Monthly Update
November 2017
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Community of Life & Hope 2017
There is Still Time
Send us your Prayer Intentions

"The early Christians used an anchor as a symbol of hope," Pope Francis said, "To have our hearts anchored up there where our loved ones are, where the saints are, where Jesus is, where God is - that is hope. That is the hope that doesn't disappoint."


Dear ,

Most of us have experienced a profound grief when a dear friend, family member, or even a cherished pet dies. I'm certain that, like me, you miss them terribly and think of them often. However, I know that I receive comfort when I honor the memory of my loved ones through prayer.
One of the most important gifts we bring to one another is to support each other in prayer. At times life can be difficult and overwhelming. The support of others can give us strength, bring us hope, and let us know that we are part of a community of love and care.

In November we celebrate our deceased loved ones in a significant way especially on All Saints and All Souls Days. At Mount Saint Benedict Monastery the sisters and I continue this tradition. We invite you to be a part of our prayer community and join us in a truly spiritual way during the entire month of November. We also want to remember the intentions of those still living.

Whether it's for a deceased loved one, or a prayer request for yourself, family, or friends,  just send us the names of those for whom you would like us to pray by  clicking here. You can also  click here to print a PDF version of this letter and send to us via regular mail. All of your names and intentions will be placed in the chapel and be remembered everyday by the entire community. Also, a sister will include your intentions and your loved ones in her own daily prayers.
  
I hope you will accept this invitation to a special Mass on the Feast of Christ the King at the monastery, Sunday, November 26 at 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and breads.
We give thanks for the blessings and hope you bring to us, and for joining us in prayer,

Sister Anne Wambach, OSB
Prioress
 
Living Compassion Today: 
Overnight Retreat in Ludlow, PA
November 8-9

Marian Wehler, OSB and Tina Geiger, RSM, invite you to an overnight retreat to reflect on Pope Francis' "World Day of Peace Message." Anne McCarthy, OSB, will be our guest presenter. Retreat includes time for prayer, reflection and sharing with the group after each presentation. Sister Anne leads retreats on nonviolence and monastic spirituality around the country. Long involved in peace and justice ministry nationally and locally, she is on the international board of the Monastic Inter-Religious Dialogue.

Call 814-677-2032 to register or send your registration to:
Catholic Rural Ministry, 7 Pulaski St., Oil City, PA  16301
Include full payment ($50) or a $25 deposit with your registration.

For more information, call Sister Marian at 814-677-2032.

Date: Wednesday and Thursday, November 8-9
Time: Noon to Noon
Location: Olmsted Manor Conference Center, Ludlow PA
Cost: $50 ($25 at registration)
Discover Your Inner Artist Painting Class
Neighborhood Art House  
November 10
 
Tap into your inner artist under the direction of artist and Neighborhood Art House teacher, Mary Kay Geary. This acrylic painting class for adults will not exceed 15 participants, so register early. Your $35 registration  fee includes all materials, snacks and soft drinks.
 
For more information or to register contact Sister Annette Marshall at the Art House: 455-5508 or email.

Read more about the Art House here
 
Date: Friday, November 10
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Neighborhood Art House, 201 East 10th Street
Cost: $35

Stillpoint Day of Reflection
November 11

The Stillpoint Contemplative Retreat Day is silent and includes eight sitting sessions with chanting, contemplative walking, and teachings. Dress comfortably and bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea provided. You'll have a chance to enjoy a quiet walk outdoors on woodland trails that wind through the monastery grounds.

NEW: Register online here.

Email Sister Margaret Zeller for more information. 
Mark your calendar for the final Stillpoint retreat of 2017: Dec. 9

Date: Saturday, November 11
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Glinodo Center, 6270 East Lake Road
Cost: $15, registration required

Silent Peace Walk
November 16


Silent Peace Walks promote inner peace which does away with fear, divisions and hatred and brings about peace and unity in the world. We begin with a peace poem, walk in silence, single file for 20 minutes and end with a peace poem and chant.

Sponsored by Benedictines for Peace. For more information, email Sister Anne McCarthy, BFP Coordinator. Visit the Benedictines for Peace webpage.

Sign up to receive reminders and alerts from BFP for Silent Peace Walks, Take Back the Site Vigils, Immigration Vigils and other events.

