharing & Caring we also take a look at Sister Nancy Wolf’s new job as coordinator of Sisters’ services 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.

Editor Dave Eck, Director of Communications Layout and Design Michelle Bodine, Media Specialist

Editor’s Notes

Chats at St. Charles

at Salem Heights. In this new role, Sister Nancy has found that the basic skills she mastered during 46 years as an elementary school teacher are useful in her new role.

Finally, we cover the events celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life. The Year, which runs through Feb. 2, 2016, Pope Francis encourages us to celebrate the history of religious life and recognize the vitality of religious life today.

As always, thanks for reading Sharing & Caring. If you have story ideas for future issues, please call me at (937) 274-2707 or email me at communications@cppsadmin.org. 

Dave Eck Director of Communications Address communications to: Office of Communications Sisters of the Precious Blood 4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426 Phone: (937) 274-2707 E-mail: communications@ cppsadmin.org Printing Progressive Printers, Inc., Dayton, Ohio PRINTED WITH SOY INK ON RECYCLED PAPER

Winter 2015

3

Ministry

Skills from former ministry help Sister Nancy Wolf in her new position

A

s a kindergarten and first grade teacher for 46 years, Sister Nancy Wolf didn’t realize she was honing the skills she uses in her new position as Coordinator of Sisters’ Services at Salem Heights.

It all comes down to fundamentals: listening and loving, learning and openness, organization and multi-tasking.

“It’s actually amazing that what I always did is what I still do,” said Sister Nancy, who began her position at Salem Heights last October. “I think because of teaching kindergarten, where you had to change activities very quickly, I learned to think quickly and move and adjust my schedule. Those skills transfer very easily.”

Her adaptability was put to the test immediately. Sisters Nancy and Jeanette Buehler,

who was serving as interim coordinator, were going to share the responsibilities, but after three days Sister Jeanette had to leave the position for health reasons.

Sometimes God’s plans are different than your own, but in working with Sister Judy Kroeger, Salem Heights administrator, Sister Nancy has settled into her new role. She oversees everything from helping a Sister get batteries for a TV remote to handling arrangements when a Sister is taken to the hospital. She works with the Sisters to facilitate community at Salem Heights through prayer, socialization and service.

“I love what I do here,” Sister Nancy said. “I love working with the Sisters. They made me feel so welcome.”

The best part of the job, she

Above, Sisters Nancy Wolf and Ellie McNally; bottom left, Sister Nancy at her desk in the administrative office of Salem Heights.

said, is visiting with Sisters and getting to know them.

They’re eager to share their wisdom and experiences. It’s inspiring how the Sisters interact and support each other.

“These people are just wonderful and they are so appreciative of anything you do,” Sister Nancy said. “It’s nice to hear that, too. You feel like you’re doing what you should be doing. I just feel like God put me in the right place at the right time.”

Sister Nancy has come to enjoy the position, but it’s not what she expected when she retired from Immaculate Conception School in Celina, Ohio, at the end of the 2012-13 school year after 30 years of teaching there. She has also taught in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Arizona.

After leaving the classroom, Sister Nancy took a yearlong — continued on page 18

4

Sharing & Caring

Sister Teresa Maher advocates for ending the use of the death penalty in her home state of California.

She has led an outreach to families of murder victims in the Diocese of San Bernardino since 2011.

T

he death penalty is an emotional issue. We can consider Church teaching, scripture, and intellectual arguments but there is a deep emotional response to violence. Our instinct is revenge.

Our instinct is to kill the person who did the killing. Murder touches a place within us that cannot be named. A piece is torn out of us and the question becomes, how do we get that piece back? I do not think revenge returns that piece.

My brothers and sisters were together one evening when the topic of the death penalty was discussed. My order had given us the option to sign a statement declaring that if we were ever the victim of murder we did not want the perpetrator of the crime sentenced to death.

I signed that statement. My siblings were uncomfortable with my decision. My brother Pat, a police officer, just looked at me and said, “We will see how that holds in court.” He was very much in favor of the death penalty.

A week later Pat was killed in the line of duty.

When a cop is killed, the death penalty is almost automatically considered. The district attorney asked my siblings and me to write letters to the judge expressing our support for a death sentence. I knew

where my brother stood on the death penalty and I wanted to honor his desire, despite my personal convictions. I sat down to write a letter in favor of the death sentence but as I wrote I became overcome with anger. I was not being true to my beliefs or myself. I was acting in violation of everything I stood for as a person and as a Sister of the Precious Blood.

The blood of Christ was going to be poured out in my name and I could not allow that.

I wrote to ask that my brother’s killer be spared.

In the end, a death sentence was not considered because of the circumstances of the case.

But in 2012, I had the opportunity to advocate against the death penalty once more when Proposition 34 was to be considered by California voters.

Proposition 34 would have replaced the state’s death penalty statue with life without parole.

Despite its strong support from people of faith, it was ultimately defeated by a narrow vote.

About five years ago, I responded to the California Catholic bishops’ call for diocesan outreach to murder victim family members. I attended a training intended to help parish members communicate with families of murder victims. I found it helpful but there was no manual to take home and implement what we had learned. I got together with a team of people and we developed a training program in Spanish and English to teach church members how to be present to those who have

News

We are able

Sister Terry Maher. Contributed photo

lost loved ones to violence.

The training program begins with what we call the ripple effect. We discuss the grief of the victim’s family and we also consider the effects on the perpetrator’s family members. We then talk over the components of listening skills and the appropriate approach to persons in deep mourning. Participants have a chance to hear from a panel of murder victim family members and their experience with grief, faith, and support.

It is beneficial for them to hear a variety of journeys in grief.

Some people cannot find God in the midst of their chaos; others find comfort in their faith.

On the second day of the training, we seek to make participants aware of the consequences of the legal system on victim family members.

The system is designed to serve justice, not bring peace to victims, and the grieving process is often stunted in the procedure. Participants get the opportunity to hear from the acting district attorney and — continued on page 19

Winter 2015

5

Ministry

Sister Martha says good-bye to St. Charles

O

n a chilly mid-November morning, Sister Martha Bertke, manager of St. Charles Senior Living Community in rural Carthagena, Ohio, strolls the halls of the massive former seminary chatting with residents and getting in plenty of hugs. Visiting with residents is the best part of her day, and she’s all smiles. She drops by her office to check email, look over details of coming events and take a few phone calls.

On this day, however, the tasks are bittersweet. It’s her last day before retiring from the job she held since 2005.

“I’ve enjoyed it very much,” Sister Marty said. “It’s been very good! I appreciate very much what the Missionaries of the Precious Blood have done for me and with me. I appreciate each person who lives here. I’ve had many interactions with a lot of people.”

The Missionaries built St.

Charles, parts of which date to the early 20th century, and still own it. The seminary closed in 1969 and the property became a home for priests and brothers. The main building was renovated and opened up to both religious and laity in January, 2007. It now has 59 residents, including 31 priests and brothers, and 28 lay people. All of the 54 apartments are occupied.

“She knows everybody and everybody’s family,” said Larry Holler, a resident at St. Charles. “(Sister) Marty has been a godsend to us when we needed it.”

Ministering at St. Charles was a homecoming for Sister Martha. She grew up in nearby Maria Stein, but spent 10 years teaching in Catholic schools, and 30 years of pastoral work in the Diocese of Toledo. She welcomed the opportunity to be nearer to dozens of family members.

The renovation at St. Charles was still underway

Above, Sister Martha Bertke; photo by Dave Eck. Bottom left, St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio; contributed photo.

when Sister Martha arrived.

Amid the sounds of hammering and sawing, she began to envision an active community. She worked alongside the Missionaries as they selected their apartments. An open house attracted more than 1,000 visitors from all over the area.

Still, the early months were challenging. While local people were intrigued with the idea, they were reluctant to rent apartments in a former seminary and live there with religious men. It took four months for the first lay resident, a widow named Betty Humbert, to move in. More months passed before St. Charles landed its second lay resident. The going was slow.

Sister Martha relentlessly Story by Dave Eck

6

Sharing & Caring

Ministry

promoted the project in newspaper articles and on radio programs. She created a billboard, coordinated open houses and conducted tours for potential residents. She let the property sell itself with beauty, its amazing history and expansive grounds.

“I felt like I had to have faith in God who would guide me in the vision that the Missionaries had to open this place up and allow others to live here,” Sister Martha said. “I had to have faith in the people who would be here and the goodness of them. That was an inspirational thought that kept me going.”

'She knows everybody and everybody’s family. (Sister) Marty has been a godsend to us when we needed it.'

– Larry Holler, resident at St. Charles

Little by little people liked what they saw and the community started to grow.

Meantime, Sister Martha began to appreciate how working at St. Charles enabled her to live the charism of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

“I think our charism is so special because it is focused on Jesus Christ who is at the center of our Catholic faith and the center of our spirituality,” she said. “I felt very

Top, Sister Martha Bertke with her award for outstanding achievement; bottom, Sister Martha chats with Helen and Larry Holler in the Holler’s apartment at St. Charles Center. Photos

by Dave Eck

blessed that nearly every morning I could attend Mass here a St. Charles. Celebrating Mass, you were around the Eucharistic table, and I often thought that my desk is an extension of that table, so the work that I do is an offering to God, to give praise and honor and glory to God with whom I

interact.”

Sister Martha, who lives in Coldwater, is pleased with the success of St. Charles, but now wants to slow down. Though she has no immediate plans, she’s ready for a break.

“It’s time to go to the next chapter,” she said. “We’ll see where the Spirit leads me.”  Winter 2015

7

Year of Consecrated Life

Bishop recognizes, praises religious during Mass to open Year of Consecrated Life

T

he season of Advent is a time of keeping Christ in the center of our lives, and those in consecrated life show us how to center our lives around Christ. They teach us by being holy and faithful, spreading their joy to those who need it the most.

That’s the message Cincinnati Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer shared Nov. 30 at Emmanuel Church in Dayton during a liturgy to open the Year of Consecrated Life.

Bishop Binzer was the celebrant. About a half-dozen priests from various communities concelebrated.

“It is a blessing for all of us to be here to celebrate and to say ‘thanks’ to God for those who have accepted the call to consecrated life,” the bishop said in his homily. “I would imagine that all of us here are blessed to know someone in consecrated life who shares the joy of Jesus Christ in his or her ministry in a school or parish, hospital or agency in service to others or in prayer for us.”

The venerable Dayton church was packed as more than 150 men and women religious joined parishioners and friends for the Mass. Precious Blood Sisters Joyce Lehman, president of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and Ceil Taphorn, a community councilor, were among the more than 20 Precious Blood Sisters at the liturgy.

Members of religious com8

Sharing & Caring

Precious Blood Sisters Nadine Kaschalk, Mary Rose McCrate, Ceil Taphorn, Pat Dieringer, Barbara Brown and Rosemary Goubeaux celebrate Mass.

munities participated in the liturgy as lectors, gift bearers and Eucharistic ministers. Sisters Nicole Trahan, FMI, and Marilyn Kerber, S.N.DdeN were lectors, and Precious Blood Sister Elizabeth Westgerdes was among the gift bearers.

Pope Francis, himself a member of the Society of Jesus, has called for the Year to run worldwide from Nov. 30, 2015 to Feb. 2, 2016. The purpose of the Year is to recognize members of religious communities while giving laity a deeper understanding of religious life today. Religious communities and Catholic dioceses around the world are planning individual events to occur during the Year.

“Each of us has a call from God, and discovering God’s call for us will bring joy to our

life,” said Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr.

“Religious life/consecrated life is a viable option.”

The objectives Archbishop Schnurr has approved for the Cincinnati Archdiocesan observance of the Year are to: • Increase the visibility of religious life/consecrated life • Express appreciation • Highlight the joy experienced in this vocational choice • Educate about religious life/ consecrated life There are approximately 50,000 Catholic Sisters and 16,500 religious order priests and brothers in the United States today.  Story and photo by Dave Eck

Year of Consecrated Life

Sisters host evening vespers for Year of Consecrated Life

T

he Sisters of the Precious Blood hosted men and women religious from the Dayton and northern region of the Cincinnati Archdiocese on Feb. 2 for evening vespers and dinner to celebrate World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.

More than 100 members of religious communities attended. The event was held in conjunction with the Year of Consecrated Life.

Top right, Precious Blood Sister Jeanette Buehler speaks during evening vespers at Salem Heights on the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life; bottom right, Precious Blood Sister Martha Bertke offers a toast with Missionary of the Precious Blood Father Ralph Verdi, left, and Marianist Father Thomas Schroer during the dinner at Salem Heights to celebrate World Day of Prayer for Religious Life.  Story and photos by Dave Eck — continued from page two

hardly be considered attractive. But God still calls, and some still respond with generosity – just not in the numbers we grew used to.

As religious we remind ourselves that it is God’s call, God’s church, God’s work!

Hope means letting go of our own expectations and being attentive to where God is at

work. Then our task, to our dying breath, is to hold on to that hope and cooperate with God wherever and however we are asked. It is in so doing that we find a joy that the world cannot give, a joy that pushes us to the margins of society to make sure that all know God’s love is available and free for the taking. So

celebrate this Year of Consecrated Life and give thanks, live passionately and be hope with us. 

Sister Joyce Lehman President, Sisters of the Precious Blood Winter 2015

9

Cover Story

Celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life

Sisters celebrate Year with open house

T

he Sisters of the Precious Blood kicked off National Catholic Sisters Week on March 8 by welcoming more than 120 friends, neighbors, first-time visitors, local city officials and clergy to their convent in Dayton for an open house.

A bright sunny day added to the festive atmosphere as guests chose to spend time with the Sisters and tour Salem Heights, the congregation’s central home. The 2-4:30 p.m. open house was one of several events the Sisters are hosting in celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life.

Sister Joyce Lehman, the congregation’s president, greeted guests in the lobby before they were escorted to Grace Hall on the building’s

fourth floor to view numerous displays about the community. Panels depicting the order’s history – from its founding by an elderly Swiss widow of six children in 1834 through expansion in the United States, Chile and Guatemala – lined several tables. Information on the Sisters’ numerous ministries and congregation’s vocations efforts was also available.

Sisters then led small groups of visitors on tours of the building. Highlights included the adoration and main chapels, the Stations of the Cross, rotundas, the library, and gathering areas. Artifacts from Maria Anna Brunner, foundress of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and her son, Father Francis de Sales Brunner, who led

On the cover, Sister Barbara Jean Backs points to an item in a case filled with artifacts of Mother Brunner on the second floor rotunda of Salem Heights; photo by Michelle Bodine. Left, Sister Joyce Lehman with descendants of Mother Brunner, the Hartkemeyers; photo by Dave Eck. Right, the dining hall is filled with visitors enjoying refreshments after touring Salem Heights; photo by Michelle Bodine.

10

Sharing & Caring

Cover Story WAKE UP THE WORLD !

2015 Year of Consecrated Life

the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in the United States, were on display. Tours concluded in the dining room with refreshments and fellowship. Among the guests were Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron and Trotwood city officials.

Several visitors brought stories and memories of their unique connections with the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Jane Guthrie of Dayton had three great-aunts in the community, Sisters Emelita, Clotilda and Luciana Timmerman. She was too young to remember them, but she was always proud that there were Sisters in her family. She also shared a family story passed down by her dad, Melvin Schmiesing. In the 1930s, Schmiesing was about 10 years old when he witnessed a shootout between gangster John Dillinger and law enforce-

Top right, in Grace Hall (fourth floor) Sister Madonna Ratermann acted as a tour guide for the open house; above left, in the second floor rotunda, Sisters Elizabeth Westgerdes, Marla Gipson and Rose Helene Wildenhaus act as tour guides; above right, in Grace Hall, Sister Amy Junk distributes vocation materials, while Sister Alice Schoettelkotte grabs pens for the visitors; photos by Michelle Bodine.

Winter 2015

11

Cover Story

ment officials near the public school in Egypt, Ohio. An unknown Sister of the Precious Blood from the school was shot in the crossfire, but the bullet struck the crucifix she was wearing, saving her life. She then began helping those injured in the incident.

Mary Hartkemeyer and her husband, Jim, drove about an hour to Dayton for the open house. Mary, whose family descends from Mother Brunner, recalled the Sisters of the Precious Blood who taught her at St. Peter School in Hamilton. Jim explained that as a young boy, he and his mom would drive to Salem Heights from Hamilton each fall to pick up several Sisters and bring them back to Queen of Peace School to begin the school year.

“I always had a little spot in my heart for them because they taught me,” said Jim, who was a student at Queen of Peace.

The open house was the first at Salem Heights since 2009 and the first opportunity many visitors had been in the building since a repurposing project completed in 2013. The repurposing created 51 apartments from about 110 small bedrooms and updated other areas of the house.

The building, which dates to 1930, features five wings off a main rotunda. It was built by the Sisters of the Precious Blood and operated as the Maria-Joseph Home for the Aged until the late 1970s. Salem Heights has been the Sisters’ central base since 1979. The congregation has been in Dayton since 1923.  Story by Dave Eck

Top right, Sister Marla Gipson shows Sister Lou Ann Roof's apartment to visitors; above left, Sister Joyce Lehman visits with Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron in the dining hall; above right, Sister Elizabeth Westgerdes shows visitors the library and second floor rotunda; photos

by Michelle Bodine.

12

Sharing & Caring

B

read is a staple of life, but bread was also at the center of a celebration for the 179th anniversary of Mother Maria Anna Brunner's entrance into heaven.

The event was held at Salem Heights on Jan. 14, the eve of Mother Brunner's death date.

Maria Anna Brunner is the foundress of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

'Bread symbolized this woman, who was bread for others.'

— Sister Maryann Bremke Through a reading of John 6:1-15 — the story of Jesus feeding a crowd with two fish and five loaves — to a blessing of many breads, more than 40 Sisters recalled Mother Brunner’s zeal for bread — from her devotion to the Bread of the Eucharist to the homemade loaves

she often gave to the poor in Switzerland.

"Bread symbolized this woman, who was bread for others," Sister Maryann Bremke said during the celebration. "For our Maria Anna, the separation of Eucharistic Bread from that of the bread served to the poor was an anomaly."

In recognition of the many who are suffering and lost, different types of bread were placed in a centerpiece basket. Each type represented a certain group, including laborers, healers, women who have gone before us with a hunger for the power to make a difference, ones who live in fear, the mentally ill and those stigmatized by stereotypes, the elderly, the enslaved and mothers, teachers and role models.

Following the service Sisters socialized by sampling the various breads, showing their solidarity with those for whom they had prayed.

News

Sisters remember Mother Maria Anna Brunner with special celebration

Above, a Mother Brunner statue carved by Sister Eileen Tomlinson; bottom left, Sister Dorothy Schmitmeyer, Bela Mis and Sister Pat Dieringer after the prayer service; bottom right, Sister Berenice Janszen.

The following day Sisters and employees at Salem Heights joined together for a special meal in honor of Mother Brunner on the anniversary.  Story and photos by Dave Eck

Winter 2015

13

News

Reflections on Mother Maria Anna Brunner During a Mass celebrating the death of Maria Anna Brunner on January 15, Sister Dorothy Schmitmeyer spoke from her experiences as a missionary in Chile, reflecting on the life of Mother Brunner, foundress of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Here are excerpts of Sister Dorothy’s address.

“T

here are saints who are patrons (supporters) of certain areas of Christian life; like patrons of missionaries, etc.

I’d like to call Mother Brunner patron of support groups.

Groups that gather together to share what others are living, suffering or experiencing, just as they had.

“Mother Brunner gave up her teenage years to help educate her brothers and sister.

At the age of 12, she began working for her father and at the age of 14 she left home and became a live-in maid in the Brunner home. She served from early morning until late at night for 15 years, during her teen years and beyond.

“Mother Brunner is the support for many women who are or were live-in maids working from early in the morning to late at night and sending their paychecks to help educate their siblings. When I was in Chile, we had two cooks working at the age of 13. One of them always longed to learn how to read. She walked past a school when she went to buy bread for the family to which she was a maid. She would stand by the window and watch the 14

Sharing & Caring

teacher. Sister Cyria taught her how to read the instruction of knitting. A lady in our chapel was much like Mother Brunner except she never married, but she would be in chapel an hour before Mass and kneel in the first pew where she placed on the altar many who need prayer. Yes, Mother Brunner is a support to all these women who gave their teenage life for their families.

“Maria Anna and John in the beginning of their marriage lost their first child before she was two years old. Yes, Mother Brunner is a support for parents who have lost a child or one who is ill. Many ask us to put their name in a notebook we have at the feet of a statue of Mother Brunner in our chapel.

“Maria Anna is a support to many who have to make long walks in order to attend Mass or attend meetings to prepare their children for the sacraments. It is through the faith of a mother or grandmother that the next generation grows in faith because of these long walks.

“Mother Brunner’s husband was not the most pleasant person. He had a sort of pessimistic and negative personality.

She saw the bright side of life.

For all the women’s groups I guided in Chile, Mother Brunner was their patron saint.

"They asked her for the grace to have patience to live with a ‘macho’ husband.

"Mother Brunner was the baptismal sponsor for 20 babies. She was a source of

A banner of Mother Brunner painted by Sister Eileen Tomlinson.

support for many grandmothers and aunts who took in the child of a daughter, niece or granddaughter to raise and give them the mother’s love that their own mothers could not give.

“Mother Brunner’s husband died at an early age and as she buried her husband and looked over her shoulder, seeing her four youngest children ages 14, 11, 8 and 5, becoming a single parent, she became a single parent for all single parents. Mother Brunner worked many miracles healing parents who were at death’s door.

“As we walk the last walk of our life entering into our Assembly 2015 and we ask ‘what more,’ may we pray with Maria Anna to hear the need of God’s people and how we can respond with sharing the power of the Precious Blood.” 

News

Scenes from Salem Heights Mardi Gras The Sisters celebrated Mardi Gras with games and slices of King Cake. Below left,

Sister Verlina Mescher was crowned the Mardi Gras queen after finding the baby Jesus in the cake, shown with Sisters Lou Ann Roof and Berenice Janzsen. Center, Sisters Laura Will, Ann Merkle, Catherine Nader and Ellie McNally play a game. Right, Kim Jaynes serves King Cake to Sisters Rosalie Kastner, Eva Roehrich, Barbara Jean Backs, Bernice Krieg and Verlina Mescher. Michelle Bodine photos

Africa The Sisters learned about Sister Pat Dieringer's trip to Africa last Fall. Below left, from

left, Sisters Rosalie Kastner, Pat Dieringer, Verlina Mescher and Lou Ann Roof enjoy African gingerbread cookies, with tea and coffee from Africa. Center, the table displayed photos while African music played. Right, Sisters Laura Will and Catherine Nader enjoy the cookies and beverages. Dave Eck photos

St. Patrick's Day Green was the dominant color March 17 for St. Patrick’s Day. Below left,

Sisters Ellie McNally, Kathleen Kelly and Katie Lett greeted Sisters and staff for lunch, singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling. Right, Sisters Nadine Kaschalk, Laura Will, Catherine Nader, Lou Ann Roof, Berenice Jansen and Ellie McNally playing games. Kim Jaynes photos

Winter 2015

15

In Brief Left, Sisters Terry Walter and Terry Maher at a vocation event at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif.; center, Sister Mary Yarger along with Missionary of the Precious Blood Fathers Steve Dos Santos and Vince Wirtner at SEEK 2015 in Nashville, Tenn.; contributed photos.

Right, Sister Kathleen Kelly holds the 2014 Outstanding Ohio Nonprofit Volunteer Excellence Award; Dave Eck photo.

C

ongratulations to Sister Terry Maher on becoming a certified chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. The N.A.C.C. advocates for the profession of spiritual care and educates, certifies, and supports chaplains, clinical pastoral educators, and all members who continue the healing ministry of Jesus in the name of the Church. Certification attests to both professional competence and endorsement for ministry by the Church.

The certification process included a review of educational documentation, and professional competence and moral conduct, demonstration of Roman Catholic theological competencies, submission of extensive written materials and an interview.

S

isters Terry Walter and Terry Maher spent a beautiful January day at a vocation event at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif., engaging with bright students and enjoying warm, sunny weather.

S

ister Mary Yarger along with Missionary of the Precious Blood Fathers Steve Dos Santos and Vince Wirtner spent the first week of the New Year at SEEK 2015 in Nashville, Tenn. More than 9,000 people affiliated with campus ministry across the country attended the event. Sister Mary engaged the attendees and raised awareness of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Seek 2015 includes Mass, speakers and breakout sessions.

S

ister Kathleen Kelly was awarded the 2014 Outstanding Ohio Nonprofit Volunteer Excellence Award from the Ohio Association of Non16

Sharing & Caring

profit Organizations (OANO) for her work with Tender Mercies, an agency that provides housing for the mentally ill homeless in Cincinnati.

The award was presented at a luncheon during OANO’s annual conference in Columbus.

“I was totally surprised,” said Sister Kathleen, who was associated with the agency for 27 years, including 18 as an employee and nine as a full-time volunteer. “I didn’t know that Tender Mercies sent in the nomination for the award.”

In a nomination letter, Latricia Hibbitt, human resources manager at Tender Mercies, explained that Sister Kathleen had helped create many programs and positions that the agency still uses today. As an employee Sister Kathleen developed a coordinator position that has since been expanded into three positions. For years, she worked with residents to help them get their state and federal benefits.

As a volunteer, Sister Kathleen oversaw one of the agency’s buildings, arranged for Christmas gifts for the residents and provided emotional support. She was a familiar figure around Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine, often hugging and sharing a word or a smile with the homeless.

