Donation helps build a home in Trotwood

The leadership Council of the Sisters of the Precious Blood recently approved a significant contribution toward the total build cost of a house currently under construction in Trotwood. The donation was made to Catch the Building Spirit, a partnership of Catholic and Presbyterian churches working in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton.

The Sisters of the Precious Blood presented the donation to Catch the Building Spirit and Habitat for Humanity, as well as the family who will be the home’s owners, in a small ceremony at the house site on Oct. 7. The Sisters were represented by Sister Edna Hess, president; Sister Ann Clark and Sister Marla Gipson, councilors; Sister Paula Gero; Sister Madonna Ratermann and staff member Phil Hartke.

Each year, Catch the Building Spirit, a coalition of over 20 Catholic parishes and 10 Presbyterian churches, works in the Dayton area to finance and build one new house. The group has been active since 1993 and became a registered nonprofit organization in 1996.

Part of the mission of Catch the Building Spirit is to show the love and power of God in practical ways, which the Sisters of the Precious Blood believe to be closely aligned with the Congregation’s mission to proclaim God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.

“We are proud of the work both Catch the Building Spirit and Habitat for Humanity do to help families have decent housing,” Sister Edna said during the presentation. “We are especially pleased that this is happening here in Trotwood since we are also residents of Trotwood and we call this home.”

Story by Mary Knapke