Sister Jacqueline Sanchez-Small talks about new additions to Goat Fest in an interview with Erie News Now Amanda Post.

The Erie Benedictine community was recognized by the National Association of Secretaries of State for standing up to false accusations of voter fraud made against them during last year's election season.

"Bearing Hope, Bearing Loss: Finding Our Way through Eco-Story" is a contemplative online retreat on ecowomanism and the environment with Rev. Dr. Melanie Harris at Monasteries of the Heart on Wednesday, September 10, noon - 2:00 p.m. ET.

"This is the fourth year that the Neighborhood Art House offered a Day Camp program at Glinodo Center, and it gets better every year!" said camp coordinator and NAH Community Art Director Sarah Everett. "We made it through a hot week with lots of smiles and positive energy. We’re grateful to have the support from staff and volunteers as well as the Benedictine Sisters that makes this week of alternative learning opportunities possible."

Michelle Scully, Director of the Peacemakers Program at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, introduces Mary Dwyer and Juan Llarena to seekers gathered in the monastery chapel for a session on Centering Prayer. Mary, a long-time student of the American Trappist monk Thomas Keating, gave a brief introduction to the prayer form. As she noted, her short presentation was a very abbreviated version of a much longer learning process. At the core, though, Centering Prayer is about "the intention to be loved into life." It is a simple practice that invites us into our “inner room” where we can close the door.

Sisters Anne McCarthy and Colleen Leathley, along with friends of the Erie Benedictine community Jessica Sun and Katie Gordon traveled to Detroit, MI, for the Pax Christi USA National Conference, themed: "Reclaiming the Power of Nonviolence in a Broken World." Speakers included Maria Stephan, a civil resistance scholar, Jonathan Kuttab, co-founder of Nonviolence International, and Martha Inés Romero, the Secretary General of Pax Christi International. Many were also excited to hear a letter written from Pope Leo to the national gathering, where he reminded all in attendance to "make their local communities into 'houses of peace' where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished.”

Sister Anne McCarthy speaks at the Take Back the Site Vigil for Marchello Woodard on July 30.

The Glinodo Goat Fest Storybook Trail has a special twist this year—the featured book, Platty’s Perfect Day, is by local Erie children’s book author and illustrator Heather Cash. Heather left a job in tech and returned to Erie about thirteen years ago to dedicate herself to her artwork. “I’m basically a kid,” she said on a recent visit to the monastery. “I like writing books that teach about things I wished I’d known as a kid. I’m writing for 12-year-old Heather.” Platty’s Perfect Day, which Heather is holding in the picture, is one of several books she has written for children. With Heather is Michelle Scully, Program and Events coordinator at the monastery.