2012 Holy Week Experience
with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie
Based on Sister Joan Chittister’s Lenten booklet,
Journey into Light
“It was the mystics who could see the light of God
in the middle of periods
others would have called dark.”
— Joan Chittister, OSB
Retreat begins Wednesday, April 4
at Mount St. Benedict Monastery
6101 East Lake Road • Erie, PA 16511
No – it is not a typo! After 100 weekends of Spirit of the Seasons retreats held at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, you are now invited to participate in a new series entitled Seasons of the Spirit. With a “twist” of words yet still full of “spirit”, Sister Carolyn Gorny-Kopkowski, OSB has birthed something new and exciting! Carol Comstock and other Benedictine Oblates/professionals will assist in these gatherings at the Mount in Erie. There will be opportunities for prayer/meditation/solitude; presentations; shared wisdom; creative leisure; physical activity and celebrations (similar to the style of the past 100 SOS retreats).
In the spirit of Benedictine hospitality, three hermitages located in the woods about a five minute walk from Mount St. Benedict Monastery are available for guests. They provide an opportunity for silence, solitude, prayer and contemplation.
Each hermitage is self-contained, heated and equipped with a kitchen; guests may bring their own food or eat at the monastery. Linens are provided. Early reservations are encouraged for hermitage stays, especially April through October. Guests are welcome to share in community prayer, meals and have use of the monastery library and grounds. The hermitages are not accessible by car; because they can only be reached on foot, it is advisable to bring walking shoes or boots and to be prepared for muddy ground, rain or snow at all times. Monastery guest rooms are accessible. Out of consideration for all, smoking and pets are not permitted in the hermitages or monastery guest rooms.
Mid-Life/Life-Long Directions for Personal and Spiritual Growth is a weekend workshop for adults in the second half of life. It incorporates Judeo-Christian spirituality, Jungian and developmental psychology and individual experience in the process of self-discovery. Sister Rosanne Loneck, OSB, is a certified Mid-Life Directions consultant.
The weekend is:
— a time to look at mid-life as a crisis, transition and renaissance
— a time to ask anew the ultimate question: What is the purpose of life?
— a time to unleash the dynamism of the second half of life
— a time to allow past, present and future to come together anticipating my coming integration
— a time to reflect on deepest beliefs as they illumine life
Throughout life we face situations that call for change. The reality of choices involving careers, marital status, living situation, aging, medical and recovery programs, separations, loss and death thrusts us into times of transition.
In the Benedictine tradition of hospitality, we invite you to Mount St. Benedict Monastery for reflective time as you face life’s challenges. A generous donor sponsors this gathering so there is no fee.
These afternoons of reflection are for men and women in the Erie area. A luncheon is served at 1:15 pm followed by a spirituality program from 2:15 until 3:15 p.m. Sister Joan Chittister’s book, The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life is the basis of our conversations.
Do you need a retreat or workshop leader? These qualified directors are available to come to your parish or community.
Sister Anne leads retreats on themes of monastic and Benedictine spirituality.
Anne holds a MA in Theology from St. John’s University, Collegeville in monastic studies and completed Shalem Institute’s program, “Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats.” Long involved in peace and justice ministry, she serves on the board of the Monastic Interreligious Dialogue internationally and in the US.
Erie Benedictine Sister Carolyn Gorny-Kopkowski leads retreats using selected books by Joan Chittister, OSB. Here's what retreatants have to say about Sister Carolyn's retreats: "It changed my life." "I found God in places I never thought to look." "We did the retreat together and our communication has deepened." "Wow." "Thank God I came to this retreat."
Sister Carolyn brings 20 years of experience in leading retreats.
Monasteries of the Heart is a movement of seekers interested in becoming part of a community of seekers, either online or with others of their own choosing, who form to support one another in shaping their spiritual lives around Benedictine values and priorities. Visit now.