Congratualtions, Jubilarians!

Left, Sister Mary E. Wendeln speaks during the Jubilee Mass; middle, Sisters Jeannine Kloeker and Ceil Taphorn received their corsages; right, Sisters toast the Jubilarians during the banquet. Michelle Bodine photos

Nine Precious Blood Sisters celebrated milestone Jubilees this summer. Jubilee activities began with a prayer service on June 22 and continued with Mass and a banquet on June 23, the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).

Sister Joyce Lehman, President of the Congregation at the time, offered a toast during the Jubilee banquet. “Looking at our jubilarians, I think Mother Brunner would be really proud,” she said. “We toast in thanksgiving for these women who have given their lives to God in our company, and who have served generously — and entrust that the rest of their lives will continue to be one great ‘yes’ to all that is to be.”

Sister Charlene Heidenreich spoke for her class, saying “Sister Adeline and I thank God for giving us these 75 years to serve him as Sisters of the Precious Blood. We also thank you, our Sisters, who have journeyed and helped us on our journey.”

Speaking on behalf of the class of 1959, Sister Jeanette Buehler said: “Our hearts found a home with the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Through all these years, we have tried to share the bread of God’s gifts with the community. … Reflecting on our vows, I thought how much they are also implicitly like the marriage vows. We vow to each other in good times and bad, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, ’til death do us part — until heaven brings us all back together again.”

Celebrating 75 years
Sister Charlene Heidenreich ♦ Sister Adeline Mertz

Celebrating 60 years
Sister Jeanette Buehler ♦ Sister Jeannine Kloeker ♦ Sister Nancy Raley ♦ Sister Theresa Rizzo ♦ Sister Cecilia Taphorn
Sister Mary Lou Schmersal ♦ Sister Mary E. Wendeln

–Story by Mary Knapke

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