Missionaries of the Precious Blood welcomes Matthew Hess as congregation archivist
The Missionaries of the Precious Blood are pleased to announce that Matthew Hess has joined the community as congregation archivist. Matthew will be stationed at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio, overseeing and preserving the records, artifacts, and historical materials that tell the story of the congregation’s ministry and charism.
“Matthew brings not only an impressive background in history and theology, but also a deep appreciation for the Precious Blood spirituality,” says Fr. Jeffrey Kirch, C.PP.S., provincial director of the United States Province. “His expertise and passion for preserving our story will help us honor our past while preparing for our future.”
Matthew holds a Master of Arts in theological studies from the University of Dayton, with a concentration in historical theology. His thesis, “Precious Blood Charism and Active Ministry: How Sisters in Public Schools Influenced Religious Life,” reflects his long-standing interest in the Precious Blood community. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religion from Saint Joseph’s College in Indiana, with a minor in business administration.
Since 2016, Matthew has served as director of ministry at the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, where he curated collections, oversaw ministry staff, developed programs, and managed liturgical offerings. He is also a lecturer at the Athenaeum of Ohio: Mount St. Mary’s School of Theology, where he teaches adult students in theology and pastoral studies. Additionally, Matthew contributes to the Catholic Telegraph, sharing stories of Catholic life and history, and has taught catechetics at the high school level.
Matthew is the author of “Public and Parochial: How Sisters of the Precious Blood Shaped State-Funded Education in Ohio” (U.S. Catholic Historian, Spring 2021) and brings a strong skill set in recordkeeping, organization, and research.
The Missionaries warmly welcome Matthew Hess to his new role and look forward to the contributions that he’ll make toward preserving and sharing the congregation’s rich history.
On behalf of the entire congregation, we extend our gratitude to Fr. David Hoying. C.PP.S., for his work and tireless efforts with maintaining and updating the archives.