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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
Memorable Movie at Kids Cafe: 30 to Life
April 11, 2013
The children who attend Kids Cafe come from neighborhoods where violence occurs. To bring attention to the issue and its effect, Dr. Maria Garase, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Mercyhurst University and Kids Cafe volunteer recently coordinated the viewing of a locally produced film, 30 to Life. “Maria suggested the film because it addresses an issue even our youngest children experience,” remarked Ann Vinca, Kids Cafe Program Coordinator.
30 to Life tells...
Kids Cafe Photo Gallery
April 9, 2013
Be sure not to miss the Kids Cafe Gallery on the Emmaus web page! Emmaus believes in the potential of each person.
Our Kids Cafe is named for Sister Augusta Hamel, OSB, a longtime advocate for the poor and the hungry. She believed that hungry children cannot learn, cannot develop, cannot reach full potential. Sister Gus’ Kids Cafe is one of over 1,000 Kids Cafes throughout the country sponsored by Second Harvest Food Bank.
At Sister Gus’ Kids Cafe we serve approximately 50-70 inner...
Canisius Students Spend Spring Break at the Mount
April 7, 2013
The Benedictine Sisters welcomed six students from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, along with their adult leader. For one week the monastery became home to a wonderful group of young people who made a choice to work with the Benedictine Sisters for an Alternative Spring Break Ministry Trip. They followed the daily horarium of the monastery and joined the community for prayer and meals and served in a variety of community ministries. Evenings provided the opportunity for input and discussion on various aspects of monastic life and...
Birthday Celebration Disney Inspired
April 3, 2013
Like many 10–year-olds, Elise Rinke watches the Disney Channel for fun. But, she was also inspired with the channel’s feature spots of children helping people, communities and the planet. “People do good things and I wanted to do something good too!” she said. So, to celebrate her birthday on March 23rd, she planned a sleepover and a birthday breakfast and instead of presents, she asked her friends to bring a donation for Emmaus Soup Kitchen. Sister Mary Miller, Emmaus Director, is always inspired by the generosity and creativity of our youngest donors and remarked, “This child is as...
Neighbor to Neighbor
April 2, 2013
View the most recent issue of the Neighborhood Art House (NAH) newsletter: Neighbor to Neighbor and read about the amazing things that are happening at NAH. Check out the NAH web page for even more stories and happenings. You are sure to shake your head in wonder at the talent being discovered and developed in children being exposed to the arts in inner-city Erie. No doubt you will revel in what this...
Benedictine Prioresses issue Statement on the Prevention of Gun Violence
April 1, 2013
The Easter season has begun. The scriptures tell us that Jesus, after rising from the dead, appeared to the disciples with the message, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). The peace to which Christ witnesses is one that calls for justice and nonviolence. Benedictines are known for their efforts to seek peace and pursue it (Rule of Benedict, Prologue 17). Benedictines strive to accept the gift of peace that Christ offers and commit themselves to working for peace at any cost.
To promote that vision of peace and in an effort to address the rampant culture of gun violence and...
33rd Annual Peace Pilgrimage
March 30, 2013
Christ is crucified today whenever and wherever hatred, violence and injustice prevail. As part of the triduum, the Benedictine Sisters, along with oblates, family members, friends and interested public, walked through downtown Erie marking the Way of the Cross, mindful that an injustice to one is an injustice to all.
“This is our 33rd Peace Pilgrimage,” explained Sister Anne Wambach, prioress. “We carry with us all the suffering of the world. We are reminded of the need for reform and change — for an end to violence, war, abuse, and discrimination of any kind.”
The seven...
NAH Ceramics Students Honored in National Exhibition
March 28, 2013
The Neighborhood Art House (NAH) is bursting with pride. Maxim Augustine and Hy Khanh Doan, two of Susan Hunter's ceramics students, were recently recognized nationally by the Ceramic Exhibition Foundation. Their two ceramics were among 150 accepted into the juried exhibition from over 1,000 entries.
Both students are in grade 7. Maxim, whose work (dog sculpture) was selected as distinctive by the curator, received a Curator Ceramic Book Award. Only ten such awards are made annually. Hy Khanh (wheel-thrown teapot) received one...
Saved by Beauty
March 27, 2013
In his book, Saved by Beauty: A Spiritual Journey with Dorothy Day, author Michael O'Neill McGrath writes about his travels in recent years and how blessed he was "to encounter some wonderful instances of beauty and mercy going hand in hand." He describes one of those places of beauty like this:
"When the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania, moved out of their inner-city monastery, they didn't abandon the people in the neighborhood. They turned their former monastery into an education facility, and...
Sister Mary Lou Featured in Newsmaker Q & A
March 25, 2013
Sister Mary Lou Kownacki has been featured in the Erie Times News Newsmaker Q & A. Her dedication to the poor and vulnerable was recently honored by Mercyhurst University when she was awarded the 2013 Oscar Romero Award. Read her reflections on receiving this award. Find out what the award meant to her and how she recognized that passion for peace and justice was to direct her path in life.
Journeys Ended, Journeys Begun
March 24, 2013
Journeys Ended, Journeys begun ─ Lent Draws to a close, Holy Week begins. The journey continues.
Sister Colette Korn’s reflection at the final Lenten Vigil was an invitation to join the procession—the journey that Jesus makes to Jerusalem.
Opportunities to accompany Jesus in the situations of our life and world surround us. Meaning is found in the willingness and courage to join the procession and uphold those in need.
In embracing the brokenness in our world and in being a healing presence in our communities and our families, we can learn to live from the source...