In Brief

Precious Blood Sisters have been busy with a variety of recent events. In all that we do, we strive to continue to fulfill our mission to proclaim God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.

Endings and New Beginnings: CPPS Sisters in Cleveland, 1908-2020
The Sisters of the Precious Blood have over a century of history in Cleveland, Ohio. The Sisters began their ministry in Cleveland at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in 1908 with four Sisters. At its peak in enrollment in 1953, the school had 1,273 students. Over 150 Sisters had been in ministry at Our Lady of Good Counsel when it closed in 1986.

Sisters were also involved in other ministries in Cleveland and the surrounding areas. They were students and professors at local colleges and universities; speech therapists; music teachers and tutors; domestic arts professionals; and hospital directors, to name a few. With the move of Sister Mary Ann Mozser to Salem Heights, our central house in Dayton, in November 2020, the Sisters closed their 112-year ministry in Cleveland. —Sarah Aisenbrey, CPPS Archivist

December 16 — The Sisters at Emma Hall, at the Maria Joseph Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, had a virtual Christmas party with Council and the Salem Heights Sisters. The Emma Hall Sisters each had an iPad so they could visit virtually with everyone. The Sisters were happy to see one another, catch up and send Christmas wishes and joy!

January 13 — Sister Terry Maher appeared on national television on CBS This Morning. Reporter David Begnaud spoke of how Sister Terry ministers to COVID-19 patients in their final hours of life. We send our prayers of gratitude and support Sister Terry’s way as she continues to walk this journey day after day with terrified patients and families suffering through the devastating effects of the coronavirus.

January 20 — The Sisters of the Precious Blood congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration. In this time of division and unrest in our country, we pray for our country and for our elected leaders. May division become unity and the unrest lead to peace with reconciliation. This is a daunting task to be accomplished over time, with each person doing their part. We must all begin today. Not to be overlooked is the coronavirus pandemic that is now ravaging our country. Only with citizens and leaders working together will we be able to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” (Preamble to U.S. Constitution). We renew our commitment to the common good. We pray daily that the healing may begin and that the United States will be, once again, a light to others in our world.

January 29 — The Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC) sent a letter of thanks to the Congregation for our recent donation. Their 2021 calendar, Nuns Just want to Have FUNdamental Rights for All, features Sister Mary E. Wendeln in the month of February! The calendar serves as a reminder of the incredible work of religious sisters in Greater Cincinnati, many of whom are connected to IJPC.

Top, convent renovation at Our Lady of Good Council, Cleveland, Ohio, August 1949. Left side: Sisters Mary Estella Raub and Laurene [Mary Liliosa] Hemmelgarn. Right side: Sisters Mary Phyllis Esser and Mary Doreen Inkrott; CPPS archive photo. Second, Sister Albertina Laux poses with Christmas cakes she made at Our Lady of Good Council, Cleveland, Ohio, in November 1965. Sister Albertina was the cook at Our Lady of Good Council from 1963 to 1977; CPPS archive photo. Third, Sister Edna Hess celebrates Christmas with the Sisters at Emma Hall via Zoom; Sarah Aisenbrey photo. Fourth, Sister Terry Maher ministers to COVID-19 patients; CBS This Morning photo. Fifth, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris; contributed photo. Bottom, the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center 2021 calendar features Sister Mary E. Wendeln in the month of February; contributed photo.

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