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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
New Railings a Welcome Addition to SBEC
November 30, 2012
Thanks to the generosity of Mark Bliley, owner of American Railing Systems, St. Benedict Education Center (SBEC) has some beautiful, new railings. The railings are a much needed addition to the building’s outside ramp that allows access for the physically challenged. They contribute to making this ramp a safe entry for all who use it.
“These railings are a concrete expressions of our Benedictine hospitality as they provide safe welcome into our building and the ministries we provide” said Sister Christine Vladimiroff, Director of SBEC. “For this, along with Mark’s donation of...
SBEC Kitchen Becomes the Thanksgiving Classroom
November 21, 2012
St. Benedict Education Center (SBEC) was filled with excitement as the refugee population engaged in two days of instruction on how to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. The refugees received food donations from the Food Bank but SBEC’s teaching staff soon realized that the students didn’t know how to prepare the food items. Sister Katherine Horan organized the project and the kitchen became the classroom. English as a second language instructors donned aprons to teach some new and necessary skills. They guided the students in correct...
In-House Winter Wear Clothing Drive Benefits Refugees
November 20, 2012
The Benedictine Sisters recently held an in-house winter wear clothing drive and it was a huge success! Twenty boxes of coats, sweaters, sweatshirts and sweat pants, socks, gloves, scarves and boots, afghans, blankets, and comforters turned into priceless gifts for the refugees enrolled at St. Benedict Education Center (SBEC). Even though there were not enough coats to go around, more than 100 people benefited from the give-away.
The project was spearheaded by Sisters Susan Doubet and Rosanne Loneck. Oblate...
Time for Turkey
November 20, 2012
If you were in the area of East 10th and East 11th streets this past Thursday you might have smelled the aromas of Thanksgiving dinner coming from both Emmaus Soup Kitchen and Kids Cafe. The Soup Kitchen offered the traditional turkey dinner to 335 guests who enjoyed their meal at tables set with decorated placemats and floral centerpieces arranged by students at the Inner City Neighborhood Art House. Staff members and volunteers greeted guests and served a meal complete with pumpkin pie that was adorned...
Thanksgiving Dinner at THE SISTERS'HOUSE on East 22nd Street
November 19, 2012
A special Thanksgiving dinner is one way that Sister Mary Ellen Plumb, OSB shows the children of East 22nd Street that they are growing up in a place where they matter. As one of the Benedictine Sisters working to transform this neighborhood, Sister Mary Ellen organizes activities for the children. A neighborhood center called The Sisters’ House was opened to provide the place for this to happen.
The Thanksgiving Dinner activity has become an annual event. With the help of students from Villa Maria Academy...
Annual Appreciation is shown to Volunteer Fairfield Firefighters
November 15, 2012
“This is one event none of us wants to miss,” said Jim Hawryliw, captain of the Fairfield Hose Company. “We look forward to it and always have a great time.”
Members of the Fairfield Hose Company were guests at the annual appreciation dinner hosted by the Benedictine Sisters to show their gratitude to this volunteer fire company which has been serving the neighborhood since 1945. Sister Marcia Sigler, having served for 10 years as an active volunteer EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), is considered an honorary member of the company and helps to make the event a memorable one,...
Two Sisters Named Volunteer(s) of the Year by Therapy Dogs United
November 12, 2012
Congratulations to Sisters Carol Ann McLaughlin and Rita Groner! They, along with their therapy dog, “Rusty,” were the recipients of the Volunteer(s) of the Year Award given by Therapy Dogs United (TDU).
The mission of TDU is to inspire physical and emotional healing through the use of interactive animal-assisted therapy and humane education. The sisters and Rusty have been involved in therapy dog work for the past four years. Their ministry has focused mainly on the elderly and they have been frequent visitors to St....
Visit the NEW Emmaus Ministries Web Page
November 8, 2012
Emmaus Ministries has a new web page! Its fresh appearance and informative content will help you become familiar with the work of Emmaus by keeping you abreast of current news and happenings. The new look invites you to step into the Emmaus world and see what the ministry is about and what is being accomplished by dedicated staff and volunteers. The pictures, stories and video are inspiring and engaging.
The Emmaus Soup Kitchen provides food, presence and dignity to the poor of Erie through a soup kitchen that serves 1,500 meals a week; an after school Kids Cafe program that offers...
2012 Oblate Commitment Ceremony
October 30, 2012
On Saturday, October 27, the Oblate Commitment Ceremony was celebrated at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery. More than 280 women and men renewed their commitment to the Erie Benedictines as Oblates, with over 100 able to be present. During the ceremony, which took place within the context of the community’s Evening Prayer, the Initiates and Oblates expressed a desire to live out the Charism statement and the Corporate Commitment of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, Erie.
As prioress,...
Twenty-One Initiates Commit to the Oblate Way of Life
October 30, 2012
Twenty-one women and men have begun their journey with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie through the Oblate Way of Life. After expressing their desire to spend the upcoming year studying the Rule of Benedict and living the Gospel values of peace and justice more intensely they each received a copy of the Rule. Prioress, Sister Anne Wambach, presented the Rule of Benedict with these words:
Receive this Rule of Benedict. May it be light for your nights and hope for your days. May light and hope continue to...
Oblate Co-Directors in Place
October 30, 2012
After six years of service as the Oblate Director, Sister Marilyn Schauble, also the Vocation Director, will now concentrate her energies on communication and work with women discerning a vocation to the monastic way of life with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. “These past six years have been a blessing for me. I have enjoyed working with these women and men who desire to associate with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie through the Oblate Way of Life. I have been humbled by their sincerity and commitment as...