Listening Hearts, a grassroots program offering Benedictine spirituality to women in Erie challenged by poverty, launched its 2023-24 cohort at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery on October 11. Over the next nine months, the group will be exploring ideas from Chapter 7 of the Rule of Benedict on the 12 steps of humility, using The Way to Inner Freedom journal by Sr Joan Chittister. The session on Wednesday included prayer, introductions, an overview of the program and this year’s theme, a lectio activity and sharing of insights. Eight participants joined the sisters for lunch, expressing their appreciation for the beautiful surroundings, companionship and meal.

This year marks a new beginning for the group, with a new location, the monastery, and a new facilitation team. Sister Anne McCarthy, who co-established the group in 2016 with Sister Carolyn Gorny-Kopkowski, is co-facilitating this year’s cohort, with Sister Colleen Leathley and oblate Cherylann Carter. Sister Ann Muczynski is assisting in an advisory capacity. Listening Hearts is a ministry of Monasteries of the Heart, sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. For more information, email [email protected].