The Corporate Commitment of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie reads clearly: As Benedictine Sisters of Erie we commit ourselves to be a healing presence and prophetic witness for peace by working for sustainability and justice, especially for women and children. We believe this commitment remains ever new and necessary. To this end we continue to educate ourselves so that we may live our corporate commitment with freshness and resolve.

During our annual community days, rich and meaningful ongoing education was provided by community member, Sister Ann Muczynski, a board-certified clinical social worker.

Sister Ann shared information that led to deeper awareness and understanding of abuse in society and reviewed with us the universal signs and symptoms that might alert us to victims of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse. Sister Ann reminded us that where abuse is concerned, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived but if faced with courage it must not be lived again (Maya Angelou).”

In her remarks about solutions to the rampant abuse with which any one of us could come in contact, she said, “Solutions are not so much about being right or wrong as they are about being handled with a loving approach.” As Benedictines of Erie who work to uphold our corporate commitment, we embrace a loving approach to any and all situations of abuse.

*Sister Ann Muczynski, OSB, LCSW, is a board-certified clinical social worker. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Case Western University (2002). In July of 2003 she became a Trauma and Loss Consultant and Specialist from the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. Before taking on her present position in behavioral health at the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center, she worked primarily with children and adult victims of sexual abuse and/or domestic violence. She now works solely with veterans suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome) and/or MST (Military Sexual Trauma).