Benetwood Apartments

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Sister Joan Chittister delivered the closing keynote at the Call to Action annual conference in Milwaukee Nov. 5-7. Tom Fox, editor of the National Catholic Reporter, captured the moment in a candid profile of Joan published a couple days later. You can read his article at NCRonline.org. Joan’s presentation was titled “Prophets of a Future Not Our Own.”

Several Erie Benedictine oblates were in Milwaukee with Joan. They accompanied Sister Anne McCarthy in selling Joan’s many books at the Benetvision booth in the exhibit hall. Pictured are oblates (left to right) Mary Jo McEvoy, Sister Anne, Cheryl Bough, Betty Stockover and Barb Roseborough. Many of those who bought books stood in a long line on Saturday afternoon to have them signed and speak with Sister Joan.

An interview with Sister Joan, “Where Are Women's Voices for Peace?” was posted on Huffington Post on Nov. 13. (This interview is unrelated to CTA.)

Spaghetti and meatballs and ice cream sundaes—who wouldn’t like that? Perhaps it is better to ask: Who always likes that? The Benedictine Sisters know that the local fire department’s volunteers and their families do.

Sister Marcia Sigler (pictured at left) has been connected with the organization for more years then she can remember. She has participated in a number of training programs and served 10 years (1995-2005) as an active volunteer EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). At present, Sister Marcia’s work schedule at Hamot Medical Center as a nurse aide makes it difficult to serve as an active EMT but she says, “Although I am not active I am still connected.” Sister Marcia is considered an honorary member of the company and still helps with fundraising efforts when she is able.

Sister Mary Lou Kownacki recently shared her poetry and offered reflections on 40 years of living and working in the inner city to women gathered at the Erie/Meadville District United Methodist Women Annual Meeting in Geneva, PA, and again for Sunday school teachers at Wayside Presbyterian Chuch in Erie. The stories that form the basis of her presentation are published in her book, A Monk in the Inner City. The book is on the national United Methodist Women reading list. You can read an excerpt here.

More than 250 women and men renewed their annual commitment to live as Oblates of the Erie Benedictines in a ceremony at Evening Praise on Saturday, October 30. During the same ceremony 15 new oblates made their initial commitment to the common goal of all the oblates: to seek God through a life based on the Rule of Benedict. Each new initiate also received a copy of the Rule from Sister Anne Wambach, prioress.

The sisters blessed the Oblates as they received their promise to continue or begin their relationship of mutual support with the community — enabling a stronger Benedictine presence working for the transformation of the world.

Says Sister Marilyn Schauble, Oblate Director: “The Oblates of Mount Saint Benedict are truly amazing people. Their witness to the way of life that Benedict sets forth is edifying, exciting and challenging as they continue to seek God in their lives among co-workers, neighbors, family and friends. Because of who they are and how they live Benedictine values the world is a better place.”

Erie Benedictine Oblates are people from across the United States and abroad. Some live in Erie and work or volunteer in Benedictine ministries and visit the monastery frequently. Others live at a distance and travel to Erie for special gatherings, programs and celebrations. Some are unable to physically come to the monastery and they remain in contact with the oblates and sisters through an online relationship. Read more about the the life of an oblate at Sister Marilyn’s blog, Living the Zeal of Benedict.

On Sunday, October 31, Janice Etchison completed a one year commitment as a participant in the Benedicta Riepp Program.

During the past year Janice immersed herself in seeking God by living within community, participating in a program of study and embracing the monastic way of life together with the Benedictine Sisters. She also worked in various ministries throughout the year including St. Benedict Education Center, AIM (Alliance for International Monasticism), the community’s liturgy office and the infirmary. In addition she assisted with the preparation of the St. John’s Bible Exhibit at the monastery and belonged to Benedictines for Peace and sang in the Schola (sisters’ choir).

“I am overwhelmed by the community’s generosity and thank the sisters from the bottom of my heart for their graciousness and hospitality,” she said in her thank you to the community. Janice was celebrated at a special brunch with a blessing prayer from the community to support her as she continues to live the values of Benedictine spirituality in her daily life. She will stay in Erie and has accepted a position as Participant Coordinator at St. Benedict Education Center.

We pray for your loved ones and the yearnings of our souls for God. All of our loved ones are part of what the Church calls “the Communion of Saints.” On November 1 and 2, the Church commemorates these “saints” in a significant way by celebrating All Saints and All Souls Day.

The Sisters continue this observance throughout November with our Community of Life program. Please send us the name of those for whom you would like us to pray. We will place their names in our Basket of Life and a Sister will include your loved ones in her daily prayers. The Sisters will also remember your loved ones in our communal prayer each day.

We invite you to attend a special liturgy at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday, November 21 at 9:30 a.m. Please be our guest for coffee and breads after liturgy.

This is a very special time for the community as we are joined with you in a truly spiritual way. We are grateful and blest to celebrate a Community of Life with you.

Children at St. Benedict Child Development Center donned costumes and visited offices of various Benedictine ministries looking for treats and bringing smiles to staff. Sister Diane Rabe manages the center and its staff of 40, including Sisters Cindy Hoover, Beth Adams, Rita Groner and Kate Disbrow. More than 120 economically disadvantaged children, ages 3 months to 5 years, are taught and cared for in daycare, head start for migrant children, and infant care programs.

Sisters Laura Beichner and Marla Bleil enjoyed an evening carving elaborate jack-o-lanterns: a lion and a haunted house. Sister Laura is pictured here with her lion carving, on display in the monastery’s business office where she ministers.
The true detail of the pumpkin carvings comes through only when their inner candles glow in the dark:

Sister Christine Vladimiroff, past prioress, was the guest speaker at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Region IV conference in Greensburg, PA, last week. The conference topic centered on women religious and the Church. Sister Christine, a previous LCWR president, lectured on the place of women religious in the Church, both as baptized members and as members in consecrated life, as well as the prophetic dimension of consecrated life and how that unfolds in women religious and the Church today. Sisters Anne Wambach, prioress, and Susan Doubet, subprioress, attended the conference.

The LCWR is the association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference, which has 15 regions, has more than 1,500 members who represent more than 90% of the 59,000 women religious in the United States.

Sister Pat Hause (standing) visits with special guests at the monastery: residents of Benetwood Apartments, a 75-unit apartment building for the elderly and disabled located on property adjacent to the monastery. In the spirit of Benedictine hospitality, the monastery community invites the residents for a special prayer and dinner each October. Many residents regularly accompany the community for Sunday liturgy and meals and some volunteer or work with the sisters or at the monastery.