December's Silent Peace Walk will be at Perry Square on December 14.
 
Date: Thursday, November 16
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Erie High School, 3325 Cherry Street
Cost: Free, all are welcome

First Advent Vigil
December 2

Please join the Benedictine community as we celebrate the Vigil of Advent on each Saturday during Advent. Pray with us and watch the light of the Advent candles grow strong and bright as Christmas draws near. Celebrate hope, and in faith open your hearts to the promise of the coming of our God.

Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery Chapel
All are invited

The Art of Pausing eRetreat
at Monasteries of the Heart
December 2 - 28

What would you begin to see if you were really awake, really alive, to all that surrounds you? And what would it take for you to begin that awakening process? This Advent, amid the busyness of your life and the rush of the coming holidays, take the time to stop for a moment, to breathe deeply, and to capture the beauty around you, by participating in The Art of Pausing, a new eRetreat led by poet, author, and Benedictine oblate Judith Valente. In four audio presentations, Valente will share how to pause and appreciate ordinary sacred moments, how to practice Vuja de, seeing the familiar with fresh eyes, how to be at ease with "doing nothing," and how to revel in mystery and wonder.

Read more and  register here
 
Date: Saturday, December 2 - Thursday, December 28
Location: Online at Monasteries of the Heart
Cost: $30
SBA Christmas Party 
December 5
 
Don't miss the annual SBA Christmas Party. Doors will open at 4:30 pm. Cash Bar available. Sit-down dinner will be
served promptly at 6:45. Over 50 Gift
Baskets will be raffled. Guests are welcome.

Call Ann Comstock now to reserve your place: 814-899-0614 ext. 2573 or   email. 
 
Date: Tuesday, December 5
Time: 4:30 p.m. doors open; dinner served at 6:45 p.m.
Location: Ambassador Conference Center, 7794 Peach St, Erie
Cost: $35


SAVE THE DATE
Mid-Life/Long-Life Retreat  for 
Personal and Spiritual Growth for Adults.
Mark your calendar now for a weekend experience to refocus in the midst of life's changes with a Mid-Life/Long-Life Retreat for Personal and Spiritual Growth for Adults. 
Dates for 2018: May 18-20, September 7-9.


STAY CONNECTED with BFP
Receive reminder alerts from Benedictines for Peace each time there is a
--Take Back the Site Vigil
--A Silent Peace March
--An event or action that BFP is supporting
CLICK HERE to read more and sign up. 
Play Pickleball™ 
Call for schedule
Playing Pickleball® at SBCC is different than playing it anywhere else in the city. We are Erie's only Benedictine gym and being Benedictine means hospitality is one of our top priorities. Your friends, co-workers and family members will enjoy the friendly, unintimidating and even intimate setting of our facility that larger gyms and clubs simply can't offer. We offer you:
  • Two courts with seamless, cushioned flooring that is gentle on joints
  • Court times Monday to Saturday, mornings and evenings
  • Memberships and discount cards available
  • Free use of equipment (paddles and balls)
  • Free lesson on your first visit
  • Private bookings available
Click here for more information or call Sister Dianne Sabol, Director, 814-459-2406, to schedule court times.

Date: Call to schedule
Location: St. Benedict Community Center, 320 East 10th Street, Erie
Cost: Fees vary for regular court times
Spiritual Direction available

Spiritual Direction, sometimes referred to as spiritual guidance or spiritual friendship, is an on-going relationship in which one person (the directee), wanting to be attentive to his or her spiritual life, meets with another person (the director) on a regular basis, specifically for the purpose of becoming more attuned to God's presence in order to respond more fully to that presence in all of life. The primary focus of the session is the directee's relationship with God as it is reflected and challenged by all aspects of that person's life. 


 Visit our Spirituality Page to learn about and/or contact our sisters who are Certified Spiritual Directors. Click here.


 Suggested offering is $30/session.


 

 

Guest Accommodations available
One of the greatest gifts monastics can offer is their monastery as a place of prayer and peace, community and care, welcome and hospitality. In doing so monastics take to heart what Benedict advocates: the monastery is a dwelling where guests are to be cherished and respected, where hearts overflow "with the inexpressible delight of love." -Prologue, Rule of Benedict
 
Come for a week, a weekend, or a single overnight. 
Click here for a guest registration form.