Precious Blood Companion recognized by Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Companion Mark Giesige, the Missionaries’ mission coordinator, was presented with the Spirit of Sr. Dorothy Stang Award during a Mass on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, Ohio.

The annual award, given by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN), is in memory Sr. Dorothy Stang SNDdeN, a Dayton native (and aunt of our Fr. William Stang, CPP.S.) who was in ministry for nearly 40 years with the indigenous people of Brazil before she was murdered in 2005 in the rain forest she loved and protected. The award honors those who exemplify the values of Sr. Dorothy Stang, including solidarity with those in need, and a love for Jesus and his mission.

Mark was nominated by Immaculate Conception, his home parish. The pastor, Fr. Rob Muhlenkamp, said during the presentation that the parish nominated Mark because of his “dedication, generosity and missionary heart.” Mark coordinates the parish’s twinning relationship in La Labor, Guatemala, where Missionaries of the Precious Blood are in ministry, as well as relationships between the faith communities of La Labor and many other parishes in the U.S.

Mark has shown “a missionary heart in working with the people of La Labor, sharing life with them over the years, helping them with our nutrition project, and working alongside the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in many other capacities.”

Mark has served the Missionaries for many years as co-director of Companions then director of mission advancement. He stepped down from that role earlier this year but continues to work part-time for the U.S. Province, acting as a liaison between the province and ministry sites of the Latin American Province and the mission in Vietnam. He will travel to Vietnam in November.

Mark said he shares the award with the Missionaries, and with the community’s generous benefactors who have always supported its missionary work with generosity and compassion.