Federation of St Scholastica Chapter

Sisters Linda Romey, Stephanie Schmidt, Anne Wambach, and Kath Horan

Sisters Linda Romey, Stephanie Schmidt, Anne Wambach, and Kath Horan represented the Benedictine Sisters of Erie as delegates to the Federation of St. Scholastic General Chapter held at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, in June. The theme of the 2022 Chapter was radical hospitality, which Sister Judith Sutera of the Atchison community and Sister Maricarmen Bracamontes, prioress of the Pan de Vida Monastery in Torreon, Mexico, addressed.

More than 50 delegates representing the 17 member monasteries of the Federation participated in the quadrennial chapter. This particular chapter included historical displays, celebratory meals and programs, a specially composed song, and an anniversary publication all marking the 100th anniversary of the Federation itself. 

One of the outcomes of this Chapter was the renaming of the Federation to Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica. After studying research and documentation, the delegates agreed that the name change would more accurately reflect Benedictine women's monastic identity. 

The work of the delegates during the Chapter includes the election of a president and council. Sister Lynn McKenzie of Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, AL, was re-elected president and Sister Anne Wambach, who has served on the Federation Council for the past eight years, was re-elected to another four-year term, this time to serve the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica.