Sharing & Caring Winter 2018

Sharing & Caring Volume 28 Number 3 • Winter 2018 Sisters of the Precious Blood • Dayton, Ohio • www.preciousbloodsistersdayton.org

Seeking Justice, Seeking Peace

From the President’s Desk

Eucharist draws us to just action

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he inspiration passed to commit oneself to too many down to us from our projects, to want to help everyone foundress, Maria Anna in everything, is to succumb to Brunner, came from her time violence. More than that, it is spent before the Eucharist in cooperation in violence. It deadoration and prayer. Her stroys one’s own inner capacity words and actions illustrated for peace. It destroys the fruitfula life deeply rooted in the ness of one’s own work because redeeming love of Jesus. That it kills the root of inner wisdom love made her acutely aware that makes the work fruitful. of the needs of those around Thomas Merton was a monk her and urged her to meet in the contemplative tradition, those needs. Her life was but an activist when it came contemplation in action and to being aware of the poverty, her care for those around her oppression, exclusion and was food for reflection dursenseless violence in the world ing her hours of adoration. beyond the monastery gates.

She instinctively knew that And when he found himself one aspect of her spiritual life so engaged in the desire to without the other would not solve the world’s problems, he have been fruitful. knew he needed to return to As daughters of our foundhis truest self and, in silence ress we recognize the call to and contemplation, bring the imitate her. We live life in an world to the only One who effort to nourish its contemcan make the final difference. plative and active aspects.

In our contemplation and This issue of Sharing and Caradoration, whether in church, ing will ilchapel or our lustrate many As daughters of our own rooms, of the ways we often pray foundress we our Sisters are before a cruengaged in an recognize the call to cifix: the sign active life of that death imitate her. We live meeting the was conlife in an effort to unmet needs quered and of those we that new life nourish its encounter. In beyond death contemplative and this engageis promised ment we hold active aspects. to all. We the words contemplate — Sister Joyce Lehman of the Trapthis symbol of pist monk violence as a Thomas Merton close in mind way to remind ourselves that and heart: to allow oneself to be Christ came to conquer death. carried away by a multitude of These early months of a new conflicting concerns, to surrender year include the liturgical seaoneself to too many demands, son of Lent and Easter and we 2

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immerse ourselves in the mysteries they present to us. Out of this immersive contemplation, we look with new eyes and see where we have yet to bring the redeeming love of Jesus to the world around us: in family, neighborhood or workplace; in our parishes, associations and service organizations; and in our leisure activities. Wherever people are, the love of God can be proclaimed. Wherever love is not, the God who is Love, the God whom we come to know and love in contemplation, desires to be brought by us in word and action, silence and waiting.

As you read the following stories keep in mind where, or perhaps more accurately Who, this action for peace, for justice, for the protection of creation arises from and goes to. 

Sister Joyce Lehman President, Sisters of the Precious Blood

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uture teachers, pastoral ministers and musicians in need of help to fund their University of Dayton educations will receive a boost thanks to a generous gift that will fund scholarships in those areas.

The anonymous donor’s contribution establishes an endowed scholarship fund in honor of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, who are based in Dayton and many of whom received University of Dayton degrees in teacher education, pastoral ministry and music.

“The donor wishes to publicize this gift to generate awareness throughout the region in the hope others interested in supporting Catholic education and students’ access to highquality programs in teacher education, pastoral ministry or music will contribute to the fund,” said University of Dayton Provost Paul Benson.

The scholarships are needand merit-based, and renewable as long as students stay in good academic standing.

“The Sisters of the Precious Blood have long recognized the transformative power of educa-

Established in 1989, Sharing & Caring is published quarterly by the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio, to communicate news of the Congregation and Precious Blood Spirituality, and to promote the Sisters’ mission.

All editorial content and photographs in Sharing & Caring are copyrighted. For reprint permission, please contact the communications coordinator.

tion in people’s lives. To have our name associated with an endowed scholarship for education, music and pastoral ministry, especially at the University, is indeed an honor,” said Sister Joyce Lehman, President of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

“Our long history of involvement with the UniverAn aerial view of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception; sity makes this so contributed photo. very fitting.”

10 percent by the National On Friday, Council on Teacher Quality.

January 26, Eric F. Spina, College Choice ranked the president of the University school’s elementary educaof Dayton, hosted a luncheon tion program as one of the 30 for representatives of the best bachelor’s programs in Sisters of the Precious Blood. the nation. U.S. News & World Also in attendance were Report recognized the Uniseveral Marianists and deans versity for offering one of the and others from the departbest online graduate educaments whose students will benefit from the scholarship.

The University of Dayton’s — continued on Page 5 undergraduate program preparing future high school Story originally published by the teachers is among the best in University of Dayton. Used with permission. the nation, ranked in the top

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

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

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Progressive Printers Inc., Dayton, Ohio

Editorial Content Mary Knapke, Communications Assistant

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

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News

A gift that keeps giving

Vocations

Precious Blood Sister Bela Mis professes first vows

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recious Blood Sister Francisca Belarmina Mis Guamuche pronounced first vows during a Mass and ceremony Dec. 9 in the chapel at Salem Heights.

Sister Bela grew up in Guatemala City and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Universidad Mariano Gálvez de Guatemala. “I thank each one of you who have accompanied me on this journey of discernment and formation, for their friendship, affection and support,” she wrote in a message printed in the ceremony program. “A thousand thanks to all of you for enriching and being part of my life.”

As part of the rite, Sister Bela proclaimed, “Today, with happiness for being called to religious life … I, Francisca Belarmina Mis Guamuche, make my vow of chastity, poverty and obedience for three years, according to the constitution of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.” Some portions of the ceremony were conducted in Spanish.

