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Masks are required for everyone who comes to the monastery. This includes guests, employees, sisters, and anyone who needs to come into the building for any reason. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
What's Going On In The Mending Place....
September 19, 2021
The Mending Place at St. Benedict Education Center is still taking in everything that needs mending: tears, broken zippers, sagging hemlines and drooping sleeves. The two seamstresses, Damanta Khadka and Cynthia Aulenbacher, will meet you at the curb to receive your work and any supplies (such as replacement zippers) needed. While classes are suspended because of COVID, mending continues and the seamstresses have taken on projects ranging from boat covers to wedding dresses and alterations of all kinds. The Mending Place is located at 330 E. 10th Street in Erie. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Call 814-452-4072, ext. 315 for information and scheduling.
READ MORE AND VIEW GALLERY AT SBEC>>>
Neighborhood Art House Silent Auction
September 9, 2021
The Neighborhood Art House Taste of the Arts Art Market opens to the public on September 14 but you can view the artwork now. Every year at the Taste of the Arts fundraiser, in addition to selling one-of-a-kind artwork by Art House students, local artists donate work to sell in a Silent Auction. This year there was an incredible outpouring of support: 22 pieces of artwork will be available for bidding, which is the largest selection ever offered at the Silent Auction. Starting bids range from $30 to $500.
Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat Experience
September 6, 2021
“Monastic profession is more than a commitment to community,” explained Sister Kathy McCarthy as she shared her recent experience at BSWR—Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat. “It is about being available to the world in a different way, through our community relationships to be attuned to God and to be a positive presence in the world.”
Sister Kathy was at St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow, VA, from July 7-28 for the workshop and retreat designed for temporary professed Benedictine sisters anticipating perpetual monastic profession. This year’s theme was “Expanding Hearts: The Way of Profession.” After her return, Sister Kathy shared her experience with her sisters in Erie ...
Walking with psalm verses brings change, understanding, reminder
September 4, 2021
Sister Mary Ellen Plumb shares her thoughts on the transformative power of the Psalms in her new column in the Erie Times-News: The psalms of Scripture have a long history in both the Jewish and Christian traditions. For my Benedictine community and me, they are fundamental to our daily Liturgy of Hours, our communal prayer.
When I was young, I asked a spiritual mentor whether she ever got bored praying the same psalms over and over again. Instead of a direct answer, she suggested a simple spiritual practice: Every morning, at Morning Praise, select one verse of one psalm, “tuck it into my heart” and carry it around with me all day. Then at Evening Praise, do the same and take that selected verse to sleep with me.
A call to deeper unity: our shared call to love
August 30, 2021
Sister Jacqueline Sanchez-Small offered these reflections on the readings from Deuteronomy, James, and Mark on Sunday, August 29.
Back in my wild college days, I went through a phase where I was absolutely fascinated by Judaism. I was active in Catholic student groups and always at Sunday Mass, but on Saturday mornings I snuck off to the local synagogue. What was I doing there? Rebelling against my Catholic upbringing? Maybe at first. But I kept going back because of what I saw on my first visit, which happened to be a holiday called Simchat Torah—which means the Joy of the Torah, or the Joy of the Law.
Celebrate Jubilee 2021: 70, 60, and 25 year anniversaries
August 27, 2021
The Benedictine Sisters celebrated the anniversaries of monastic profession of eight sisters in August. At a special community dinner during their annual summer gathering at the beginning of August, they honored those marking 70 years of Benedictine life, Sisters Miriam Mashank, Patricia McGreevy, and Marlene Bertke and celebrating 60 years, Sisters Audrey Steff, Rose Ann Kolbas, and Mary Lou Kownacki, and celebrating their 25th jubilee, Sisters Ann Bannon and Patricia Hause. "I'm still can't believe I am celebrating 60 years as a Benedictine," said Sister Audrey. "They have been incredible years filled with so many good things, I hardly remember the challenges. I highly recommend this life!" READ MORE>>>
Listen to Prioress Stephanie Schmidt's reflections at the 25th Jubilee Celebration.
Winners and sponsors Golf Tournament 2021
August 22, 2021
A drizzly day didn't dampen any spirits during the 3rd annual Benedictine Sisters Golf Tournament on August 16. “What a wonderful event,” said Mary Hoffman, third-time participant in the sold-out tournament held at Lake Shore Country Club in Fairview. “My team is already looking forward to next year, we had a great time!” “We are so grateful for our many sponsors, we have listed them all below,” said Michelle Basista, Benedictine Sisters Development Office, who coordinated the tournament. “We raised over $82,000, mostly in sponsorships, and those funds help the sisters continue their good works and meet the ongoing needs of the monastery.”
READ MORE AND SEE TEAM PICTURES>>>
Support victims of earthquake and storm in Haiti
August 19, 2021
To donate to organizations with infrastructure and trust built over decades that are on the ground in Haiti offering care and compassion, consider Partners in Health or Kay Lasante Clinic. Partners in Health: Read Dr. Paul Farmers (PIH) letter from Haiti and donate here. Kay Lasante Clinic, cofounded by Bishop Tom Gumbleton of Detroit and Johanna Berrigan of the House of Grace Catholic Worker, is responding in their area, as they have for decades, with their all Haitian staff. To donate, send check with KAY LASANTE CLINIC in memo line payable to: House of Grace Catholic Worker, 1826 E. Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125 or Bishop Tom Gumbleton, 1616 Bagley Street, Detroit, MI 48216.
Urge Pres. Biden to Expand Aid for Afghans Fleeing Violence
August 19, 2021
From the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns: While the U.S. military withdraws from Afghanistan and the Taliban gains control, we watch with horror as panic and desperation spread among ordinary Afghans and especially among groups who will be most vulnerable under Taliban rule, including former U.S. allies, women and girls, and religious and minority groups.... In an effort to address this unfolding tragedy, we invite you to contact the Biden administration to urge them to greatly expand opportunities for Afghans seeking refuge from violence, including through humanitarian aid and particularly through welcoming the most vulnerable Afghans into the United States.
Benedictine Values, Modern Monasticism
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.
Calendar of Events
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September 13, 2021 to October 1, 2021
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September 29, 2021