The Erie Benedictines were among the 3,000 persons at the 2026 Pride on the Bay event at Liberty Park the end of June. With a poster on their display table quoting the Rule of St. Benedict, "we believe the divine presence is everywhere," and stickers to give away, Communications intern Sophie, Sister Linda Romey, and Miriam, newly in the Benedictine Peacemakers Program, greeted attendees throughout the afternoon. "This event is a great place to have good conversations and connect with friends and meet new people," said Sister Linda. "We were especially happy to be able to invite everyone to the monastery on Saturday, July 11, for an open house to celebrate 170 years since we arrived in Erie."

We celebrate with our 2026 70-year jubilarians: Sisters Norma Jean Kingsley, Rosanne Lindal-Hynes, Claire Marie Surmik, and Joachim Frey.

Last Saturday 200 guests enjoyed Mother Ignatia's Ban the Bootleggers Bash at Glinodo Center. The Benedictine Sisters are grateful for everyone who helped make it happen.

Sisters, oblates, and guests celebrated a special 170th Anniversary Liturgy on June 14. Celebrant Rev. John Beal offered a beautiful reflection on Sunday's Gospel, Matthew 9:36—10:8. His reflections incorporated the Benedictine anniversary; they follow:

The St. Benedict Academy Class of 1966 celebrated their 60th class reunion on June 6 at the Lake View Golf Club in North East. The following Sunday morning, members gathered at the monastery for Sunday liturgy followed by a gathering in the monastery dining room. Sisters and other guests enjoyed visiting with alumnae, some of whom now live out of town and hadn't visited recently.

Development Associate Michelle Basista, CFRE, spoke with Amanda Post at Erie News Now about the Ban the Bootleggers Bash fundraiser.

Meinrad Miller, OSB, a monk of St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, Kansas, offered this year's community retreat for oblates and sisters at Mount St. Benedict Monastery. Fr. Meinrad offered daily conferences on hope, drawing on scripture, the Rule of Benedict, and his personal experiences and reflections. During the retreat we celebrated the sacrament of annointing of the sick for all who wished to be annointed. Sister Diane Rabe, community administrator, Fr. Meinrad, and Melinda K, nurse and co-director of health care at the monastery, went from person to person for the annointing. Here they annoint Sister Jean Wolbert.

After a year in the monastery, sisters, coworkers, and friends gathered to celebrate Emily, Erin, and Melissa, the first three women in the Peacemakers Program. Program director Michelle Scully thanked everyone for the role they played in supporting the women through their time in Erie through ministry placements and friendships and the sisters who welcomed them into the monastery.