Nearly every seat in the Salem Heights chapel was full; friends and fellow Precious Blood Sisters came to Dayton for the event from across the U.S. and from Guatemala.

During the service, Sister Ann Clark, the Congregation’s novice director, called Bela to the altar to profess her vows, which were then accepted by Sister Joyce Lehman, President of the Congregation. Several Sisters served in various roles during Mass, including Sisters 4

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Paula (Marilyn Kateri) Gero and Terry Walter as lectors, and Novice Sister LaKesha Church, who cantored the psalm.

Precious Blood Father David Kelly delivered the homily. He began by acknowledging Sister Bela’s father, who had died only three days before, saying that even though her father had been ill for some time, “death comes like a thief in the night.

“And yet,” he continued, “like Mary in the sacred Scriptures of today, we profess our faith in God, who brings Sister Bela stands next to a statue of Mother Brunner carved forth life even when by Sister Eileen Tomlinson; Sister Noreen Jutte photo. there seems to be no life. From the barrenness of a because of it.” world, God brings forth life.

Precious Blood Fathers DenIn fact, that’s the very core of nis Chriszt, Steve Dos Santos who we are as members of the and Denny Kinderman, along Precious Blood family. It’s the with Marianist Father Bertrand charism of reconciliation, it’s Buby, concelebrated the Mass. the belief that we are not anyBrother Juan Acuña broadone but those who discover cast the Mass as a Facebook life in the midst of darkness.”

Live video so that Sister Bela’s Father David also welcomed family could watch from their Sister Bela to the Precious home in Guatemala and PreBlood family, “a family dedicious Blood Sisters could watch cated to the spirituality of recin Chile. Sister Bela was able onciliation. A family dedicated to take a few moments to greet to giving birth to the Word viewers on-camera directly of God in the world today. … after Mass and before a flurry We need to celebrate that you of activity as over a hundred are now part of our family in a real way, and we are better Story by Mary Knapke

Vocations/ News Left, Sister Bela receives the "Our Way of Life" booklet as a Sister of the Precious Blood; right, Sisters Terry Walter, Marifé Hellman, Bela and Joyce Kahle; Mary Knapke photos.

well-wishers greeted her and posed for photos. In addition to fellow Precious Blood Sisters, some of the day’s guests included other young religious men and women from a variety of congregations, as well as friends from Chicago, Cleveland and Dayton.

A luncheon followed the Mass and ceremony in the Salem Heights dining room.

“This day is one of great joy for our Sisters, as well as for those who have come to know Sister Bela in her studies and ministry in the novitiate. The number of people who came from near and far to be with her on her profession day is testimony to how she proclaims God’s love by being a life-giving and reconciling presence to others,” Sister

Joyce said.

The next day, Sister Bela renewed her vows with the Hispanic community at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dayton, where she ministered during her novitiate. She will go on to continue her studies and further discern her calling as a Precious Blood Sister before making her final profession of vows. 

ment also offers all UD students opportunities to participate in instrumental and vocal ensembles that regularly perform publicly. Many faculty perform regularly with the Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic, among others.

The University’s pastoral

ministry program offers graduate students a comprehensive introduction to theological, ethical, historical and Biblical resources that ground Christian ministers’ work and introduces them to principles of pastoral theology and pastoral skills applicable in most ministerial settings. 

— continued from Page 3

tion programs in the nation.

The music department offers Bachelor of Music degrees in music composition, music education, music performance and music therapy, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with concentrations in ethnomusicology, jazz studies and music studies. The depart-

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Pilgrimage to beatification

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he pilgrimage began May 4, 2017, with the announcement that Venerable Father Solanus Casey, O.F.M.Cap., was to be beatified in Detroit, Michigan, later in the year.

On that day, I remembered living as a child about 11 blocks from St. Bonaventure Monastery, where Father Solanus had been a porter for many years, and going there for Mass with my mother and older brother. I recalled being at the monastery on January 9, 2017, for the funeral Mass of my Aunt Mary, who was a lay Third Order Franciscan. I remembered my uncle praying with a second-class relic of Father Solanus Casey when my father was dying. Later I found a second-class relic of this saintly man among my parents’ belongings. I also remembered stories of the soup kitchen which Father Solanus co-founded in Detroit in 1929 during the Great Depression and how a cousin periodically volunteers at the soup kitchen that continues to this day.

Having left Michigan shortly after the death of Father Solanus, I did not have the opportunity to know much about him. When the announcement of the beatification was made, I began to read and study about, as well as pray to, this saintly priest. Then I was invited to be a volunteer at the beatification.

I decided to do so without hesitation, not only for the experience but also to give back to the Archdiocese of Detroit and the city of my birth.

I read and listened to “Sola6

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nus stories” and talked with several members of the CPPS community who had been to the Solanus Casey Center at St. Bonaventure Monastery. The readings were from books such as The Porter of Saint Bonaventure’s by James Patrick Derum; Meet Solanus Casey by Brother Leo Wollenweber, O.F.M.Cap.; and Thank God Ahead of Time by Michael Crosby, O.F.M.Cap., as well as other readings from various Catholic and local newspapers. My readings led me to a deeper appreciation for the gentle, humble priest who walked the streets of Detroit and of Brighton, where I now reside. He had been the summer chaplain for a group of orphans who came to a Brighton camp. I gained an appreciation of a holy man who accepted individuals where they were in their life and who gently challenged each to grow as a person and in their faith. This challenged me to be more aware of individuals who I meet in my professional life.

In my readings, I discovered that several women came to see Father Solanus. They were coming from a Catholic sanitarium in Rome City, Indiana.

