Volunteers and sisters braved a wet Saturday to tackle some of the invasive species in the landscaping around the monastery. "We have been working to eliminate invasive species here at the Mount," said Sister Annette Marshall, chair of the Care for the Earth committee. She explained that invasive species are types of plants and animals that have been introduced into an area that do not belong there naturally and are prone to take over an area and not allow the native plants or animals to live there. The main invasive species that we have been working to eliminate has been multifloral rose - which the goats we have hired for the past three summers have been helping us do. Another invasive that is often used in landscaping and was introduced onto monastery property in that way is English ivy. It has been growing since 1970 and has gotten out of hand and has been growing on the trees. It needs to be manually removed and replaced with a native ground cover.

“Laudato Sí, mi Signore” – “Praise be to you, My Lord.” In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “…. who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.” #1

Prioress Sister Stephanie Schmidt was honored as the 2025 Religious of the Year by the Serra Club at a special liturgy and dinner on May 27. Sister Stephanie was nominated for the award by by Judge Stephanie Domitrovich. In her brief remarks, Sister Stephanie noted that we must cultivate “holy families,” the place where all our vocations begin. The Serra Club will make a $200 donation to a Benedictine ministry in her name. Serrans promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Pictured are Mike Elia, outgoing Serra Club president, and awardees Deacon Dennis Deiner, Layperson Charlie Rutkowski, Sister Stephanie, and Father Michael Kesicki.

"I am beyond grateful to the Erie County Gaming Authority (ECGRA) for focusing on the community, especially the most vulnerable and youngest in our community," said Carrisa Kepple, Director of Saint Benedict Child Development Center, when she learned that the Center was to be awarded a $52,749 grant to help recruit and retain qualified educators. "The teachers at Saint Benedict's devote their lives to making sure the children we serve obtain the best education possible during their time with us. The work they do does not stop when they clock out at the end of the day. Many of them are furthering their own education either by taking Child Development Associate courses, obtaining their Pennsylvania teaching certificates, or completing their master's in education. Their work never goes unnoticed, but grants such as this, which let them know that 'We see you and ee thank you for your hard work and efforts,' make a world of difference in a field that often gets overlooked."

The rain stopped and the sun broke through the clouds just in time for the May 17 “Mother Earth Day” poetry reading at the Poetry Park on East 22nd Street in Erie. “About forty people, including neighborhood kids, joined us to read and listen to poetry that deepened our love of Mother Earth as our home,” said Katie Gordon, one of the event planners. The reading featured two local poets, Niecey Nicole and Matt Borczon. Matt is a cousin of Sister Mary Lou Kownacki, who with Sister Mary Miller, created the Poetry Park for the children in their neighborhood. Although the sisters have both died their memory lives on in the park that is artfully designed with the words of poets on sculptures and boulders.

Sisters Anne Wambach (left) and Linda Romey wove through downtown Erie streets on Saturday, May 10, in the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House Art & Sole 5-K. A record number of runners and walkers—well over 200—joined in the annual fundraiser for the Art House, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Dozens of volunteers hosted activities for kids in the Art House parking lot while local sports and business mascots meandered through the crowd and danced to the music that was only interrupted to announce the start of each event, including a 1-K kids run. Many donors and sponsors made the event possible, and City of Erie police officers stationed along the route, which went all the way to the lakefront before heading east and then returning to the Art House, kept runners and walkers safe in the streets.

In commemoration of Earth Day 2025 residents and staff of Benetwood Apartments planted a blooming cherry tree in honor of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. "We gathered to plant the tree in gratitude for the sisters, we love being next to the monastery and sharing our grounds. We are working together to keep this land healthy and beautiful," said Wendy Wallace, Manager at Benetwood Apartments. Planting took place in the same patch of front lawn in which a forty-four-year-old oak tree needed to be removed last fall due to disease. There was a brief presentation with the reading of Joyce Kilmer's poem, "Trees," and then all present help plant and bless the tree. Now that the snow is gone and the sun is shining, Benetwood residents are again using the path through the woods to enjoy walks on the adjacent monastery grounds. Benetwood, which opened in 1981, is a 75-unit government-subsided non-profit senior apartment building administered by the Benedictine Sisters.

In the presence of her Benedictine sisters and many friends, colleagues, and family members, Sister Jacqueline Sanchez-Small made her final monastic profession at the Vigil of Sunday on Saturday, May 3, in the monastery chapel.