“Many of our residents no longer have contact with their immediate families,” Hibbitt wrote in the nomination. “Sister Kathleen has filled that void for many by being that voice of reason, a shoulder to cry on when things get tough and advocate for their well-being. To many, she is their Sister.”

Sister Kathleen stepped down from her volunteer work last June to transition into retirement.

She recently relocated to Salem Heights, the Sisters of the Precious Blood central house in Dayton. 

News

Santa makes annual visit to Emma Hall

A

s he makes his rounds each December, Santa never forgets the Precious Blood Sisters living in Emma Hall at the Maria Joseph Center in Dayton.

On the Saturday before Christmas Santa and several of his grown elves roam the corridor of Emma visiting with the Sisters and other residents, handing out bags of cookies.

Grins are exchanged and photos are snapped.

While Santa may drop in from the North Pole, the helpers are from the Knights of Columbus chapter 4587 at Our Lady of Good Hope Parish in Miamisburg, Ohio. Parishioners bake and bag the cookies a few days before Christmas.

It’s a routine that’s been going on for nearly 40 years.

Like most traditions, the annual visit got its start as a simple gesture. In the late 1970s Warren Gooley, the gym teacher at Bishop Leibold School in Dayton and a member of the Good Hope parish Knights of Columbus, pulled together a group of students and took some oranges to the Sisters living at Maria Joseph as Christmas gifts. Gooley knew of the Sisters through Sister Cecilia Taphorn, who was principal at Bishop Leibold at the time.

“That was the seed of it,” said Bill Brunner, who has headed up the project for years. “Warren came back and told us how much joy the trip with the students meant to the

Top, Sister Dolorosa Oen receives a bag of cookies from Santa at Maria Joseph Center; bottom, Sister Adeline Mertz gets a visit from Santa Claus at Emma Hall. Courtesy photos

Sisters.”

After a few years, Gooley moved away the and Knights took over.

“We have been going up there since,” Brunner said.

“The Sisters get such a big kick out of it.”

Many of the Knights have participated in the event for decades, including the Stebelton family, who has been there from the beginning. Roger Stebelton, now deceased, was the original Santa and loved the trip to Maria Joseph. Rog-

er’s son, Randy, is now Santa.

In the year before Roger died, four generations of Stebeltons were part of the visit.

Though the participation in the Knights is dwindling, they’re planning on continuing the tradition for years to come.

“It’s quite a feeling to go serve those who have been serving,” Brunner said. “You walk away feeling that you’ve done some good. And they are so appreciative.”  Story by Dave Eck

Winter 2015

17

News

Happy Birthday In each issue of Sharing & Caring we recognize the birthdays of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Congratulations to the Sisters celebrating Winter and Spring birthdays.

FEBRUARY 8 8 12 16 18 19 24 28 28 28

Paula Gero Marjorie Huelsman Theresa Rizzo Regina Albers Barbara Ann Hoying Marita Beumer Eva Roehrich Verlina Mescher Tish Rawles Margie Zureick MARCH

1 4 5 6 12 13 17 23 27

Claire Louse Sharpshair Irene Holz Jane Francis Hoffman Mary Lou Schmersal Nancy Kinross Dorothy Koenig Dorothy Schmitmeyer Rose Margaret Broerman Martha Ann Bertke

APRIL 7 9 9 10 11 13 13 15 17 20 20 22 22 24 27 29

Rosemary Goubeaux Martha DeBrosse Virgine Elking Mary Barbara Agnew Alice Schoettelkotte Maureen Mangen Joyce Ann Zimmerman Mary Yarger Karen Elliott Kathleen Kelly Genevieve Volk Elaine Becker Linda Pleiman Jean René Hoying Maryann Bremke Mary Ellen Andrisin MAY

6 Deb Huss 11 Thelma Wurzelbacher 13 Rose Helene Wildenhaus

19 20 22 22 23 23 30

Carmen Voisard Arlene Hirsch Lou Ann Roof Benita Volk Mary Ellen Lampe Nancy Recker Gladys Marie Lowe JUNE

4 7 9 16 17 19 19 23

23 25 30

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

— continued from page 4

sabbatical and figured she might volunteer as a tutor or perhaps in a children’s hospital or early childhood center.

Meantime the job at Salem opened up. She was asked to consider taking it.