The assumption is that this was Kneipp Springs and the women had also been influenced by our CPPS Sisters.

I heard Solanus stories from individuals in the Brighton area, stories about healing — both spiritual and physical — that were attributed to Father Solanus in his lifetime and after his death. I met a group of women who were orphans

The welcome sign at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

who knew the chaplain Father Solanus in his lifetime. I discovered a shrine to Venerable Solanus Casey at St. Mary Magdalen Church, a local Brighton parish.

As the weeks from May 4 continued, many people from various areas across the United States, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Panama and other countries prepared for the journey to Detroit for the beatification of the Venerable Solanus Casey. Three hundred-plus relatives of this holy friar made the journey, and 66,000 people — young children to individuals all across the life span — assembled on Saturday, November 18, at Ford Field, where the home stadium of the Detroit Lions was transformed into a sacred space for the beatification Mass.

— continued on Page 9 Story and photo by Sister Joanne Belloli

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aura, a college-age Dayton parishioner who arrived in the United States from Mexico as a 4-yearold child, shared her personal story of living with the uncertainty of deportation with 30 of our Sisters at Salem Heights on December 12.

She is registered in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Laura attends college on a full academic scholarship, and she does not receive any government assistance. She tearfully relayed her ambition of becoming a doctor, because she is fearful that her scholarship will be revoked — or worse, that she will be deported to Mexico, a country that she does not know.

Laura and some 800,000 individuals who are registered under DACA are awaiting the passage of legislation to grant them permanent legal status in the U.S., as the presidential administration seeks to end their residency protection. The Sisters signed letters to their congressional representatives, which contributed to the total of 18,000 letters that were generated for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s “Letters for DREAMers Campaign” at the end of 2017.

Prior to Laura’s story, Pam Long, now the former regional director of the Catholic Social Action Office, gave an overview of migration and what our Catholic social teaching requires of us in responding to the needs of immigrants and refugees.

The series continued with two documentary films by Father Dan Groody, CSC, associate professor of theology and global affairs at the University Sisters discuss Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey in small groups after of Notre viewing the video. Clockwise from bottom left, Sisters Nancy Wolf, Helen Weber, Irene Holz and Maureen Mangen.

Dame, and an award-winning author and The theme of the World Day film producer. Dying to Live: of Peace, January 1, was MiA Migrant’s Journey and One grants and Refugees: Men and Border, One Body: Immigration Women in Search of Peace. and the Eucharist were shown In his message, Pope Francis in January and February to the asked us to “turn a contemSisters at Salem Heights. plative gaze” toward our Small and large group dismigrant and refugee brothers cussion occurred on topics and sisters, recognizing that such as finding God in the we are all part of one family “other,” the parallels of the and that all people have the Way of the Cross to the migraright to a life of peace and tion experience and our call to dignity, as well as a right to participate in the transformashare in the resources of our tion of the Eucharist in uncommon home. derstanding and responding He further added, “We must to the pain and suffering of also turn this contemplative migrants today. gaze to the cities where we Lastly, on February 26, many live, a gaze of faith which sees Sisters participated in a naGod dwelling in their houses, tional Catholic “call-in day” in their streets and squares, to Congress to express supfostering solidarity, fraternity, port for DACA recipients. If and the desire for goodness, you have not done so, please truth and justice — in other call your senators and reprewords, fulfilling the promise sentative to lend your voice of peace.”  in support of these vulnerable Story and photo by Colleen Kammer people.

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Three-part immigration series stimulates dialogue and advocacy

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Precious Blood Sisters continue ministry of prayer vigils for homicide victims

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as Vegas. Orlando. Virginia Tech. Sandy Hook.

These are just a few of the places whose names have now become synonymous with gun violence. While homicides in the Dayton area may not garner national attention, the effects of gun violence are as devastating here as they are in communities both large and small across the U.S. In 1994, Precious Blood Sisters first began coordinating prayer vigils at sites where homicides had occurred in the Dayton area. Following a hiatus of several years, in 2006 an ecumenical group — again led by the Precious Blood Sisters — resumed the work of this ministry.

Here, as everywhere that gun violence occurs, victims are daughters and sons; mothers and fathers; old and young. The Precious Blood of Jesus calls out to us in the blood of all victims of violence. My personal motivation springs from an ever-growing sense of the call to live out Precious Blood Spirituality as expressed in our mission statement as Sisters of the Precious Blood. In it we state that we “proclaim God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.” Our world is indeed fractured by the violence that permeates it locally, nationally and globally. By going to the site of homicides, we proclaim that God’s love is greater than the evil that has been perpetrated. The blood of Abel continues to cry out to God in 8

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Top, Sister Jeanette participates in a homicide vigil; contributed photo. Bottom, Standing by the candles representing the 34 homicide victims in 2017 are prayer leaders (from left) Pastor Stephen Matlock, Body of Christ Deliverance Center; Barbara Mosley, Omega Baptist Church; Jan Reed, Holy Trinity Parish; Pastor Jennifer Scarr, Trotwood Church of the Brethren; absent, Tom Bensman, The Compassionary. Sister Jeanette Buehler photo.

the blood of our brothers and sisters who are murdered in our own day. We “reclaim” the site marred by the shedding of that blood.

Because we are called to be life-givers and reconcilers, we pray not only for the victim, but also for his or her family, for the perpetrator and for his

or her family as well. Our presence has, at various times, been a consolation to the families, their friends and even to the neighbors. To some extent we represent the broader Dayton community in saying that others care, that this person did Story by Sister Jeanette Buehler

Annual memorial prayer service There were 35 persons who joined in the annual memorial prayer service for homicide victims on March 10, 2018.

