Singing Our Alleluias!

by Fr. Timothy Armbruster, C.PP.S., Vocation Director
Our Alleluia’s could be heard throughout the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.  This year’s Los Angeles Religious Education Conference, held Feb 24-26, was for a change ahead of Lent.  It was truly a celebration to be able to sing our praises to God.  This was my first time attending and what a joy it was!  I took the opportunity to attend some great workshops and reconnect with a couple profs from CTU, namely Fr. Ed Foley and Sr. Barbara Reid.  Fr. Ed in two different workshops covered Prophetic Preaching and in the other Adoration.  Sr. Barbara presented a workshop focused on reading scripture through the mind, eyes and heart of a women.  Both were classes of the past, but was great to hear again.
The main liturgies in the arena were truly a celebration.  Each one focused on different issues facing the church today, namely Immigration and Refuges and care of the earth, among other things.  The final liturgy on Sunday brought everything together as the celebration began with the Entrance welcoming everyone.  As the procession began, the liturgical dancers moved with grace and beauty with white flowing dress and bright spring colors.  The deacons joined the procession hand in hand with their wives.  The book of the Gospel was proudly displayed as the living word of God.  The whole event was alive with spirit and energy.  At the preparation of the gifts, the altar was dressed with long flowing cloths of native colors.  A white square cloth was placed atop the colors and the large baskets of bread and jugs of wine were carried in by men and women dressed in native colors and dress.  It was bringing forth the gifts of the community.
The Congress began with Youth Day on Thursday, Feb 23.  The theme of Youth Day was What Are You Waiting For?  The theme of the Congress was Embrace Trust.  Archbishop José Gomez welcomed us at the Opening Ceremony and tied the two themes together with the challenge of “What are you waiting for? Embrace Trust!” Now Go! He also left us with the question, “What is holding you back?” As we now begin this season of Lent and put away the Alleluias for a time, what is holding us back?  The energy and spirit of the weekend is what I needed to kick start this Lent and refocus again on mission and ministry.

Are you Ready for Ash Wednesday?

by Vicky Otto, Director of Precious Blood Companions

When I was a child, I always dreaded Ash Wednesday because I had a heck of a time trying to figure out what to give up for Lent.  Like most of my friends, I usually stuck with the “I’ll give up chocolate” only to gorge on Easter chocolate with a vague remembrance of why I did it in the first place.  I have a different perspective regarding Lent now. A priest friend told me once that Lent means “Springtime.”  We celebrate the new birth of Christ through his resurrection and death to the things in us that are not Christ like.  So what do we need to let die this Lent?

Many years ago, I received a short article called “Keeping a Holy Lent” written by William Arthur Ward.  Ward challenged me then and challenges me every time I read this regarding what I need to “give up” during the Lenten season.  As we prepare to enter the great season of Lent consider:
  • Fasting from judging others, feasting on Christ dwelling in them.
  • Fasting from the emphasis on differences, feasting on our oneness with others.
  • Fasting from the darkness around us, feasting on the Light of Christ.
  • Fasting from thoughts of illness, feasting on the healing power of God.
  • Fasting from words that pollute, feasting on words that purify.
  • Fasting from discontent, feasting on gratitude.
  • Fasting from pessimism, feasting on optimism.
  • Fasting from withholding anger, feasting on sharing feelings in love.
  • Fasting from worry and living in the future, and feasting on trust.
  • Fasting from guilt, feasting on freedom and forgiveness.
  • Fasting from complaining, feasting on appreciation.
  • Fasting from stress, feasting on self-care and peace.
  • Fasting from hostility, feasting on letting go.
  • Fasting from bitterness, feasting on acceptance.
  • Fasting from selfishness, feasting on compassion.
  • Fasting from discouragement, feasting on hope.
  • Fasting from apathy, feasting on enthusiasm.
  • Fasting from suspicion, feasting on seeing the good and beautiful.
  • Fasting from idle gossip, feasting on spreading good news.
  • Fasting from problems that overwhelm, feasting on God’s strength.
  • Fasting from talking, feasting on listening.
  • Fasting from trying to be in control, feasting on letting go.
Let us pray that through our Lenten journey we may be created anew. Happy feasting and fasting during Lent!

You can learn more about Precious Blood Companions at https://preciousbloodkc.org/join-us/companions/

Bishop Sullivan Center

Precious Blood Volunteer, Martin Echtler, serving dinner at the Bishop Sullivan Center


The Bishop Sullivan Center’s mission is to provide basic necessities to people who are unable to do so, and to assist those who are able to become financially self-sufficient by finding employment. The Bishop Sullivan Center’s Troost location is located in the heart of Kansas City at 39th St. and Troost Ave. and provides food for those are hungry, assistance for those who need it, job training/placement for those looking for work, air conditioners for the elderly and emergency assistance. On weekday evenings the Bishop Sullivan Center hosts meals at their Community Kitchen where people can be nourished by food and community.
The Bishop Sullivan Center has two other locations in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. They are one of the largest distributors of food and emergency assistance in the Kansas City area.
As a Precious Blood Volunteer serving at the Bishop Sullivan Center you will have the opportunity to walk with and serve others in a variety of ways. They include supervising the community kitchen, working with the Kansas City Medicine Cabinet, helping out with the food pantry and assisting in their job placement/training program. This placement is for you if you are looking for a career in social services, non-profits or ministry.
You can learn more about the Bishop Sullivan Center by going to their website.
Read a reflection by former Precious Blood Volunteer, Nora O’Connell, about her experience at the Bishop Sullivan Center here.
You can apply to serve as a Precious Blood Volunteer at the Bishop Sullivan Center on our Apply Page.

2017 Human Development Fund Application Available

by Fr. Joe Uecker, C.PP.S., Human Development Fund Chairperson
The application for the province Human Development Fund is available for 2017. The  application packet is available at the link below. Completed applications are due by May 1, 2017.
The criteria for the Human Development Fund include demonstrated need and a connection to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Requests up to $10,000 can be requested. Projects in the United States not directed by C.PP.S. or A.S.C. members will be funded for a maximum of three years. After that the project leaders are to seek funding from other sources. Other projects will be judged on an individual basis. Human Development Fund awards will be announced in July 2017.
The application is available here.

Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation

Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR) works towards reconciliation and healing with those in the Chicago community and our Church who have been impacted by violence and conflict. PBMR’s ministries reach out to the victim, the wrongdoer, and the community to create a safe space where healing can begin and where people can find the support and encouragement needed to begin reconciliation. They strive to be a resource to the community to find restorative ways to heal and rebuild after violence and conflict.
PBMR serves people in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s south side. It is a collaborative ministry of the Cincinnati and Kansas City Provinces of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
As a Precious Blood Volunteer serving at PBMR you will have the opportunity to walk with and serve others in a variety of ways. They include mentoring, tutoring, advocacy, and being part of restorative justice efforts. This placement is for you if you are looking for a career in the ministry, social work, law, advocacy or education.
You can learn more about PBMR by going to their website.
Read a story by current Precious Blood Volunteer, Leah Landry, about the creation of the mural in the Mother Brunner House at PBMR here.
Read a reflection by current Precious Blood Volunteer, Hector Avitia, about community living in Chicago here.
Read a reflection by former Precious Blood Volunteer, Bonnie Kane, about her experience at PBMR here.
You can apply to serve as a Precious Blood Volunteer at PBMR by going to our “Apply” page.