Missionaries of the Precious Blood, United States Province

Happy birthday to Sr. Martha Bertke, who ministered with us for many years. In her retirement, she continues to find many ways to serve the people of God. Happy birthday, Sr. Martha! You are a gift.

During their annual visit to the Vatican, representatives of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) had the opportunity to greet Pope Francis after his weekly general audience. This included our provincial director, Fr. Jeffrey Kirch, C.PP.S., (back row, center) who also serves as president of the CMSM.

Our Fr. Jeff Kirch, C.PP.S., was in meetings in Rome this week. May God bless the work of the CMSM, safe travels to all as they head back home.

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph, a saint of great significance for our Congregation and many others.

St. Joseph is a good role model for us all, said our Fr. Joe Bathke, C.PP.S., “because he was able to hold in his heart things that were difficult without allowing them to destroy him or the people he loved.”

That requires wisdom, and patience. “In our world today, we find it hard to have a conversation with people, to just listen to what they have to say, without trying to bury them with our own opinions,” he said. “Joseph, I think, would be a good example of someone who held things in his heart. He’s a good example for how we can navigate the challenges of the world today.”

Fr. Joe said he likes to think about the holy family making its way through life the same way we do, one day at a time: “Joseph and Mary weren’t given any special gifts other than what they naturally had. Through their own faith, they put one foot in front of the other and trusted that everything was going to work out.”