This annual service brings together the members who support the vigils by their presence at the site of homicides throughout the year. Victims ranged in age from 6 to 71.

As well as remembering the victims, the service provides participants an opportunity to re-commit themselves to the public witness of the vigils and to further supportive relationships among themselves.  Story by Sister Jeanette Buehler

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not die without anyone remembering that he or she had lived.

I feel this particularly when almost nothing is known about the person who was murdered — no listing of family members or much of anything except the victim’s name and age.

How do we keep on going? I strongly believe that it is the common faith of those of us who attend the vigils that keeps us going. We gain strength from one another, from the witness of family, friends and neighbors who often join us. We believe that prayers are answered, that our beseeching God to end the violence may have prevented even more violence from having occurred. One vigil at a time, we hope to make a difference. 

Prayer to End Violence God of life, source of hope, the violence within our world, our communities, our families, indeed our very selves, is destroying your creation.

In union with the Precious Blood of Jesus, give us the strength to break the cycle of violence, to hear the cry of the blood and make sacred again your earth stained by blood.

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Along with close to a thousand volunteers, we assembled together the Mass program and the booklet for the beatification.

Prior to Mass, I met people I knew from my home archdiocese — like my youngest sister’s friend, who also was a volunteer. I met a young child, Edward Solanus, who journeyed with his parents from Indianapolis to attend the liturgy. His mother’s great-grandmother was healed by Father Solanus.

As the liturgy began, the assembly sang the refrain “This is the feast of victory for our God…” and continued by witnessing the reading of the request for beatification, listening to a short biography of the life of Father Solanus Casey, the reading of the Apostolic Letter and the presentation of the decree. The picture

of Blessed Solanus Casey, O.F.M.Cap., was unveiled and a song of thanksgiving was sung. The presentation of the Apostolic Letter was then presented to various individuals.

The Gospel of the beatification Mass focused on a special passage from the Gospel of Luke 11:10 that inspired Blessed Solanus throughout his life. Jesus speaks, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.”

I believe it is a blessing that his beatification came on the eve of the first World Day of the Poor promulgated by Pope Francis.

“Thank God ahead of time” was a theme in the life of Blessed Solanus. He witnessed faith, hope and charity through his ministry to people

no matter their creed, race or age. His compassionate attention to individuals continues to be an inspiration for myself and for many around the world. I was blessed by walking this pilgrimage and being a witness to the beatification of Blessed Solanus Casey. I continue to hear Solanus stories and personally experience how this humble, contemporary friar influences not only my life, but also the lives of many.

The journey of faith continues.

Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us. All holy men and women, pray for us. Christ Jesus, Lord Jesus, hear our prayer for the poor and needy, for people of faith, for people in need of healing….

Blessed Solanus Casey will be remembered by the church each year on July 30.  Winter 2018

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Relationship and an integral ecology

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hen people in our society think about the meaning of the word “relationship,” most of them probably consider their bond or association with those whom they love — family, friends and, hopefully, God. The dictionary defines relationship as the way in which two or more concepts, objects or people are connected, and the way that living beings behave toward one another.

Our Precious Blood Spirituality calls us to a more complete understanding and practice of relationship — our interconnectedness with all creation — and how we care for, behave toward or influence people, as well as our interrelationship with and care of the living organisms and natural resources of the earth.

In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si': On Care of Our Common Home, he calls this interconnectedness an integral ecology — where relationship with one another, with God and with creation are all vitally important. These relationships should be nourished and be made central in our lives so that we can recognize God’s revelation to us, which He does in the everyday routine of living.

Created in the image of God, we, and creation are precious.

Pope Francis states in Laudato Si', “Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are a part of nature. Strategies for our complex social and environmental crises demand an inte10

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grated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time, protecting nature.”

The pope tells us that “the whole” is greater than any one part. We need to approach solutions to our common problems across all sectors of our global society: social, political, cultural, environmental, economic, religious, etc. And our solutions must be based on a preferential option for, and an ethical relationship with, the poorest of our brothers and sisters.

All members of the community, educated or not, rich or poor, should be invited to active participation and dialogue in striving to achieve the “common good,” whereby all people are afforded the ability — through social peace, stability and security — to reach their full potential.

Most importantly, we are encouraged to be humble and to realize that we have much to learn from others who are very different from us. In fact, as messengers of reconciliation, we are called to see our differences as a source of enrichment. When we do that and when we bring our open heart and mind to the table, we succeed in forming and nurturing right relationships.  Story by Colleen Kammer Top, Sister Kathleen Kelly worked with the poor in Cincinnati; contributed photo.

Middle, Sister Mumbi Kigutha receives the Eucharist from Sister Karen Elliott during Mass at Salem Heights; Michelle Bodine photo. Bottom, Sister Donna Liette in her garden at the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago; Dave Eck photo.

Sisters co-sponsor “S.O.A.P. UP the First Four” to combat human trafficking

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buzz of activity created by people across the generations filled the cafeteria of Chaminade Julienne High School (CJ) on Saturday, March 10. The purpose of their concerted effort was to educate and to provide direction for area hotel staff on the topic of human trafficking.

This was done prior to the increase in out-of-town visitors to Dayton for the NCAA First Four basketball tournament on March 13 and 14.

Over 60 people participated in the event, which was cosponsored by Abolition Ohio, CJ, the Sisters of the Precious Blood, the University of Dayton (UD) and S.O.A.P. (Save our Adolescents from Prostitution). Representing the CPPS were myself and Sisters Regina Albers, Marita Beumer, Ann Clark, Joan (M. Christine) DeChristopher, Patty Kremer and Ceil (Ellen Mary) Taphorn.

