Benetwood is much more than a 75-unit apartment building subsidized by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) for low-income elderly and/or mobility-challenged individuals. Sister Pat Hause, administrator, says: "Benetwood is home. Benetwood is community." This year that home and that community celebrate 35 years of existence. "Over the years Benetwood has earned and is a well-respected property," explained Sister Pat. "I know we are glad that HUD accepted the third application our sisters submitted back in 1980 which started the work and the eventual opening of Benetwood...

“I am very excited for the great opportunity to meet this holy man who has dedicated his life to help others learn how mindfulness and compassion can transform our lives,” said Sister Ann Muczynski in her invitation to the sisters and oblates for an informal gathering at the monastery with Claude AnShin Thomas. Claude, a Vietnam War combat Veteran who became a Zen monk and peace activist, was in town for speaking engagements at Allegheny College and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of...

The CBS Religion & Culture show, The Wisdom of Our Elders, that features Sister Joan Chittister will begin airing on CBS affiliate stations. This Sunday, September 18, WSEE Erie will broadcast the program at 8:00 AM. It will also exist online Sunday afternoon at www.cbsnews.com/religionandculture. The show's air dates and times for CBS affiliate stations who have picked up the show are posted on the CBS Facebook page.

Joan D. Chittister, O.S.B...

Darlene Reid’s story in the past few years is one of great personal loss. She resigned from her work in health care to look after her mother who eventually passed away. Shortly after that, her stepmother died as well. Both women were an important and loving presence in her life and in the lives of her two children. Starting over was not easy, yet Darlene found both the support and the tools she needed at SBEC in Meadville, one of five locations in Northwestern PA where SBEC offers job search programs.

Despite such setbacks, Darlene took on-line classes for a Medical Assistant...

“I ask that I may continue to seek God through sharing the monastic life with this Benedictine community,” responded Valerie Luckey during the Rite of Entrance into the Novitiate which took place during Evening Prayer on Saturday, September 10. Val lived as a postulant for the past year and decided to take the step to begin the next phase of initial formation.

Sister Anne Wambach, prioress, shared reflections on the Gospel of Sunday (Luke 5: 1-10) as part of the ceremony. She was struck by a line that showed up...