The Sisters of the Precious Blood recently honored seven Sisters who are celebrating milestone anniversaries of entrance into the religious community. All the Jubilarians were recognized at a Mass and banquet July 1 at Salem Heights, the Congregation’s central house in Dayton.
July 1 is the traditional Catholic feast day of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Sisters of the Precious Blood were founded in Switzerland in 1834 and currently minister throughout the U.S. and in Chile and Guatemala. Their central house has been located on Salem Avenue in Dayton since 1923.
Sister Charlene Heidenreich — 80 years
Sister Noemí Flores — 60 years
Sister Paula Gero — 60 years
Sister Edna Hess — 60 years
Sister Joyce Lehman — 60 years
Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman — 60 years
Sister Judy Niday — 50 years
80 years
Sister Charlene Heidenreich (M. Charles) is originally from Dayton. She spent nearly four decades in ministry as an elementary teacher in Phoenix; Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and several locations in Ohio. She also spent two decades as a caregiver. She resides at Salem Heights, where she sings in the choir and devotes her time to prayer.
60 years
Sister Noemí Flores (Gloria Maria) is a native of Chile. Over the past decade, her ministry was in pastoral services in Cerro Navia, in northwest Santiago. In retirement she continues to conduct workshops and participate in the Assemblies of Major Superiors of Religious Men and Women of Chile.
Sister Paula Gero (Marilyn Kateri) is originally from Missouri. She ministered as an elementary and middle school teacher in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. She is also a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts and was active as a troop leader, neighborhood chair, trainer and camp director for 46 years. Sister Paula is currently a volunteer tutor at Brunner Literacy Center in Dayton.
Sister Edna Hess (Edna Marie) is from Mercer County, Ohio. She ministered in Chile for over 30 years and served as a congregational councilor from 2003-2011 and as president from 2019-2023. Currently she is a member of the board of directors for Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley and looking for additional opportunities to use her time and talents.
Sister Joyce Lehman (M. Leanne) is a native of Ottoville, Ohio. She currently serves as president of the Congregation, a position she previously held from 2011-2019. She also spent 10 years on the congregational council. She has ministered as a campus minister, pastoral minister, teacher and youth minister, as well as director for pastoral planning for the Diocese of Toledo.
Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman (M. Karen Edward) is a Dayton native. She continues to minister as director of the Institute for Liturgical Ministry, which she founded in 1990. She is an adjunct professor, frequent speaker and workshop facilitator in the areas of liturgy and spirituality. She is an award-winning author of numerous books and articles.
50 years
Sister Judy Niday ministered as an educator in preschool through sixth grade for 28 years; for 16 years, she served as a certified chaplain in hospitals and nursing homes. She was also a course facilitator and spiritual director for over a decade. Currently she continues as a spiritual director and ministers to infirmed Sisters residing in various nursing rehabilitation centers.
— Story by Mary Knapke
From top, Sisters Charlene Heidenreich, Noemí Flores, Paula Gero, Edna Hess, Joyce Lehman, Joyce Ann Zimmerman and Judy Niday; Michelle Bodine photos.