To prepare for the afternoon hotel visits, the Sisters assembled packets from S.O.A.P. that contained missing children posters, letters for management, a list of “red flag” trafficking indicators and mousepads and key chains containing the national anti-trafficking hotline number. CJ and UD students labeled bars of soap with the hotline number, which were delivered to the hotels along with the packets.

Theresa Flores, a former sex trafficking victim and founder of S.O.A.P., gave a presentation to the group about the human trafficking industry and

Sisters Patty Kremer, Regina Albers and Ceil Taphorn assemble packets for area hotel staff.

shared her personal story of being trafficked at age 15. Out of her own suffering grew her mission to save victims of sex trafficking. Her organization does this through the education of staff at hotels and other 24-hour businesses where trafficking is likely to occur. It also places the hotline number within reach of trafficking victims, via bars of soap in bathrooms.

Human trafficking is one of the leading crimes in the United States and the world. It affects not only girls; about 20 percent of trafficking victims are boys or young men. Flores explained that the activity is often mislabeled as prostitution whereby people believe that the trafficked individuals have a choice in the activity.

In fact, many are drugged and subsequently addicted, beaten, blackmailed and/or they or their family members are threatened with violence;

these things keep them in the industry.

S.O.A.P. accomplishes outreach to hotels ahead of large events throughout the country such as the Super Bowl, NASCAR and the Indy 500. With the NCAA Tournament about to come to UD Arena, outreach volunteers departed from CJ in teams of two to four people and visited 80 hotels over a 25mile radius of the Arena.

Two UD students came back from their hotel visits very energized by the experience. They decided to take on the role as co-coordinators of the Dayton S.O.A.P. chapter, whereby they will train volunteers for outreach and organize S.O.A.P. activities to keep the pressure on the traffickers and to provide an avenue to freedom for the enslaved young people in the Dayton area.  Story and photo by Colleen Kammer

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Sisters promote mission in Guatemala with handcrafted products

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n Dec. 2, the Sisters of the Precious Blood participated in the Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Sale, hosted by the archdiocese’s Catholic Social Action Office in partnership with Weavers of Justice. The sale, now in its 14th year, was held at the University of Dayton River Campus (the former NCR World Headquarters building).

Colorful purses, scarves, blankets and throw pillows lined the tables; the items were striped in red, pink, blue, green and orange, creating an eye-catching display for Christmas shoppers. Precious Blood Sisters also offered jewelry, wooden puzzles, bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, Nativity scenes and colorful crosses for sale — all handcrafted items purchased from various artisans in Guatemala. Sisters Marita Beumer, Bela Mis, Ann Clark and Patty Kremer were some of the Sisters who worked at the sale, while several other Sisters stopped by to do some Christmas shopping.

“It is part of the traditional Mayan process to use natural resources to make colors; they use a combination of different plants,” Sister Bela said. “By making these products, this is how many women in Guatemala work to earn money for their families.”

Sister Bela, who is originally from Guatemala City, also explained that detailed, elaborate Nativity scenes play an important role in Christmas decorations in Guatemala.

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Left, Hand-loomed cloth and pillows from Guatemala; right, Sisters Bela Mis and Marita Beumer help customers with their purchases.

“In Guatemala, you can go to a house, and they can offer to show you their Nativity — you will be in shock to see that they are using a whole room for that Nativity!” she said. Often, the entire family will work together over a few days to create the scene, which may include rivers with real water; mountain scenes; or life-size figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

“The Nativity is something that is so special,” Sister Bela added.

Sister Marita explained that proceeds from the sale go to support Holy Mary of the Most Precious Blood School.

Sister Marifé Hellman serves as director for the school, which for 11 years has provided educational opportunities for young women from rural areas of Guatemala. Making the handcrafted products

available in the U.S. promotes “knowing that we’re all one in God’s family, and being able to appreciate the culture of different areas,” Sister Marita said.

Most of the products available at the Catholic Social Action office’s sale come from Catholic Relief Services and their partners, who bring fair wages and prices and safer working conditions to smallscale farmers and artisans around the world. In addition, with each purchase from a CRS partner, a donation is made to the CRS Fair Trade Fund. In addition to the CRS products, five outside vendors were also included in this year’s sale, including the Precious Blood Sisters. The Sisters have participated in the sale for five years.  Story and photos by Mary Knapke

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Precious Blood prayer walks honor homicide victims in Guatemala City

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n Sunday, July 30, 2017, we had our first Precious Blood prayer walk to the sites of five murders here in Santa Rosita, one of the five sections of the Precious Blood Parish here in Guatemala City. It took place following the 7 a.m. Mass at the church. The Precious Blood Spirituality group in the parish helped to organize it, with input from Sisters Terry Walter and Joyce (Joyce Miriam) Kahle and a former gang member who gave us the exact locations of the murders.

Members of the prayer group contacted the families of the victims to see if they wanted to be included. There were more than five murdered, but only the Catholic families wanted to be a part of it. We had a large crowd of people from Santa Rosita that joined us. At each site, we prayed an adapted Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood that included prayers for the victim, the family, the community, the perpetrator of the crime and for an end to violence. Then Deacon Victor Navichoc prayed a special prayer and gave a blessing to any family member at that site.

It was really quite powerful.

The prayer walk ended with a closing prayer at the church.

Our second prayer walk took place October 29, 2017, also in the Santa Rosita neighborhood. Once again we prayed at five murder sites and the newly ordained Father Victor Navichoc blessed the families of the victims.

Praying at murder sites in Guatemala City; Sister Joyce Kahle photos.

We all live in such dangerous times — and some of us in more dangerous areas than others. The gang activity is heavy here in Guatemala, as it is in Chicago, but it isn’t something we think about a lot until there is a violent incident.

