Follow us on Facebook
Under the leadership of Siobhan O’Neill Meluso, Communications Coordinator for the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, a group of communicators from Benedictine women’s monasteries have produced a video, “Benedictine Values, Modern Monasticism,” that illustrates 10 Benedictine values with photographs provided by 21 monasteries. Judith Sutera, OSB, a Benedictine scholar and historian from Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, was instrumental in preparing the script. The technical expertise of Amanda Hackett, Communications Coordinator, Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict (St. Joseph, MN), and Susan Damon, Development Associate, Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, TX, created the video including an instrumental track of the handbell choir of the Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN, arranged by Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 1997. Other committee members were Jan Gull, Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL, and Linda Romey, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA.
Reflections on God as love...on Mother's Day
Sister Jacqueline Sanchez-Small offers reflections on the readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter, also Mother's Day.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus spells out quite clearly what that love is to be for us, telling us over and over, “Abide in my love.” “If you keep my commandment,” he says, “you will abide in my love.” This promise is an echo of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah. In Genesis, God makes the covenant with them, saying that if they keep the commandments, they will abide in the land God gives them. They will have safety there. They will have a sense of national identity there. There will be a secure future for them, there in the land that they are given, if they simply keep the covenant.
READ FULL REFLECTION>>>
National Day of Prayer
In his National Day of Prayer proclamation, President Biden begins, "Throughout our history, Americans of many religions and belief systems have turned to prayer for strength, hope, and guidance. Prayer has nourished countless souls and powered moral movements — including essential fights against racial injustice, child labor, and infringement on the rights of disabled Americans."
Erie Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister writes, "Prayer is an opening of the self so that the Word of God can break in and make us new."
Woods and environment topic of April Community Weekend
At their annual April meeting the end of last month, the Benedictine community focused on the past and present of their environmental effort. “We continue to miss our guests, especially our oblates who would have been with us for this weekend under normal circumstances,” said Sister Stephanie Schmidt, prioress. “We know that eventually we’ll be back together, but in the meantime, from wherever we are, all of us are doing our part to heal our earth.”...Sister Jacqueline Sanchez-Small and Sister Mary Hoffman spoke about the land and the trees. As part of her novitiate experience, Sister Jacqueline has been interviewing community elders. Sister Mary, more than 60 years older than Jacqueline, told her the story of the trees....
READ MORE>>>
SBA Bingo Brings Big Fun to the Polish Falcons
The SBA Cash Bingo has returned to the Polish Falcons Club on East 3rd Street. In case you missed the last cash bingo event in April, the next bingo event will be bigger than ever and holiday-themed. The SBA alumnae are planning a very special Christmas in July cash bingo on July 18. This annual Christmas-themed game ties in the best of the excitement of bingo and the delights of the winter holiday.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Earth Day at the Kids Cafe
To celebrate Earth Day this year, the children attending the Kids Cafe practiced the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. They created sturdy tote bags from gently worn t-shirts. The bags were an idea of the Kids Cafe’s cook, Carly DiFuccia, who suggested this year for Earth Day we “teach the children about recycling and reusing in order to save single use plastics from going to the landfill.”
Benedictine Sisters support statement
The National Black Sisters’ Conference (NBSC) and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) issued a statement in response to the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd: We, the National Black Sisters’ Conference and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, stand together in our commitment to the sacred dignity of each human person as emphasized in Catholic Social Teaching. In the aftermath of the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, we recommit to working for real and sustained systemic change in the struggle to end institutional racism in every aspect of our society.
READ FULL STATEMENT>>>
Celebrate Earth Day April 22
Erie Earth Day seeks to bring the Erie region together to highlight what we’re doing well and where we can improve. The Erie Earth Day 2021 website lists simple daily challenges, includes a schedule of local events, and ways to get involved. An "Anytime event" is The Green Connection Documentary Making a Change for Climate Change & Justice by Diane Christin - YouTube. Artwork from the Neighborhood Art House Gallery, by Kerene, age 10.
Not By Bread Alone New Podcast
Sister Carolyn Gorny-Kopkowski's newest podcast, "Not By Bread Alone," includes a short interview with Cathy Bliss, a long-time member of the monastery's kitchen staff. Sister Carolyn explains that in the monastery, bread-baking is a staple. When Sister Irene Warchol, who served as the community's bread baker for decades, retired, Cathy was ready to step in. Listen to Sister Carolyn and Cathy chat about bread, baking and community.
Art House Students Win Awards at the Barber National Institute's Art Show & Sale!
We have more good news from the Barber National Institute’s Art Show & Sale! Art House students were the recipients of two Best of Show awards and an Honorable Mention in the youth artist division. This is a big honor! Congratulations to Tania Butler, age 9 and Teajanae Johnson, age 14 & Yeslian Vargas, age 13 for their Best of Show awards, and to Aiva Sadler, age 13 for her Honorable Mention.
Benedictine Values, Modern Monasticism
Calendar of Events
-
May 10, 2021 to May 14, 2021