Katie Gordon, member of the Pax Priory community of the Benedictine Sisters, was a responder at the 2024 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Assembly in Orlando, Florida this past August. She was asked, as a lay woman, to respond to the question, Who Do We Need You to Be for the World? In her comments Katie shared with the 750 participants that she is "drawn to a form of religious life that does not yet exist...we do not know how to name what it is I am trying to live into." Her future depends on the trust and openness of women religious to listen and believe that the charisms are big enough to hold all, to risk the questions that will lead to new forms of living a way of life rooted in spirituality and community.

Erie Benedictines, including Emmaus Ministries director Sister Val Luckey, were among the thirty cyclists who took part the Emmaus Ministries Urban Bike Tour on September 13. The 18-mile ride was planned as a special forward-looking part of Emmaus' 50th year providing "bread for the body, food for the soul."

We gathered to pray for stabbing victim Michelle Sue Hanson and all those affected by her violent death.

What is the current situation of workers and their families? What are their needs? How can they best be addressed?
These questions are being raised throughout the political campaign. They are important questions, but they are not only political questions. The issues of work and workers are basic human issues. Of spiritual concern. With ecological ramifications.

With the presidential campaign in the United States in full swing, it's important to know the issues, to ask questions, to vote, and to pray for good and healthy leaders to emerge. Joan Chittister's Prayer for Leadership is available as a free digital download. Sister Joan's prayer asks God to give us insight in choosing leaders who can distinguish between strength and power, growth and greed.

Prioress Sister Stephanie Schmidt, (left) presented Dr. Alice Edwards, (right) chair of the department of Anthropology and World Languages and Professor of Spanish at Mercyhurst University, with the Benedictine Sisters' 2024 Prophet of Peace Award on Sunday, September 21 during a special evening prayer. Oblate Mary Hembrow Snyder, longtime friend and colleague of Alice, nominated her for the award writing, that "Alice is the epitome of someone who listens deeply with the ear of her heart, a practice foundational to Benedictine spirituality. To whom does she listen? Anyone in need of her compassion, her honesty, her wisdom. That includes family, friends, colleagues, students, refugees, abused women, those grieving the loss of a loved one, and many more. She is a beloved inspiration to all who know her."

Erie Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister and Liz Cheney will open the Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit XVI on October 17. Liz Cheney, former U.S. representative for Wyoming and chair of the House Republican Conference, served as the Vice Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Her integrity in standing by the constitution and confronting then-President Donald Trump for his role in attempting to block the confirmation of the 2020 election and inciting the January 6 insurrection cost her her leadership positions. Her memoir, Oath and Honor, was published in 2023.

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