Any one of us could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We just trust that God is with us and that God’s angels are protecting us, and so we go about our ministries without giving the gangs a second thought because we won’t let

fear consume us.

We are thinking that we will do a prayer walk in each neighborhood of the parish. It’s so sad that this is even needed, but hopefully it will make a difference in the neighborhood. We know it made a difference for those families who have participated already and those of us who joined them.  Story by Sister Joyce Kahle.

Adapted from an article by Sister Joyce Kahle published in the CPPS Grassroots newsletter, September 2017.

Winter 2018

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Cover Story

Growth and hope at the Day Reporting Center

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ne of my favorite rooms on earth is in a former prison, in a complex of buildings surrounded by barbed wire. It contains six computers, frequently used by inmates and individuals on probation. The room is pleasantly decorated with flowers and stuffed animals, adding warmth to the barred windows and otherwise sterile facility. On a shelf is a subtly placed statue of a woman with a loaf of bread, likely unnoticed by many students.

The statue of Mother Brunner blends into the scenery just as well as the room’s decorator herself, Sister Maryann (M. Veronica) Bremke. By Sister Maryann’s humble service as a tutor specializing in geometry, most students would never know she was responsible for the bright decorations or that she co-founded the very orga-

In our first year and a half, we have not only gained office and tutoring space, but we have also become a certified GED testing center. We have served a total of 252 students, 48 of whom have received GEDs. — Kateri Dillon nization bringing them joy and growth-filled challenge. Sister Maryann is one of 28 dedicated volunteers who commit their time and expertise at the BLC’s 14

Sharing & Caring

Left, Sister Maryann Bremke works with students; right, a graduate of the program; next page, the new tutoring space.

branch at the Day Reporting Center. These volunteers have made it possible for this new program to reach unanticipated levels of expansion.

When I first arrived at the reentry complex in August 2016 with my new supervisor, Barb Maloney, we had no office space on site. We carried the academic materials required to serve our anticipated four students per month. Due to the short incarceration period of residents (45-90 days), our students were not expected to earn GEDs. The program’s goals have since been modified. In our first year and a half, we have not only gained office and tutoring space, but we have also become a certified GED testing center. We have served a total of 252 students, 48 of whom have received GEDs. We remain convinced that these numbers grow because

of the individual learning plans we create for our students. By utilizing one-on-one and small group tutoring, we are able to move each student along according to her or his need. This model also fosters positive student-tutor connections, which, at their best, inspire confidence and hope in our students. Such positive changes in thought and commitments to hope are sorely needed among our primarily drug-addicted student base.

This growth of confidence is apparent among our students on a daily basis. One GED graduate told us in an exit interview, “I worked really hard, and I actually accomplished something. Now, I’m less likely to give up on myself in the future.” This student now holds Story and photos by Kateri Dillon, Marianst PULSE volunteer and program assistant

a 3.8 GPA in his first semester at Sinclair College. He wants to become a chemical dependency counselor assistant (CDCA), because he recognizes the fact that helping others is critical to his own recovery.

Despite these successes, we understand our limitations.

Once students leave the controlled atmosphere of incarceration, they are subject to complex realities most of us tutors and staff can hardly imagine.

Though all students have the option to return to tutoring after they are released, few follow through. It is difficult

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.

8 12 16 18 19 24 28 28

FEBRUARY

Paula Gero Theresa Rizzo Regina Albers Barbara Ann Hoying Marita Beumer Eva Roehrich Verlina Mescher Margie Zureick

1 4 5 6 12 13 23 27

MARCH

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

7 9 11 13 13 15 17 20 20 22 24 27

APRIL

Rosemary Goubeaux Virgine Elking Alice Schoettelkotte Maureen Mangen Joyce Ann Zimmerman Mary Yarger Karen Elliott Kathleen Kelly Genny Volk Linda Pleiman Jean René Hoying Maryann Bremke Winter 2018

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Cover Story

to gauge the lasting impact of our academic lessons once our students leave the warmth of the BLC’s stuffed animals and subtle statues. We have lost some former students to overdose death and suicide.

“We are not God,” Barb told me yesterday, hoping I would truly listen. “We cannot save everyone. It might be someone else who can reach them down the road.”

We are not God, but we must embrace our students’ witnesses of hope as a tiny piece of God’s kingdom before us.

We must offer our knowledge, companionship, passion for education, and our full attentiveness to each student, knowing that our efforts will sometimes fall short. We simply offer what small loaves of bread we possess, and watch, modeling hope, as they multiply. We trust that they will satisfy. 

Cover Story

The impact of Grassroots

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nitial interest in things environmental and justiceand peace-oriented began to coalesce in our Congregation early in 2012. Our organized endeavors started small.

A brainstorming group met Dec. 5, 2011, to link Sisters interested in a particular area of concern. While eight areas were initially identified and established with a coordinator for each, only six became active; of these, only three really materialized. This early effort began with a simple quarterly Ecology Bulletin and took various routes to connect Sisters and also former members who were interested in focusing on the environment as an important issue for themselves and any others desiring to share ideas and experiences with other members of the Congregation.

Another major step occurred as a result of the 2015 Assembly. Preliminary conversations occurred around peace, justice and care of the environment in relation to part of our 2015 Assembly. Emergent Future Directives yielded key directions, which are still the basis of our sharing.

On October 30, 2015, the brainstorming group met and initiated Grassroots, a monthly vehicle to be rooted in the Emergent Future Directives. It was envisioned as a way to share how we each are living the Emergent Future Directives by: . . . allowing clusters to share what they are discussing. . . . giving individuals an opportunity to be heard, to question, to raise concerns.

