Pennsylvania State Representative Bob Merski surprised Prioress Stephanie Schmidt and the sisters with a visit and a citation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives in honor of Catholic Sisters Week. Sporting his “Caring for Earth, Caring for You" Catholic Sisters Week button, Representative Merski thanked the sisters for their presence and service in Erie. He praised the piece in last Sunday’s Erie Times News written by Sisters Pat Lupo and Dorothy Stoner that situated this year’s CSW theme of caring for the earth at the heart of our faith, as the encyclical Laudato Sí instructs. “I am so grateful that in Laudato Sí Pope Francis expanded our understanding of theology, encouraging all of us to see God in everything. When we see God in all of creation, then we do need to take responsibility and care not only for our earth, but for each other. And the sisters do that, they model this care in their lives and work.”

The citation reads, in part, “...Whereas, for a century and a half, nuns in the Benedictine Sisters of Erie have lived a communal life and cared for the poor and marginalized in northwestern Pennsylvania, now therefore, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania joins with citizens across this commonwealth in commemorating Catholic Sisters Week; salutes the Benedictine Sisters of Erie as they recommit themselves to the ideals and standards which have sustained it for the past 170 years; offers best wishes for a continued tradition of excellent service and humanitarian endeavors in the years to come...”

Rep. Merksi has strong Benedictine connections: his mother was a graduate of St. Benedict's Academy and Sister Audrey Berdis, now deceased, was his aunt. "I always want to stay longer when I come here," he said as his assistant pointed him towards the door. "I feel at home here." 

Pictured are: Sister Stephanie Schmidt, Prioress, Representative Merski, Sister Miriam Mashank, Sister Diane Rabe