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The Rule of Benedict teaches that joy is what orients Benedictines towards others. Joy connects us to God. Joy sustains us through life. Spirit of Joy gives witness to the joy of community with one another, family, friends and oblates through prayer, ministry and daily life. It is a clear reminder that God is the source of our joy and our joy is an “infallible sign of the presence of God” (Teilard de Chardin).
Spirit of Joy
News and Events
Global + Local = Glocal!
May 1, 2013
“As soon as Sister Carol said, ‘The world changes where our feet are,’ I was hooked,” shared Sister Marilyn Schauble, Vocation Director. “And that was just the beginning!”
Dr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, president-elect of LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious), inspired the Erie Benedictines during the April community weekend with her presentation: Glocal Community: Glocal Hearts, Glocal Minds, Glocal Actions. She posed the question, “Have you ever considered that we live...
Two Erie Benedictine Attend ABFC Symposium
April 28, 2013
Sister Stephanie Schmidt, Monastic Formation Director, and Sister Mary Ellen Plumb were participants in the 2013 symposium of the American Benedictine Formation Conference (ABFC). This conference brings together formation and vocation directors of American Benedictine communities to share information, support, ideas and strategies for their ministry with new members....
Oblate Brings Edinboro Students to the Monastery
April 27, 2013
College students are no strangers to the sisters and a group of young adults from Edinboro University were given a warm welcome in the spirit of Benedictine hospitality when they arrived at the monastery. “Guests are a blessing to the monastery,” said Sister Rita Zattosky, pictured at right with a few of the students. “I love having the opportunity to talk with any guest that comes and the college students bring a special energy all their own.”
Oblate Pam Gent, Campus Minister at Edinboro...
Sister Mary Miller guest speaker at C.R.O.P. Walk luncheon
April 26, 2013
Sister Mary has some wonderful stories to tell,” said the Rev. Bob Lewis, local Erie C.R.O.P Walk coordinator and pastor of Lakewood United Methodist Church. Not only that, but she directs one of the largest on-site food distribution centers in northwest Pennsylvania. For those reasons, she was guest speaker at the annual C.R.O.P. Walk luncheon where $17,162 of the $68,853 raised at the 2012 Walk was distributed to Erie County hunger agencies, including Emmaus. “This is a model fundraiser because monies are distributed both globally and locally,” said Sister Mary. Emmaus received $1,500...
Notre Dame Band to Provide Benefit Concert for NAH
April 24, 2013
Alert to all Notre Dame alum, fans, and to all music lovers! The Notre Dame Concert Band is coming to Erie! Proceeds from their Mother’s Day performance will be donated to the Neighborhood Art House (NAH). Join us for an enjoyable afternoon with this splendid band.
What: Notre Dame Concert Band Performance
Where: Holy Cross Parish, 7100 W Ridge Rd, Fairview, PA 16415
When: May 12 (Mother’s Day); 2:30 pm
Cost: $5....
Volunteer Opportunity: EMMAUS WORKS
April 23, 2013
Emmaus Ministries is gearing up to launch a pilot project (EMMAUS WORKS) for Soup Kitchen and Pantry guests.
The program, EMMAUS WORKS, is a Job Readiness/Job Search component and is totally a volunteer program on the part of both those who will staff it and those who will enroll in it.
Five volunteer Job Coaches (retired individuals who will serve as Mentors for program participants) have been recruited and assistance is being secured from the Erie CareerLink...
New Endeavor: The Greenhouse Garden
April 22, 2013
Sister Dianne Sabol (right), Director of St. Benedict Community Center, is joined by Oblate Margaret Kloecker, administrative assistant at Emmaus Ministries, for the first step in the creation of the Greenhouse Garden. The monastery greenhouse is soon to become the home of a vegetable and herb garden but first a good cleaning and some repairs are in order.
After careful research Dianne and Margaret became convinced that...
Student artists earn awards at Barber National Institute's Art Show
April 22, 2013
Congratulations to Neighborhood Art House (NAH) students, Sebastian Ewing (age 11) and Raphael Abarikwu (age 13), who were honored recently for art that they had entered in the Barber National Institute’s annual Art Show. Sebastian was awarded Best of Show in Photography – Youth Artists. His unique photograph shown here captures beautiful cumulous clouds offset by a brilliant blue sky as they were reflected by the water in a pothole. Mrs. Lourdes Jasso is often heard telling her students that “ugly things can be...
Appreciation Event for Major Benefactors
April 20, 2013
A special Evening Prayer followed by a festive dinner was the setting for the annual Major Benefactor Appreciation event. It was an expression of gratitude to a group of people who provide major support to the mission and vision of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. “It is one of my privileges each year to express the enormous gratitude that the sisters and I have both for you and for your generosity,” said prioress, Sister Anne Wambach. “This evening is an important opportunity for all of us to take a moment from our busy schedules to celebrate what is most important in our lives...a...
Good Food, Good Company, Good Education
April 19, 2013
Monastery housekeeper, Theresa Bennardo, won a lunch for 20 from Iadeluca Chiropractic Center in Erie and generously chose to share it with her companion housekeepers and the sisters in the infirmary wing of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery. As part of the luncheon, Holly Brine from the chiropractic center told the group a little bit about their practice and demonstrated how easily a back and neck screening could be done with new technology. After the lunch, those who wished were invited to take part in free screenings. “I had no...
St. Noel Concert Choir + the Music of Hildegard=Heaven
April 14, 2013
Sunday afternoon became a Sabbath day to remember when the music of Hildegard of Bingen and the concert choir of St. Noel Church in Willoughby Hills, OH united to create a little bit of heaven in the chapel at Mount St. Benedict monastery. Sisters and guests were treated to an experience of Hildegard of Bingen, the Church’s newest Doctor. Hildegard’s elevation to Doctor of the Church is an honor that has been bestowed on only four women in the history of the Catholic Church.
Hildegard of Bingen, noted for...