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Sharing & Caring

. . . helping to motivate ourselves to action and to share information and ideas with each other.

Over the years, various short articles Sister Marie Kopin works with conservation district officers and their shared board in Michigan, Oct. 2017; contributed photo. photos of “green” ardous waste. efforts, as well as comments • Awareness of invasive speabout various resources, prac cies, and working to preserve tices and wide-ranging ques natural habitats. tions and concerns, some of • Suggested prayer services, which include: educational opportunities • Gardening in small spaces and Laudato Si'. including container and • Carpooling as much as pos raised beds and in com sible. munity endeavors, strategic • Monitoring energy elements placement of beauty, garden (computers, lightbulbs, bat ing wisdom, winter gar teries, etc.). dening, spring preparations, • Organizing for change. sustainable practices, land • Weather management strate use and GMO seeds. gies and climate change.

• Deliberate nonplastic groc• Human trafficking. ery purchases and using • Racism. farmer’s markets.

• Literacy.

• Recycling projects including • Immigration. electronic items, unused • Homicide vigils. medications, extra furni• Brigid’s Path. ture, clothing, pacemakers and greeting card fronts.

Considerable interest and • Water usage and protective involvement has developed, practices, the impact of frackwith many Sisters contribut ing, and laundry practices. ing over the months. This • Mushroom hunting — eduvehicle is a way to unite our cation and use. efforts in peace, justice and • Food preservation tech niques.

• Composting, managing — continued on Page 17 paper and rehab waste from renovation projects, and hazStory by Sister Mary Lou Schmersal

O

n March 6, Sister Noreen Jutte retired as our CPPS archivist after almost 22 years of service to us.

Her retirement was celebrated at a Mass at Salem Heights followed by a special recognition during the noon meal. Sister Noreen has been a par excellence archivist. We thank her and wish her many blessings in her retirement.

“Yes, on March 6, 2018, I retired from active ministry,” said Sister Noreen. “I have been abundantly blessed with 39 wonderful years of teaching the little ones and over 21 wonderful years as CPPS archivist. But strictly speaking, we Sisters never retire. We will always continue to be in ministry with prayer and striving

From left, Sister Nancy Kinross, Elise Kelly (new CPPS archivist), Sister Noreen, Laverne Jutte (brother of Sister Noreen), Mary Beth Jutte (former archives assistant) and Sister Florence Seifert during the recognition at the noon meal; Michelle Bodine photo.

to be present to God’s people.

I am full of gratitude to God and to all who have supported

me in my active ministries! I look forward to ‛a slower ministry.’ God be praised!” 

• Stand with the marginalized, make a collective commit ment to promote and wit ness nonviolence, and strive to effect reconciliation among God’s people.

• Act responsibly in the use and care of our planet’s re sources.

• Network with other individ-

uals, agencies and groups to be effective in our current reality.

Fuchs, February 10. She is our former Sister M. Gilbert Weber.

Sister Martha Bertke on the death of her sister-in-law, Dorothy Bertke, December 17.

Sister Bela Mis on the death of her father, Francisco, December 6 in Guatemala.

Remembering

— continued from Page 16

ecology while staying focused on the Directives we have set for ourselves: • Continue to articulate and integrate our Spirituality in our sharing among ourselves and with others.

• Increase our use of social me dia to promote Precious Blood Spirituality.

As of November 2017, we have taken the next step of jointly working with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in these endeavors, coordinated by Colleen Kammer. 

In Sympathy Sister Rita Rogier on the death of her brother, Donald, in February.

Sister Rita Yahl on the death of her sister, Rose Braun, in February.

Sister Helen Weber on the death of her sister, Lucille

The father of Teresa Mikyoung, one of our inquirers in Chicago at CTU. Warren Foster, husband of Helen Weldon, our former Sister Ann Margaret.

Winter 2018

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News / Cover Story

Sister Noreen Jutte retires from active ministry

In Memoriam

Sister Nancy (M. Ann Patrick) McMullen October 1939 — December 24, 2017

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esurrection liturgy for Precious Blood Sister Nancy McMullen was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on Friday, Jan. 5. Sister died in Dayton on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. Nancy, 78, had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 60 years.

Fifth in line of 14 children, Nancy Grace was born in October 1939 to Joseph Gerald McMullen and Florence Gertrude (Vellenga) McMullen in Bellefontaine, Ohio. On January 5, 1957, at the age of 17, she formally entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood because, as she said, “I feel it is God’s will for me.”

In religious life she was given the name Sister Mary Ann Patrick and later returned to using her baptismal name.

Sister Nancy was active in many ministries.

The first 18 years she taught children in elementary schools in Indiana, Arizona, Ohio, Mis-

souri and Virginia. She was director of religious education in Cincinnati for four years before earning an M.A. in theology in 1982, after which she taught high school religion in Cincinnati.

She then served the Sisters as a Congregational Councilor for four years and served as lay pastoral ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese for the next 20 years. She then served six years as Council Secretary until her death.

At her 60th Jubilee in 2017, Nancy said, “Belonging to the Sisters of the Precious Blood has brought richness, happiness and joy to my life.”

Preceding her in death was her sister Jane Wittke and her brother Mark who died in infancy. Nancy is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, her sisters Ruth Borchers and Sandy Carter and her brothers Jack, Tom, Joe, Bob, Paul, Carl, Pat, Fred and Tim McMullen, as well as other relatives and friends.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

Sister Gladys Marie (M. Bernetta) Lowe May 1914 — January 5, 2018

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esurrection liturgy for Precious Blood Sister Gladys Marie Lowe was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on Wednesday, January 10. Sister died on January 5, 2018. Gladys Marie, 103, had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 87 years.

