Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation started in 2000 when a few friends – priests of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood – sat down and shared their stories of ministry, of the suffering they had witnessed and experienced, and of their work for reconciliation. They shared stories of many years of jail ministry, of community renewal, of inner city parish work, of retreat ministry for reconciliation. Out of those shared experiences was born the dream of the Ministry of Reconciliation – what would it look like to have a ministry whose purpose was to work for healing and reconciliation in the midst of the violence and alienation of our world?

These friends – David Kelly, Denny Kinderman, Joe Nassal, and Bill Nordenbrock – decided it was a good time to commit to building that dream. Over the next two years they reflected, planned, and shared their ideas with other Precious Blood communities. The ministry would reach out to a community affected by violence in the city, and reach out in mission to the wider Church, working for healing and reconciliation in both. They chose the Back of the Yards/ New City neighborhood of Chicago as the place to live and work – a community that struggles with issues of poverty, gangs, and racial divisions. Sister Mary Louise Degenhart, a sister of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, joined the ministry in the spring of 2003.

Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation moved into a small office at St. Michael’s parish in December 2002. There PBMR began working with the Making Choices Group and the Hope and Healing Group. In the fall of 2003, Steve DeLaney began working part time with the Making Choices Program, and then came on full time a year later. In September 2004, PBMR moved a few blocks east into the former school of St. John of God at 51st and Elizabeth Streets. The building houses a collaborative effort including Catholic Charities, Youth Outreach Services, and Second Chance Alternative High School.

This space has become known as the Precious Blood Center, and has become a place of safety and welcome for many people and groups to gather, to pray, and to tell their stories.