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The Rule of Benedict teaches that joy is what orients Benedictines towards others. Joy connects us to God. Joy sustains us through life. Spirit of Joy gives witness to the joy of community with one another, family, friends and oblates through prayer, ministry and daily life. It is a clear reminder that God is the source of our joy and our joy is an “infallible sign of the presence of God” (Teilard de Chardin).
Calendar of Events
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July 2, 2013
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July 7, 2013
Events Around Erie
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July 14, 2013 to July 19, 2013
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Spirit of Joy
News and Events
Congratulations to SBEC!
June 19, 2013
St. Benedict Education Center (SBEC) received four awards at the June 11th annual Pennsylvania Refugee Resettlement Consultation at the Willow Valley Doubletree Resort in Lancaster. “Employer of the Year” awards went to Presque Isle Downs & Casino and Geosource. Both were nominated by SBEC for the employment opportunities they have provided for refugees enrolled in programs at SBEC. As one of the largest...
"Retreat-ing" with the Questions in the Rule of Benedict
June 18, 2013
Father Paul Mark Schwan, abbot of the Cistercian Abbey of New Clairvaux in Vina, CA, is no stranger to the Erie Benedictines. He has visited the monastery on several occasions as a member of the AIM-USA (Alliance for International Monasticism) board of which he currently serves as president. But this is the first time he took on the leadership for the community’s annual retreat.
Under Father Paul Mark’s direction the community was guided in a reflection on the questions...
The Greenhouse Garden: Part VI
June 16, 2013
Sister Dianne Sabol takes a regular trip to the kitchen to deliver the produce from the Greenhouse Garden. In this photo she makes monastery cook Cathy Bliss very happy with fresh greens of leaf lettuce, romaine and arugala, and a selection of herbs including basil, sage and cilantro. The sisters are enjoying these “fruits of the earth” at their meals and look forward to more produce to come with great anticipation.
Watering the garden has become a shared chore and different sisters take turns. “I look out for a special tomato plant," said Sister Marlene Bertke. "I love tending it...
St. Benedict Community Center Hosts 12th Annual Partners in Dance Program
June 14, 2013
St. Benedict Community Center (SBCC) was the site of the 12th Annual Partners in Dance program presented by Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA) and Dafmark Dance Studio. The mission of SBCC is to provide a recreational facility for peoples of all races and challenges. EHCA uses the facility two days a week. As part of the Move Program, the clients receive dance instruction and they use part of their gym time...
Art & Sole 2013
June 13, 2013
Prioress Sister Anne Wambach congratulates Sister Annette Marshall, Executive Director of the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House (NAH), on a successful 2013 Art&Sole.
A RECORD CROWD of 330 participants, including Sister Anne who completed the 5K walk, were at the ready at 9:00 am Saturday, June 8 for the 6th Annual Art & Sole 5K Run/Walk, a benefit event for NAH
In addition to the individual times recorded for each runner and walker, 16 teams competed for recognition in the first A&S Team Challenge. This year a very active Art & Sole...
Postulant Patricia Witulski Requests Entrance into the Novitiate
June 9, 2013
For the past year, Patricia Witulski has continued to discern her call to the monastic way of life with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. As a postulant Pat became more familiar with Benedictine spirituality through participation in the prayer, work and life of the community. She chose St. Benedict Education Center (SBEC) as her place of ministry and has been a teacher of English and basic skills to the refugee population enrolled in SBEC’s programs. “My experience in this particular ministry has been priceless,” Pat said. “There was...
Sister Patricia Hause: Recipient of the ICA Member of the Year Award
June 8, 2013
Every month the members of the Independent Council on Aging (ICA) meet to report on the work they are doing with seniors and to be enriched by input from various speakers on topics of interest to seniors. The June monthly meeting, so much like each month’s meeting, held a special annual event: the conferring of the “Member of the Year” Award. Sister Patricia Hause was the recipient of this honor.
Sister Pat is the administrator of Benetwood Apartments, the low-rise...
SBA Alum Gather for a “Weekend to Remember”
June 6, 2013
This year marks 25 years since the last class walked the halls of St. Benedict Academy (SBA). And yet, the spirit of SBA could not be more alive and well!
A “Weekend to Remember” was an opportunity for the alum to share memories and renew friendships through a series of events. Nearly 200 women gathered for a Summer Luncheon at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center. Several vendors were available for the ladies’ shopping pleasure, including Chapter 57, the Benedictine Sisters’ Gift Shop, and...
Maryknoller Shares His Mission Experience in China with the Sisters
June 4, 2013
Twins? No! Siblings? Yes! Sister Mary Therese Egan welcomed her look-alike brother to the Mount to share with the community the story of his ministry and the Church in China. Father Tom Egan, M.M., a Maryknoll priest, has served in Asia, both in South Korea and Northeast China, for the better part of almost 50 years.
After providing rich background on the People’s Republic of China, including details about its size, geographic location and government, Father Tom talked about the Church. While it seems to be doing fairly...
Emmaus Grove in the News!
June 4, 2013
A garden with 56 raised beds. More than 70 varieties of vegetables and fruits from all over the world. Non–genetically-modified organic seeds and starters. An urban farm school.
All these interesting facts─and more─are presented in a front page article, “Urban Garden: 56 raised beds raise awareness, hope” that appeared in a recent issue of the Erie Times-News.
Read about the vision of Rosemary Gantz, founder and chief executive of the...
The Greenhouse Garden: Part V
June 2, 2013
The seedlings are in! “The garden is growing vegetables and spices,” said Sister Dianne. “At the same time it is growing excitement among the community and our oblates, families, and friends.”
Sister Dianne Sabol and Oblate Margaret Kloecker are pleased to report that the planting went without a hitch. Visitors to the Greenhouse remark on the beauty of the garden: so many shades of green and so much variety.
Shared interest, shared care, shared optimism—this is the...