During a moving ritual at their annual assembly today, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood renewed their incorporation with the Congregation.
In his homily at the closing Mass of the assembly, Fr. Bill Nordenbrock, C.PP.S., said “When our hearts are empty of ourselves and full of God it gives us space to do God’s work.”
Missionaries also witnessed the pledged candidacy of Newton Lih, who now moves into a time of special formation as he continues to explore his vocation to religious life.
Newton, who was born in Taiwan and raised in California, has been in initial formation with the Congregation for the past year and a half, and living in its house of formation in Chicago. In special formation, he will spend two summers at the Precious Blood Renewal Center in Liberty, Mo., and St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio.
Newton said he is happy to be taking this step with the Missionaries. “Every step forward is a confirmation from the Community that my vocation is true,” he said. “I’m honored and grateful to grow in my life’s work with our Community. This coming year will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the lifeblood of our faith with our members and the ministries they serve.”