That feeling resurfaced recently during a study of Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”) at the Precious Blood Renewal Center, led by Fr. Ron Will, C.PP.S. Pope Leo XIV’s first formal document as pope, the apostolic exhortation is a continuation of Pope Francis’ work and emphasized that love for Christ is inseparable from love for the poor. Charitable works, Leo writes, are “the burning heart of the Church’s mission” (15).
As the women read and discussed the text together, its emphasis on love expressed through concrete action struck a deep chord. “It spoke to us,” Wynona says. All three women have been Precious Blood Companions for decades. Over that time, the spirituality of the Precious Blood — especially its insistence on the dignity of those on the margins — has shaped how they see both faith and responsibility.
Although prayer, Scripture reading, and discussions were an integral part of faith life, Lynda says she had a nagging feeling that she should be doing more, and Dilexi Te intensified those feelings. “I got this great guilt over the three gospels that have been causing me angst for years — the good Samaritan, the story of Lazarus, and the rich young man. They kind of make you squirm.”
The three women approached Sacred Heart’s pastor, Fr. Andrew Kleine, and asked for time before the parish council. “We talked among ourselves about how we were going to do it,” Wynona says. “Each one of us would pick out something in that report that spoke to us. We weren’t gentle. We wanted to make our point.”
With Fr. Andrew’s support, the group received approval to move forward under the name Dilexi Te Outreach Committee, a title Fr. Andrew suggested.
Though still in its early stages, the committee already includes additional members involved in food distribution and meal delivery. The group’s initial focus will be to support existing community programs, including food pantries, homeless shelters, the Clothes Closet, meal programs run by area churches, and more. “All of these places can use a little extra help,” Wynona says.
Additionally, the women see unmet needs within the parish itself, for example, supporting caregivers for aging parents, grandchildren, or family members with special needs. During the days of COVID isolation, the parishioners made phone calls to elderly community members to ensure they didn’t become isolated. Now they can visit in person.
The Dilexi Te Outreach Committee is an extension of smaller actions they’ve taken over the years, encouraged by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
Homelessness has touched Wynona in a personal way. “There was a guy begging for money downtown one day,” she remembers. “I had no money. But I spent 20 minutes talking to him and meeting him. I had never done that before.” She remembered hearing Fr. Joe Nassal, C.PP.S., talk about a homeless man selling newspapers on the street. “I remembered that,” she says. “He stopped and talked to him and gave him dignity by learning his name and calling him by name.” When Wynona learned a friend had become homeless, she reached out and offered a place to live.
Iris was encouraged years ago by Fr. Joe Bathke, C.PP.S., to write to her cousin’s son, who was incarcerated. She sent him books of faith and personal letters. “He’s out of prison now, and I still text my cousin every once in a while, and I ask how he’s doing. He’s still in my prayers.” Although macular degeneration has limited her activity, she still contributes in ways she is able. She hopes her involvement encourages others facing limitations of their own.
Now the ambitions are larger, but their goal is not to do everything themselves. “I’d rather have a hundred people doing one small thing,” Lynda says, “than the three of us trying to do it all.” They have implemented “First Share” weekends, when parishioners bring nonperishable food items to be donated. They also have a box fashioned by a parishioner to collect donations that will be given to a local agency chosen by the committee every three months. A new project in the works is organizing crocheters and knitters to make hats and scarves for the homeless this winter.
Lynda says, “A lot of what Precious Blood members have said over the years just worms its way into your brain and stays there. I think of Fr. Barry Fisher saying, ‘Get off your donkeys!’” Not only did these three Precious Blood Companions get off their donkeys, but now they’re extending their hands to others to get off and get to work serving.
Fr. Ron Will, C.PP.S., says, “These three ladies are doing exactly what I had hoped our discussion group at Precious Blood Renewal Center would lead to. They are taking steps to love the poor in significant ways. I love it when Lynda says that she would rather have a hundred people doing one small thing than the three of them trying to do it all. They are inviting parishioners to take small and doable steps. Those small steps will lead to each of them discovering fulfillment in loving and serving the poor. Pope Leo would be proud of them.”