Sister of the Precious Blood celebrates 60 years of religious life
DAYTON — Sister Martha Bertke, C.PP.S., made her profession as a Sister of the Precious Blood, in Dayton on August 15, 1961. This year she celebrates her 60th anniversary.
“As a Sister of the Precious Blood, I have dedicated myself to God, to serving others and to being a life-giving presence to people,” she said.
Sister Martha, originally from Maria Stein, Ohio, lived on the family dairy farm with her parents, one sister and four brothers. Following her graduation from Marion Local High School she worked at Celina Group Insurance Company for two years. Then she moved to Dayton to begin her formation in religious life and further her education. She attended the University of Dayton where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. For 10 years she taught in Catholic schools in Dayton; Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and Ottawa, Ohio.
During her teaching years, for four summers, she studied at Webster University in St. Louis, acquiring a master’s degree in education.
Sister Martha changed her ministry from classroom educator to that of being a Director of Religious Education (DRE). For 21 years Sister Martha served in that capacity at various parishes in Michigan and Ohio. “These were wonderful, challenging and exciting years! How blessed I was to be a part of the spiritual formation of so many people,” she said. She worked together with pastors, parish staff members, teachers and catechists, and served on parish councils and a variety of committees. To remain knowledgeable of current theology and the teachings of the Catholic faith, during 10 summers she took courses at the University of Notre Dame.
Sister Martha, who holds a certificate in pastoral ministry, served as pastoral associate for nine years, working with and providing pastoral care as she directed adult education programs; organized faith sharing groups and retreats; directed the Baptism program; visited the sick in hospitals and nursing homes and those who were homebound; led communion services; and involved people in social justice concerns.
After serving in Catholic parishes for 40 years, she took a 100-day sabbatical program near Santa Fe, New Mexico, to be renewed and refreshed. In 2015, she was asked to be the manager of the thennewly created apartments for seniors at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, which she did for nearly 10 years. Returning to Mercer County to live and work, after being away for many years, made her appreciate her family background even more. To work closely with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood was another rich blessing in her life.
Now in her retirement, she is a volunteer chaplain at Mercer Health Hospital, serves on several committees and boards of directors, and prays daily for her family, community and many others.
In addition to her years of ministry, Sister Martha had numerous opportunities to travel to various places which enriched her life. She visited several shrines, including the National Shrine in Washington, D.C., the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, and the St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal in Canada. Twice she traveled with other Sisters to Italy, Austria and Switzerland, and she said visiting St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City was very special.
Sister Martha said she loves being a Sister, that it is a good life, and she is very grateful to God for calling her to be a Sister of the Precious Blood.
She is among 15 Sisters who in 2020 and 2021 celebrated milestone anniversaries of entrance into the religious community. All the Sisters were recognized at a Mass and banquet Oct. 3 at Salem Heights, the Congregation’s central house in Dayton.