Monthly e-newsletter giving witness to our Precious Blood Spirituality, grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and Gospel values
Aug. 4th Anniversary Mass of Oregon District Mass Shooting
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Sr. Joanne Belloli, Howell, MI, Aug. 2016
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Healing and Hope
Just over one year ago, on Aug. 4, 2019, 10 people (including the perpetrator) were killed in a mass shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District. On Aug. 4 this year, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and Archdiocese of Cincinnati commemorated the tragedy with a Mass of healing and hope at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Sister Linda Pleiman attended the Mass. “As Sisters of the Precious Blood, we are called to be a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world. The mass shooting in the Oregon District certainly created a fracture within our local community — by being here today, we can show with our presence and our prayers that we support those families who lost a loved one that day. And we also keep in mind all the families that lose loved ones to gun violence throughout the year,” she said. Read More
Precious Blood Sister Jean René Hoying said, “Living a few blocks from the Oregon District, I’ve been reminded many times this past year of the August 4th tragedy. The Mass of healing was an opportunity for me to be in solidarity with all those who suffered the loss of loved ones.”
“I’m grateful to those who organized and took part in the Mass,” said Colleen Kammer. “Acts of violence harm our human family in ways we may not totally understand. Obvious is the physical loss, such as that experienced by an employee of the Sisters of the Precious Blood who suffered the death of her niece, Lois Oglesby, that day. Our Gospel call to solidarity is the gift of healing to one another that comforts and builds resiliency, community and hope.”
Ten candles were lit at the church for those killed, and were left burning throughout the week “as we lift their memory to the Lord. We pray for their families and friends, and for our community, that we may experience God’s healing love and the grace of the Holy Spirit,” presider Father Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S., said during Mass.
Sisters who reside at Salem Heights, our central house in Dayton, were not able to attend in person, as they continue to shelter in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A livestream of the Mass was made available online for those who could not attend in person.
By Mary Knapke
Communications assistant
Colleen Kammer, Sisters Jean Rene Hoying and Linda Pleiman at the Mass of healing and hope at Holy Trinity Catholic Church; photos by Mary Knapke.
Gem City Market sees progress
Construction is moving right along on the Gem City Market, the supermarket that will be located on lower Salem Avenue, just a few miles from Salem Heights, our central house in Dayton. As contributors to the market venture, the Congregation has followed its progress over the past few years.
“As a Congregation, we have always ministered where the needs of the time call us,” said Sister Patty Kremer, vice president of the Congregation. “We are happy to support the Gem City Market and play a part in bringing a full-service grocery to an area that has struggled as a food desert for many years.”
A total of over $4 million in grants was raised to construct the market building, with funding coming from foundations, businesses, individual donors, and city, state and federal funds. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, completion dates are not set for each step in the construction process, but the goal is that the market will open early next year. Read More
“As Sisters of the Precious Blood we have defined our mission in part as being a ‘life-giving presence,’” said Sister Joyce Lehman, former president of the Congregation. “Food is so essential to life, and in the United States where it is estimated that we throw away 40% of the food produced, it makes no sense that there are those among us who get up, work each day and still go to bed hungry because food is not easily available. We feel that our support of the market as a Congregation is one way we can be that life-giving presence.”
In addition to groceries, the market will also include a café, clinic and teaching kitchen. As a cooperative, the market is open to the public but owned and controlled by its members. Profits and earnings generated by the co-op are distributed amongst the members, and an individual can become a member of the co-op by purchasing a share, according to the market’s website.
The market is also developing a local procurement plan; its goal is to ensure that at least 15% of store sales come from local vendors.
By Mary Knapke
Communications assistant
Sister Patty Kremer and Colleen Kammer with Amaha Sellassie, Gem City Market board president, at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2019; photo by R.Leigh Photos. Contributed photos from Gem City Market, above (in slider), show construction progress.
Mental health, substance abuse and COVID-19
Fear, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, loneliness, isolation, unemployment, underemployment, memories of unpleasant times — these are issues seen in mental health and substance abuse treatment within our agency since the onset of COVID-19.
I have ministered as a mental health and substance abuse therapist for 25 years, including outpatient treatment with Brighton Recovery Center and 17 years with Livingston County Catholic Charities in Howell, Michigan.
