“This Good Work” is the Congregation’s bi-monthly e-newsletter to give witness to Precious Blood Spirituality through the lens of social justice, rooted in Gospel values and Catholic social teaching. In it we share real, legitimate information and ways Sisters are thinking about and living out many issues of peace, justice and ecology. This is curated by Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator Jen Morin-Williamson and features articles by Sisters and guest writers.
The power of your vote
Unity during elections prayer service
Voting as spiritual discernment
The Uncommon Good
Voices from the Precious Blood Family
The power of your vote
By Jen Morin-Williamson, Peace, Justice, and Ecology Coordinator
As the election approaches, I want to remind everyone of the importance of voting in November. It’s not just a right — it’s our responsibility as engaged citizens. The representatives we elect and the laws they pass directly affect the issues we care about. Your participation in the legislative process is crucial to shaping the future.
The Sisters of the Precious Blood have a long tradition of advocating for just laws, particularly at the state and local levels, where decisions have the most direct impact on our communities. While we remain nonpartisan, we’re deeply concerned about recent efforts to restrict voter rights, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Protecting inclusive voter access is vital for the health of our democracy.
In sharing the voices from the Precious Blood family, I want to emphasize why voting is so crucial. Our Congregation has been actively educating our community about voter suppression and working alongside other organizations to advocate for fair voting practices. We encourage everyone to get involved because every vote truly makes a difference.
Unity during elections prayer service
By Jen Morin-Williamson, Peace, Justice, and Ecology Coordinator
Reflecting on the Congregational charism and mission, the Peace, Justice, and Ecology Committee considered how we, Sisters of the Precious Blood, might share the call of the Leadership Council of Women Religious to pray and to contemplate how we are to be in this time, especially considering the upcoming elections. Rooted in Eucharistic prayer since our founding, the Justice Committee recognized that inviting others to join us in prayer is a way to make visible our call to be “a reconciling, life-giving presence in our fractured world.” In these times of confusion, misinformation, anger, incivility, and violence, there is a deep longing for a quiet, safe space to “come away and rest awhile.” This can be our gift as we prepare for the elections.
We have already gathered for one prayer service on August 29 in the Chapel at Salem Heights. This was a time to acknowledge the sins of the world and pray for reconciliation, aligning ourselves with the spirit of Mother Brunner. We sought wisdom in our voting, asking God to guide us in discerning what is best for the common good of all people and our planet. We prayed for leadership by elected officials who are motivated to serve the common good. With confidence in God’s guidance, we left hopeful that our time of prayer, reflection, and discernment will lead us to make decisions that are just and life-giving.
We continue this journey with two more prayer services at Salem Heights Chapel on Wednesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 30, at 6:30 p.m. Click here to register.
Voting as spiritual discernment
By Sister Joanne Belloli, CPPS
When I prepare to vote, my approach is shaped by my dual roles as a licensed clinical social worker and a vowed religious sister. As a Sister of the Precious Blood, prayer is central to my decision-making. As a clinical social worker, I deeply listen to people, meet them where they are without judgment, and help them process their experiences toward better mental health.
I value listening to respected voices and educating myself. When considering candidates, I examine their personalities and behaviors: Are their thinking patterns generally positive or negative? Do they respect everyone, or do they disqualify certain groups? Are they inclusive and generous, or do they name-call, label and blame others? Do they exaggerate or downplay situations to support their positions? Do they see the world in black and white, or do they acknowledge its complexity? I believe we live in the gray areas. I value honesty, respect, and care for others, and I ask whether a candidate shares these values. How will they contribute to society, both domestically and internationally?
I bring all of this to prayer, laying out the pros and cons of each candidate. I listen to God and make a decision, then sit with that decision for a day or so to reflect on its impact on the good of the world. I go internally and ask myself: What is my history with the issues they address? How am I like or unlike this candidate? Where is the humanness in them and myself? I repeat this process for the alternative perspective as well.
Ultimately, I trust in my inner voice, believing it is where God is leading me. This is a spiritual movement for me, akin to spiritual discernment — a process of educating, praying, discerning and deciding. It has served me well, and I offer it to others as a humble suggestion for approaching this election season. I invite you to consider this method, allowing space for reflection and prayer as you discern the path that aligns with your values and the common good.
The Uncommon Good
By Sister Paula Gero, CPPS
You say to your neighbor, “I hate taxes.”
But: You love paved roads, bridges and traffic lights. You love firefighters and policemen, mayors and councilwomen. You are glad of the convenience, the safety you enjoy. You love taxes.
You complain to your neighbor, “Another school levy.”
But: You are equally annoyed by the ignorance you hear every day. You think, “Didn’t these people go to school? Didn’t they learn to think?” You vote for the levy.
You remark to your neighbor, “There ought to be a law.”
But there are laws: There are legislators, executive officials and judges. There are people who see problems and propose ways to solve them. Sometimes you think of a solution yourself. And you write to your senator.
You whine to your neighbor, “Poverty is endless.”
It is. But your church organizes a food pantry, and you donate that can of pumpkin you are never going to use. And a few other things.
