Last spring, Michael Vanderburgh, executive director at the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dayton District, reached out to the administration team here at Salem Heights — the Congregation’s central house in Dayton — about the possibility of hosting a group of missionary women during their visit to the Dayton area.
He indicated that there was a group of men and women, but the men would stay at another facility. With our close connection with SVDP and having the awareness of all of the services that they provide, our administration team at Salem Heights approved the visit with great enthusiasm.
Christ in the City is a Catholic Missionary apostolate church that serves St. Vincent shelters by sending men and women missionaries to minister to the SVDP staff and homeless guests. This setup occurs yearly and lasts for about three weeks.
A group of five missionary women from Christ in the City stayed at Salem Heights from May 17 to June 6, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by both the Sisters and the young women. Nancy Reichert, the team leader of this group of women, was our primary contact for any questions. Her group of young adolescent missionaries dedicate a year of service to know, love and serve the homeless. Nancy shared that as missionaries, “we believe that the root of homelessness is a ruptured relationship, and we seek to heal that rupture through encountering the homeless and building a real friendship with them.”
Companionship is important to this group of adolescents, and it was asked if the men missionaries could visit in the evenings periodically to play cards with the women, or even just to chat. Tuesdays and Thursdays were offered to their group as days that they could come together to build their companionship and enjoy cards and games in the evening.
During their stay at Salem Heights, some of the women attended Mass in the Chapel with the Sisters on May 19. After being here at Salem Heights for a week, five missionary women and seven missionary men attended Mass and stayed for dinner on May 26. Many Sisters shared what a fun and exciting time that was for them.
Prior to departing from Salem Heights, the Sisters and this group of women shared a delightful breakfast with one another. Sister Martha Bertke snapped pictures of the laughs, smiles and pure joy shared among everyone.
— Story by Sheena McCormick
Five missionary women from Christ in the City; Sister Martha Bertke photo.