Rev. Letitia Ann “Tish” Rawles passed into the arms of Jesus on August 31, 2017.
Born in Tennessee, Tish was in love with God from her earliest years. She was nurtured and taught to pray by an African-American Nanny to understand that no matter what she did in life, God loved her immensely. This intense faith allowed her to listen for the call of her beloved Jesus throughout her life in every place she landed on her journey. She was married to the service of our Loving God through ministering to those who needed a loving friend, mentor, therapist, and priest.
Tish moved with her Mother to northern Ohio, and went to St. Mary of the Woods Elementary. During this time, she was Baptized and Confirmed, met the Sisters of the Precious Blood from Dayton, and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word from Cleveland. She followed God’s call and entered the Incarnate Word Sisters in 1968, teaching grades 3-8 for 18 years.
While visiting family in Tennessee, Tish found out that her father was part Cherokee Native American, and treasured this aspect of her life very deeply. Her Native American name was “Quiet Fox.” She was a member of the Three Spirits Band, served on Tribal Council twice, and participated in many tribal ceremonies. She was deeply drawn to Native Spirituality, nature, animals, and all creatures, especially cats. Tish was a living example of the spirit of giving, passionately sharing her skills, affections, and profoundly affecting those whose lives she touched.
Tish felt her service to the people of God changing, and transitioned religious Communities to the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio. She broadened her education, received a Master’s Degree in Counseling, with numerous Certificates in specialized areas such as: Addiction Counseling, Juvenile Justice, and Marriage Counseling. She served in several agencies and community programs throughout the Cincinnati area for many years with her deeply compassionate spirit. She worked with the Cincinnati /Hamilton County Courts programs for women from abusive situations and suffering from substance and alcohol abuse. She served on the Anti-Trafficking Commission, Committee to Abolish the Death Penalty in Ohio, and volunteered on the Spiritual Care Team of the American Red Cross.
Tish learned about the Association for Roman Catholic Women Priests in 2011, and again felt the call to once again take a step forward in her spiritual life. She was accompanied by several other ARCWP women priests in the Cincinnati area, and was ordained on May … in Cincinnati, Ohio. She immersed herself in her ministry of comforting the sick and dying at her Assisted Living home and brought the Sacraments and Liturgy to them as well as other places in the city. Tish fiercely fought her many health issues to joyfully connect with those in need of spiritual comfort. Her ARCWP sister and brother Priests treasured Tish’s presence, and know she is forever a helping powerhouse as we move forward on our journey. Aligning her place for burial with her Native traditions, she chose a Green Burial, where many old-time friends attended with reverence and joy for her new Life. We in ARCWP are forever blessed by Tish’s presence among us. Knowing Tish and her immense generosity has touched our lives, and we feel her presence among us every day.