You say to your (long-suffering) neighbor, “It’s a flawed system.”
Of course it is. We are human. We fall short of justice, we make selfish decisions, we suffer “giving fatigue.” There will always be problems. There will always be work for us.
One day you get up on the right side of the bed. The sun is shining, the laundry is done, and the checkbook balanced. You wave to your neighbor. It’s good to be alive.
Good. The good. It’s more common than you think.
Above right, illustration by Anthony Russo.
Voices from the Precious Blood Family
Sisters of the Precious Blood – Dayton
Missionaries of the Precious Blood
Precious Blood Spirituality Institute
“Why do I vote? I vote for the person who portrays service to our country and to our world, to meeting the needs of people [through avenues] such as health care and education, who conveys integrity and respect, for the person who is inclusive, and who is concerned for the care of the earth. I vote because I have the freedom and responsibility to do so. I vote hoping for a better neighborhood and world. I vote and pray for peace and for the good of all.” — Sister Judy Kroeger, CPPS
“To me, the entire message for voting the common good is summarized in the two resources from Network — multi-issue and aligned with Catholic Social Teaching. I vote the common good when I personally embrace the extravagant, unconditional love of our Creator God; follow Jesus’ way of universal love and inclusion calling each person to be their best self; and letting the Spirit fill my heart, feet and hands with fire for all my brothers and sisters in concert with Catholic Social teaching.” — Sister Margo Young, CPPS
“As an immigrant and naturalized citizen, I take seriously the privilege and responsibility of voting. As a Christian, my thoughtful vote helps me do what God asks of me — ‘To do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with our God.’” — Gabino Zavala, JPIC Director, United States Province of Precious Blood Missionaries
“I really firmly believe our democracy is on the line. My sacred right to vote comes from my experiences with my citizen immigrant brothers and sisters who voted while bullets were being sprayed at their feet to have democracy in their countries. So considering that, I’ve always considered it a duty and a sacred privilege to be able to vote after my conscience has been informed. I’d like to encourage all of you to do the same thing this year.” — Sister Mary Wendeln, CPPS
“I’d like to encourage all of us to vote this year to preserve democracy. It is so important in our history and our country right now that we vote our conscience to preserve the rights and freedoms of all peoples.” — Sister Mary Lou Schmersal, CPPS
“I am voting this year because I believe that we have the right, the privilege, and the duty, both as citizens and as members of the Catholic Christian community, to be concerned for the needs of all of our people. I am voting so that all have access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” — Sister Jeanette Buehler, CPPS
“I am voting this year as I vote every year because it is my right and responsibility as an American citizen. My responsibility is that I study the issues according to Catholic Social Teaching. I form my conscience that we can serve one another and have a better world for everyone to live in.” — Sister Marita Beumer, CPPS
“I vote because I believe in the democracy we have in the United States. I believe that I am making a difference. Sometimes, mostly in local races or issues, one vote can make a difference. Those who don’t vote have no right to complain when ‘their issue’ or ‘their candidate’ does not win. I vote for the issues and/or candidates that I believe reflect my values.” — Sister Ann Clark, CPPS
“My current engagement to exercise my vote was certainly enhanced after experiencing the 17 years of Chile’s brutal military dictatorship which began on September 11, 1973. Up until that time Chile had maintained one of the most stable democratic rules in Latin America and in Europe. It marked forever my sense of fragility of an apparent stable government.
“I clearly recall standing in line, first of all to participate in the plebiscite to vote down the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet; and then to vote in 1990 to elect the Christian Democrat candidate Patricio Aylwin to the presidency. Though we maintained our U.S. citizenship, our CPPS sisters’ and priests’ permanent residency in Chile entitled us to vote in local as well as national elections.
“In consideration of Pope Francis’s similar experience of dictatorship in Argentina during those same decades, I fully understand his encouragement of all of us to exercise our privilege of voting. He often repeats the statement of Pope Pius XI: ‘Politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good’.” — Father Tom Hemm, CPPS
“My parents taught me the importance of voting when I cast my first ballot at 18. They said, ‘You can’t complain about the country if you aren’t willing to voice your needs and concerns. That is what you do when you vote.’ Early on, I learned that allowing my voice to be heard by casting my vote is an enormous gift that I have been given as a citizen, and I should not take it for granted. All I need to do to remember this is to look at places in our world where people don’t have this opportunity and see how they are fighting to have their voices heard. That is the best wake-up call for me to be a responsible citizen and cast my vote.” — Vicky Otto, Executive Director, Precious Blood Spirituality Institute
“The right and responsibility of the vote is my personal expression of care for my neighbors. A thoughtfully considered vote is my opportunity to help shape a more just America.” — Nancy Clisbee, Precious Blood Companion, St. Joseph, Missouri
Voting as spiritual discernment
The Uncommon Good
Voices from the Precious Blood Family
“As an immigrant and naturalized citizen, I take seriously the privilege and responsibility of voting. As a Christian, my thoughtful vote helps me do what God asks of me — ‘To do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with our God.’” — Gabino Zavala, JPIC Director, United States Province of Precious Blood Missionaries