Though she never knows what each day will bring, Sister Nancy said God put her in the job for a purpose. That motivates her do to her best.

“There’s no manual,” Sister Nancy said. “You use common sense and figure as you go what needs to be done.”  Story and photos by Dave Eck 18

Sharing & Caring

Sister Nancy Wolf talks with Sisters Laura Will (right) and Barbara Agnew (left) in the dining hall.

Dec. 1920 — March 14, 2015

R

esurrection liturgy for Sister Margaret Mary Rigdon was held at Salem Heights Chapel on Wednesday, March 18. Sister died at the Maria Joseph Center in Dayton on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Margaret had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 54 years.

The second youngest of eight children, Margaret Mary was born in Dec. 1920, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. to Joseph Rigdon and Anna (Quaid) Rigdon. On Jan. 6, 1960, she formally entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. In religious life she was known first as Sister Mary Bertrand and later returned to her baptismal name. “For me,” wrote Sister Margaret, “being a member of the Congregation gave me the opportunity to enrich and deepen my relationship with the Lord … enabled me to give service to His People … and share life

deeply with caring Sisters.”

Sister was a Licensed Practical Nurse when she entered and later earned her license as a Registered Nurse. Most of her ministry was in health care. She ministered for 28 years as a nurse in Ohio at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, at Lourdes Hall and Emma Hall at the Maria Joseph Center (MJC) in Dayton, and at St. Leonard Center in Centerville. For ten years she served in the Post Office at MJC. In 2003 she retired at Salem Heights in Dayton, but still gave foot care to the Sisters. In 2015 her declining health necessitated nursing care provided by the MJC where this gentle, quiet and caring person died.

Sister Margaret is survived by her nieces, nephews and first cousins. Preceding her in death were her brothers Charles, Joseph, Edward and Francis and her sisters Irma (Sister Placidas, SL), Marie Malone, and Anne Farthing.

Interment was in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

For the full texts of the eulogies given at the sisters’ funerals, go to: www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org; click on About Us>In Memoriam.

In Sympathy Sister Nancy Recker on the death of her brother-in-law, Charles Niese Sister Ann Catherine Lehmkul on the death of her brother, Robert L. Lehmkuhl Sister Elizabeth Westgerdes

on the death of her sister-inlaw, Lucille A. Westgerdes Sister Ritamary Bulach on the death of her brother, Richard Bulach Sister Lou Ann Roof on the death of her brother, Dan Roof

Sister Anna Maria Sanders on the death of her sister, Marilyn Yates Sister Noemi Flores on the death of her brother, Juan Carlos Flores

to the event. Reconciliation allows the victims to not be held hostage by this act of violence.

Forgiveness and reconciliation are two separate things but I believe reconciliation is a precursor to forgiveness.

It is essential that the Church is present to victims of violence. Family members of those murdered have to re-imagine

God, they have to find God in the midst of terrible chaos. The Church cannot abandon them.

We must hold them in throes of grief and work towards spiritual healing. 

— continued from page 5

victim advocates on a panel.

Our hope is that they understand how the system tries to help the victims but often leaves them very much alone.

Perhaps most importantly, we explore the stages of grief in instances of murder. There are twelve components of grief in cases of murder, all designed to help survivors be reconciled

Story by Sister Terry Maher [Ed. note. This article first appeared on the Catholic Mobilizing Network website. Used with permission.]

Winter 2015

19

In Memoriam

Sister Margaret Mary (M. Bertrand) Rigdon

4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426-2399

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID DAYTON, OH Permit No. 966

Sisters provide warm clothing for those in need

P

recious Blood Sisters in the southern and northern parts of Ohio helped make winter more comfortable for the poor and needy. In Dayton Sisters Eva Roehrich and Beverly Bodnar knitted nearly 300 caps that were given to homeless in Dayton and Cincinnati. In Findlay, Sister Mary Lou Schmersal oversees the Warm Hat Project at St. Michael Parish. That program involves more than two dozen women who have created more than 1,000 caps, scarves, mittens and headbands in the last two years.

The clothing is distributed for free throughout the community to those in need. 

20

Sharing & Caring

Above, Sisters Eva Roehrich, left, and Beverly Bodnar look over the nearly 300 caps they knitted for the needy. The warm clothing will be distributed to homeless in Cincinnati and Dayton. Below, the colorful scarves and hats ready for distribution. Michelle Bodine photos