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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.
Thanksgiving at Emmaus Soup Kitchen
Emmaus has served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, a week before the actual holiday, because many local restaurants generously offer free meals to those in need on the holiday itself. This year the meal was served by a team of volunteers from Our Lady of Peace Parish, coordinated by Darrell Meyers, who has been a regular at Emmaus for 23 years. “Emmaus is grateful for all that you do for us,” Sister Mary Miller, Director of Emmaus, said to the volunteers before their shift. “We thank God that you’re here and that you bless us and our guests with your smiles, your kindness, and your attentiveness.”
LCWR Grieves the Shooting in Colorado Springs
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie join with our sisters in the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in a plea for an end to gun violence and hatred, most recently experienced in Colorado Springs, CO, and Chesapeake, VA.
New issue of The Mount
Wrap yourself in Benedictine hospitality when you read the Winter 2022 issue of The Mount, starting with Brother Mickey McGrath's cover artwork, "Our Lady of Refuge." Prioress Sister Stephanie Schmidt invites us into the issue and the very first story looks at the long history of Benedictine hospitality at St. Benedict's Child Development Center. We celebrate a final monastic profession, a retirement, and a poetry park. Guest columnist Mary E. Hunt of WATER, the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual offers "Hospitality Writ Large." We had to write once more about the goats who accompanied us last summer and show off the results of their work. Oblates, SBA Alum, and Joan Chittister Writers-in-Residence round out this issue.
Celebrating a new season of opportunities at SBEC
The announcement read: “St Benedict Education Center Fall Open House! See what’s going on at SBEC and discover opportunities!” The invitation was offered to all current clients – and many responded. Tuesday, October 18, was the day. Not since before the restrictions required by Covid have the halls of SBEC and Treasures & Such, the incentive store, contained such energy and activity --- plus the presence of so many people interacting with each other. One of the staff planners, Shari Riley, shared: “Covid 19 has changed so much in the world…for all of us. It was uplifting to see everyone! All the participants seemed excited and interested. Laughter and good cheer filled our halls once again!”
Take Back the Site: Timothy L Smith
A small group gathered on November 10 to pray in memory of Timothy Smith at the site where he was fatally beaten earlier this year. After being on life support for a few weeks, he died of his injuries on September 13. Timmy, who was 80, was staying at Erie City Mission at the time of the attack that happened just down the street. Sister Mary Ellen Plumb said, “I think it reminds us always that violence is never a good choice. And if we can stand for nonviolence in every situation where violence occurs, then we can change our own hearts so that kind of thing happens less. We can help change the hearts of others by our own love and reconciliation.” Learn more about Take Back the Site Vigils on the Benedictines for Peace website.
City Councilwomen is Kids Cafe Alum
Long before Jasmine Flores would become the first Latina to be elected to the Erie City Council, she was a six year-old student at Pfeiffer Burleigh who came to the Kids Cafe every day after school....“Part of what made the Kids Cafe so special for me was that it was one of the few places where I really felt seen and heard as a little kid growing up on the lower east side,” she said. “As the daughter of immigrants, it helped me a lot to have native English speakers checking my homework and helping me with grammar and spelling. But most of all, if I hadn’t gone to the Kids Cafe, I might not have known any adults who really validated me.”
Community Weekend 2022
More than 50 oblates participated in the 2022 October Community Weekend. Interest groups were offered Friday and on Saturday, Sister Joan Chittiser led a listening process inviting participants into the unrealized wisdom of Vatican II. At evening praise, Sister Stephanie Schmidt, prioress, welcomed new oblates and initiates. Listen to her reflection.
READ MORE AND SEE PHOTOS>>>
Art Show Opens in Chapter 57 Gallery
Sisters and guests joined Sister Margaret Ann Pilewski for the opening of her new art show, “Transition,” on Sunday. The show features 52 new pieces born of Sister Peggy’s reflections on the current transitions in her life. “After 27 year of teaching and administering at the Art House, which followed years of teaching, I turned to a new season, a season of focusing on my art,” she explained....“Transition” will be in the Chapter 57 Gallery through Sunday, November 20. The Chapter 57 store is open every Sunday after liturgy until noon. (Closed October 30) Or, other days and times by appointment, call 814-440-3114.
Catholic Rural Ministry Retreat Opportunity
Erie Benedictine Sister Marian Wehler and Sister Tina Geiger, RSM, are offering an overnight retreat, “Walking with Jesus." The focus will be on living a Eucharistic Spirituality. It will take place at Olmsted Conference Center in Ludlow, PA, beginning at noon on Thursday, November 10 and ending at noon on Friday November 11. Cost is $60 and includes overnight and four meals. For more information or to register call 814-677-2032 or emailing Sister Tina, srtinag@gmail.com. Deadline to register is October 27. Sponsored by Catholic Rural Ministry.
Benedictine Values, Modern Monasticism
Calendar of Events
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December 3, 2022
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December 10, 2022
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December 17, 2022