Third in line of four children, Gladys Marie was born in May 1914 to David Lowe and Mary Gordon in Dayton, Ohio. Because of the early deaths of first her father and later her mother, Gladys lived at the St. Joseph Orphanage in Dayton, from where on September 4, 1930, at the age of 16, she formally entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

In religious life she was given the name Sister Mary Bernetta and later returned to using her baptismal name.

Sister Gladys Marie was active in many ministries. She served at the St. Joseph Children’s Home as housekeeper for five years and later returned to serve another 14 years. For five years she ministered at seminaries in Denver 18

Sharing & Caring

and San Diego, California. Then began her 23 years of ministering in child care at San Luis Rey and Oceanside, California. The latter three years she also worked with the St. Vincent de Paul Group, working with the poor. “I love working with the poor,” she wrote, “because I think that is one good way I can live our Precious Blood Spirituality.” This little person of unlimited energy and love to share retired to Salem Heights in Dayton in 1994 where she continued to be of service to her Precious Blood Sisters. Because of failing health she moved in 2017 to the Maria-Joseph Center.

At her 75th Jubilee in 2005, Sister Gladys Marie wrote, “I am grateful for each of you who has been a part of my life. I’m grateful to the Congregation for so much!”

Preceding her in death were her brothers, David and John Lowe, and her sister Marie Lowe and half-sister Freida Robinette Gram.

Gladys Marie is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, nieces and nephews and friends.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

November 1923 — January 23, 2018

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esurrection liturgy for Precious Blood Sister Ann Catherine Merkle was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on Thursday, Jan. 25. Sister died in Dayton on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. Ann, 94, had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 72 years.

Fourth in line of five children, Ann Catherine was born in November 1923 to Robert T. and Luella M. (Link) Merkle in Dayton, Ohio. On August 12, 1945, at the age of 22, she formally entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. In religious life she was given the name Sister Mary Imelda and later returned to using her baptismal name. “Being a member of the Congregation,” wrote Ann, “means sharing the gifts that God has given so generously to me.”

Sister Ann Catherine served 30 years as an edu-

cator of children in grade schools in St. Joseph, Missouri; Rensselaer, Indiana; Falls Church, Virginia; Manteca, California; Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona; and Dayton, St. Marys and Millville, Ohio. Later she became a religion educator serving in parishes in St. Henry, Toledo, St. Marys and Ottawa, Ohio. From 1990 to 2001, Sister served others as a pastoral minister in Dayton.

In 2001, Ann retired and did volunteer ministry at Twin Towers and later at Salem Heights in Dayton. Failing health problems in late 2017 brought her to Maria-Joseph Center, from where God chose to call her home.

Preceding her in death were her brothers, Charles Robert and James Edward, and her sister, Marie Angela Glaser. Ann Catherine is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters, her sister Rosemary Dillon and nieces and nephews.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

Sister Marjorie (M. Paulita) Huelsman February 1941 — January 30, 2018

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esurrection liturgy for Precious Blood Sister Marjorie Huelsman was held at the Salem Heights chapel in Dayton on Friday, Feb. 2.

Sister died on Jan. 20, 2018.

Marjorie, 76, had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 56 years.

Marjorie Kathleen Huelsman was born to Louis and Adeline (Quinter) Huelsman in February 1941 in Celina, Ohio, where she joined her only sibling, her brother Louis Jr. Marjorie entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio, on January 1, 1961, at the age of 20 and was given the name Sister Mary Paulita. Later she returned to the use of her baptismal name.

Sister Marjorie served in a wide variety of ministries over her years in the community, including in the classroom teaching art to grade schoolers, working as a nurses’ aide, caring for her aging parents and in a variety of domestic duties. Sister Marjorie most enjoyed anything that had to do with art and creative drawing, at which she was accomplished. No matter how busy Margie was, she always found time to en-

joy her art work.

In the mid-2000s, Sister Marjorie moved to Salem Heights due to failing health and eventually became a permanent resident at the MariaJoseph Center next door. She accepted her physical decline with the same grace that she accepted all of life — as an opportunity to do something beautiful for God and others.

“I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand” was a favorite Scripture passage for Margie. How appropriate for someone who used her hands so well throughout her life both in art and in service to her sisters and brothers.

At the time of Margie’s 25th Jubilee, she said, “Being a member of the Congregation means being part of a group of women with a terrific spirit of prayer, sharing whatever they have with each other and all in need.”

Sister Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Louis and is survived by her Precious Blood Community of Sisters and her nieces and nephew and their families.

Interment took place in the Salem Heights Cemetery.

Winter 2018

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In Memoriam

Sister Ann Catherine (M. Imelda) Merkle

4000 Denlinger Road Dayton, OH 45426-2399

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

Father Barry Fischer, CPPS, leads Lenten retreat at Salem Heights

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recious Blood Sisters began their Lenten journey this year with prayer and reflection led by Father Barry Fischer, CPPS. The theme of the retreat, Father Barry said, “is that Jesus comes to reveal the truth about God, the truth about ourselves, the truth about others. … There are lies the world tells us: that our worth is tied up in strength, beauty and wealth.

Jesus comes to tell us the truth: that we are made in God’s image and redeemed by his Precious Blood. The challenge is to live into that.”

Father Barry has served as moderator general of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and is currently rector of St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, where a team of administrators is working to “reengineer” the college for the future, following the suspension of operations in May 2017.  Top, Father Barry speaks during the retreat at Grace Hall, Salem Heights; Michelle Bodine photo. Bottom, Father Barry visits the grotto in the Salem Heights cemetery; Jean Giesige photo.

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