Monthly Update
March 2019
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Celebrating Mary Oliver
March 7
 
The words of the poet Mary Oliver have affected and inspired many of us. To honor the life of this beloved poet, who died in January, we will gather to share and reflect on the impact she has made in our own lives. Come prepared to share a verse or stanza of her work that is meaningful to you as well as a personal response to your selection. You might respond to your Oliver poem with a piece of art you've created, a movement or gesture to accompany the lines, a poem of your own, a song, a dance, a memorization, or simply a personal reflection on why you chose what you did. Or, you might just come to listen to the ways Oliver's work has impacted others. Join as we celebrate the poet who has asked us all what we plan to do with our "one wild and precious life."
 
For more information
email Val Luckey, OSB. 

Date: Thursday, March 7
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Women's Writing Studio at St. Mary's A Space to Create 
310 East 10th Street, Erie PA, 16503
Suggested donation: $3.00 contribution for light refreshments

Lenten Vigils
March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, April 13
 
"Lent is not a ritual. It is time given to think seriously about who Jesus is for us, to renew our faith from the inside out." -Joan Chittister, OSB, The Liturgical Year
 
Lenten Vigils will take place every Saturday during Lent at Mount St. Benedict Monastery. Guests are welcome.
 
Reflections will be given by:
March 9: Sister Placida Anheuser
March 16: Sister Marlene Bertke
March 23: Sister Therese Glass
March 30: Sister Rose Ann Kolbas
April 6: Sister Colette Korn
April 13: Oblate Cindy Liotta
 
Date: Saturdays during Lent
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery Chapel
Cost: All are welcome
Discover Your Inner Artist:
DIY Personal Mug
March 12, March 26
 
Design and make your very own mug out of clay. No artistic ability or previous experience is necessary.  You will receive step-by-step instruction from Eliza Wolfe, owner of Main Street Arts in Girard and Neighborhood Art House clay teacher.
 
This class is held in two sessions - March 12 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and March 26 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Your registration fee covers all materials and light snacks.
 
Mark your calendar for future classes:  March 28 and April 4: Go Back to Nature for Your Easter Baskets taught by Chris Palotas Bowler; April: Drawing Spring Flowers taught by Jonalee Hlusko and May: Acrylic Painting taught by Mary Kay Geary.
   
For more information email Annette Marshall, OSB. 
 
Date: Tuesday March 12 and Tuesday March 26
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Neighborhood Art House, 201 East 10th Street, Erie
Cost: $30
Silent Peace Walk
March 14


Silent Peace Walks are a response to fear, divisions and hatred and promote peace and unity in the world. In March, we reflect on those who are vulnerable, especially those in recovery from addictions.  Sign up here  to receive an email alert with additional information.

This event is sponsored by Benedictines for Peace. For more information,  email Sister Anne McCarthy , BFP Coordinator, or  visit the Benedictines for Peace webpage .

Click here to download a flyer.

NOTE: Because of Good Friday Peace Pilgrimage there is no Silent Peace Walk in April.

Date: Thursday, March 14

Time: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: West 11th and Myrtle Streets, Erie

Cost: All are welcome
 
Stillpoint Day of Reflection
March 30

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 these 2019 dates now: April 13, May 4

Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Glinodo Center, 6270 East Lake Road
Cost: $15, registration required
Extraordinary Time: Spiritual Reflections from Time of Trial and Transition eCourse
April 1-19
 
Laura Dunham, author of Extraordinary Time: Spiritual Reflections from a Season with Cancer, Death, and Transition, will offer deep reflections on the universal themes of suffering, healing, death, and the afterlife drawn from the Christian tradition and her own experience, and will invite participants to do the same.
 
Listen to a short audio by Laura as she describes the content of this eCourse. 
 
Register now at Monasteries of the Heart. 

Dates: April 1 - 19
Time: At your convenience
Location: Online at Monasteries of the Heart
Cost: $20
The Rise of Nones: Americans with No Religious Affiliation 
April 3

  Sister Linda Romey will be one of five panelists discussing "The Rise of the Nones: Americans with No Religious Affiliation" at an event sponsored by the Interfaith Council at Edinboro University. Sister Linda is a staff member at Monasteries of the Heart and Benetvision and participates in monthly meetings with Nuns & Nones
 
For more information, contact Steve Sullivan, Associate Professor of English and Philosophy, Edinboro University, email, or call 814-732-1512.
 
Date: Wednesday, April 3
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: 107A Compton Hall, Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA
Open to the public

Mid-Life/Long-Life Retreat for Personal and Spiritual Growth for Adults
May 17-19
 
Register now for a weekend experience and refocus in the midst of life's changes with a Mid-Life/Life-Long Retreat that:
--provides time to reflect on your past
--looks at present reality and future hopes
--helps you welcome transitions and reclaim gifts
--incorporates Judeo-Christian spirituality, Jungian and developmental psychology.
 
Click here  for more information and a downloadable registration form or contact Sister Rosanne Loneck, certified Mid-Life/Life-Long consultant: 814-899-0614 or email.

Register now, participation is limited.
Date: May 17-19
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery
Recommended donation: $275 resident; $200 commuter

A
SAVE THE DATE
Fundraiser Golf Tournament
June 17

Golf! Volunteer! Sponsor! Donate! Your support of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie Charity Fundraiser Golf Tournament means as much to us as a hole-in-one means to a golfer! Why? Because a hole-in-one is something you remember and cherish. And your support of our community's 160-year presence in the Erie area is a sign of friendship that we will treasure forever. As Sisters of St. Benedict we live in community and pray and work together to help bring the reign of God to our suffering world. But we can't do all the good works that need to be done without generous support. So, we are coming to you to ask that you help us, that together we can continue to witness God's love and impact the pressing needs of our society. 

More information including golfer registration, sponsorships and volunteer sign-up form is at www.eriebenedictines.org/golf

Date: June 17
Location: Lake Shore Country Club, Erie, PA

STAY CONNECTED with BFP
Receive reminder alerts from Benedictines for Peace each time there is a
--Take Back the Site Vigil
--Silent Peace March
--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 from 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.