Sister Dolores Keller received a 2016 Outstanding Caregiver Award during the annual White Mass on Nov. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati.
Sister Dolores was recognized for her work as a volunteer for the Precious Blood Sisters living the Maria Joseph Center in Dayton. Sister Dolores visits the Sisters every weekday afternoon to simply be present with them and other lay residents on the floor.
“Sister Dee provides a ‘listening ear’ to not only our Sisters, but also the lay residents,” Precious Blood Sister Gerri McGeorge, coordinator of the Sisters at Maria Joseph, said in nominating Sister Dolores for the award. “Her compassionate presence is demonstrated through the ability to listen to each person, to laugh with them, or just be present to them. Sister Dee accepts each person for who God made them to be.”
Award recipients were also celebrated at a reception following the Mass. The award was sponsored by the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Chains, Catholic Charities of Cincinnati and The Order of Malta.
Sister Dolores, a former emergency department chaplain at three hospitals, admits she was surprised with the award.
“I do what I do because that’s who I am,” she said. “I was humbled.”
Story by Dave Eck
From left, Sisters Gerri McGeorge, Dolores Keller and Charlene Heidenreich at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Chains for the 2016 White Mass. Contributed photo