The Erie Benedictines recently hosted "Ministry Days" with the staff, volunteers, and board members of their ministries and good works, including staff at the monastery. "Creating community is a core value of Benedictine life and by gathering all those who minister with us for a day of sharing and learning, we are strengthening our Benedictine community,” said Michelle Scully, Program and Event Coordinator for the Benedictine Sisters.
The Benedictine ministries outside the monastery include St. Benedict Day Care Center, Emmaus Ministries, St. Benedict Education Center, Benetwood Apartments, Benetvision, Inner-city Neighborhood Art House, and Monasteries of the Heart/Listening Hearts. Other collaborators are Benedictines for Peace and the St. Benedict Alumnae Association and those who work at the monastery in food services, health care, housekeeping, and maintenance. Each of those ministries touches the lives people from all walks of life, and as Benedictine ministries, the values we hold get passed along.
In 2019 we held our first “Ministry Days” only months before the pandemic brought life to a standstill. “The energy around that initial event, and the indications on the evaluations afterward made us want to do it again,” said Sister Linda Romey, Coordinator of Communications and Development, who orchestrated the 2019 effort. “I was happy to share with Michelle our working plan from five years ago. She took it and ran with it.”
The program was offered twice, once in a morning ending with lunch and the next day beginning with lunch and ending at 4:00 p.m. About 140 persons attended on one day or the other. The program included brief introductions of each ministry by the directors, all but one of whom are now lay women.
Sister Stephanie Schmidt, prioress, welcomed our co-workers, Sister Anne McCarthy gave an overview of what it means to be a Benedictine and how we live what we believe. Sister Annette Marshall offered a history of the community and its ministries with pictures dating back to the early years. Sister Linda Romey brought it together by recognizing how each one of our collaborators, whatever their role, brings the Benedictine worldview into the larger world.
In addition to input, there was time for mingling and conversation which filled the monastery with a special kind of energy and enthusiasm. Chapter 57, the monastery gift shop, was open and a monastery tour was available. “We are grateful for everyone who helps us accomplish good works in our city and beyond,” said Sister Stephanie. “And we look forward to their next visit!”