Our CPPS Way of Life states: “we endeavor to bring life, to nourish, to free, to heal, to reconcile.” These are values I attempt to exhibit in my work with others. They are values I assist others in identifying in their personal lives so that they may grow as caring individuals within their families, among friends and in society. Read More
At Livingston County Catholic Charities, some of our clients have found the restrictions during the pandemic to be paralyzing; using coping strategies has become difficult. Parents have increased anxiety regarding children going back to school, home schooling and choices to make. We also noted increased anxiety among the senior populations served by the agency. Some experienced increased depression due to isolation from others or difficulty seeing family members. Those with chronic medical conditions feared getting COVID-19.
Some of our clients experienced increased irritability, loss of a positive attitude and loss of hope that things will change. With minimal interpersonal interactions, having more time with minimal activities and additional family stress, some may relapse into old thinking and behaviors. Some individuals returned to alcohol consumption and/or their drugs of choice. Strategies for sober living needed to be again considered.
The task of therapists and other staff is to listen attentively and assist others in considering alternative coping strategies and implementing them in ways of healthy decision-making, healthy choices and healthy activities.
Staff also became aware of their own personal vulnerabilities related to the pandemic. Each day coming to work meant temperature checks, answering various questions, face coverings and social distancing. This also meant creating emotional boundaries and making choices that support relaxation — listening to music, reading books, taking walks, completing puzzles, enjoying family, getting proper sleep, eating healthy food.
These are activities recommended for our clients and staff, calling each to LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME, trusting that God will bring healing and reconciliation where needed or desired.
By Sister Joanne Belloli, C.PP.S.
Mental health and substance abuse therapist
Livingston County Catholic Charities
Photos by Rich Kalonick
Seeking a home for the marginalized
Our country is built on immigrants; yes, our first Sisters were immigrants. I have worked with Latino and undocumented communities since 1980 when I began ministering in Arizona. I now serve at Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio as a Department of Justice accredited representative, someone who has the legal authority to assist immigrants with information and advice on immigration law and consular processing.
The last three years in the immigration world have been like a roller coaster ride. As one of my colleagues pointed out, “It is like the immigration process is slowly, deliberately disappearing.”
Draconian measures by the present administration include the separation of families at the border, an increase in fees, implementation of the “public charge,” dismantling the asylum process piece by piece, and punishing asylum seekers by forcing them to wait for their hearings in Mexico. The majority of denied asylum cases sent our brothers and sisters home to violence-ridden countries. Some are killed. Read More
One bright light remained. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program issued by the Obama administration in 2012 permitted those brought here by their parents before their 16th birthday to receive a work permit, renewable every two years. Applicants are eligible for a social security card, which permits them to work legally, apply for a driver’s license, and put the title and plates of the family car in their name.
In 2017, the Trump administration ended the DACA program. For those living in the U.S. under the program, their worst fears had come true.
Since the Trump administration announced on September 5, 2017, that it was ending DACA, several lawsuits were filed against the administration for terminating DACA unlawfully. As a result, three nationwide injunctions issued by U.S. district courts — in California, New York and the District of Columbia — have allowed people who have previously held DACA status to renew their deferred action.
On June 28, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review those legal challenges. The Supreme Court’s long-awaited decision on June 18, 2020, directed the present administration to reinstate the DACA program; however, the Department of Homeland Security may still lawfully terminate DACA if it follows the proper procedures.
What joy and exuberance at the positive, yet flawed, decision! Many relieved DACA recipients celebrated, while other DACA recipients feared the worst for the future of DACA. Meanwhile, eligible DACA applicants began preparing their initial applications.
The bubble burst on July 28 when the present administration announced the suspension of initial applications and other aspects of the program, including reducing the renewal of DACA from two years to one. As I sent emails to four people I advise who are DACA-eligible, I reflected on the significance of the word DACA. For me it means 700,000+ lives longing for a home and immigration reform for their families.
Precious Blood Spirituality and the call of the Gospel are a part of my DNA. I can only respond to the needs of the time and walk in solidarity with my marginalized brothers and sisters.
By Sister Mary E. Wendeln, C.PP.S.
Department of Justice accredited representative
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio
Sister Mary E. Wendeln reviews immigration papers with Lakh Rai; photo by Erin Bruemmer. Group photo above (in slider) – the Sisters of the Precious Blood receive the Organization of the Year Award from Su Casa Hispanic Center of Cincinnati, 2014. Sister Mary E. Wendeln center, black and white dress; photo by The Catholic Telegraph/E.L. Hubbard.
Healing and Hope
Mental health, substance abuse and COVID-19
Seeking a home for the marginalized