Monthly Update
November 2019
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Community of Life & Hope 2019
There is Still Time
Send us your Prayer Intentions
Join Us in Prayer

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. Philippians 4:6

Every year we invite you to join us in prayer during the very special month of November. It is a time when we come together as an extended Benedictine family to support each other in prayer. Whether it's for our deceased loved ones, a dear friend, or ourselves who need prayers, on November 1 and 2, All Saints and All Souls Days, we celebrate and commemorate the saints in our own lives, both living and dead.

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 specific intentions and loved ones in her own daily prayer.

Click here to go to our secure online form and send us the names of those for whom you would like us to pray.

Join us for a special Mass on the Feast of Christ the King at the monastery, Sunday, November 24 at 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and breads. 

While an offering for the  Community of Life and Hope program is not necessary, any gift makes a difference in the lives of many, most of whom you will never meet. We are grateful for your financial and prayerful support. Thank you!
Concert at the Monastery
November 9


The Young People's Chorus (YPC) Erie Chorale and the Choirs of Penn State Behrend will present a fall concert featuring songs from their respective holiday concerts. The YPC of Erie is a youth outreach organization of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Penn State Behrend. Dr. Gabrielle Dietrich is Artistic Director. To learn more about the Young People's Chorus of Erie, click here. 
 
For more information, email Marilyn Schauble, OSB
 
Date: Saturday, November 9
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery, 6101 East Lake Road
Cost: Free and open to the public
Enrichment Series
November 13

Dr. Greg Baker, Vice President of Mission at Mercyhurst University, will speak on "Renewed Hope for Ministry in an Age of Diminishing Religious Practices." Recent studies of American Catholics and Christians show clear trends of religious disaffiliation and shifting ways of holding onto religious identity and practice. Have churches lost their grip on everyday people, and what is the appropriate response? Dr. Baker will argue that amidst rapid changes in the religious landscape there are clear signs of hope for those who minister and seek to accompany others towards spiritual maturity.
 
For more information, email Stephanie Schmidt, OSB, Director of Monastic Formation. 
 
Date: Wednesday, November 13
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery, 6101 East Lake Road
Cost: Free and open to the public
Stillpoint Retreat
November 16

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.

Register online here.

Email Sister Margaret Zeller for more information. 

Mark your calendar for a future Stillpoint day: December 7

Date: Saturday, November 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Glinodo Conference Center
Cost: $15, registration required
Silent Peace Walk
November 18
 
Silent Peace Walks promote inner peace which does away with fear, divisions and hatred and brings about peace and unity in the world. As we walk around the prison, we will be especially aware of immigrants in detention in our country, especially the children. All are welcome to join this simple, public nonviolent action for peace.

For more information email Anne McCarthy, OSB, BFP Coordinator. 
 
Date: Monday, November 18
Time: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Erie County Prison, 1618 Ash Street
Isaiah's Advent Promise of Peace eCourse
December 1-28

Oblate Nancy Small is creator and facilitator of this new Advent eCourse at Monasteries of the Heart. She will focus on the writings of the prophet Isaiah that resound with hope throughout the Advent season. This great prophet proclaimed God's promise of peace during turbulent times of war and calamity. Indeed, the Book of Isaiah chronicles a great tension between violence and the peaceable kin-dom promised by God. No matter how great the tension or how deep the turmoil, Isaiah remained anchored in a vision of peace that persevered through times of peril.

This four-week eCourse runs December 1-28. Register at Monasteries of the Heart. 

Dates: December 1-28
Time: At your convenience
Location: Online at Monasteries of the Heart
Cost: $20

SAVE THE DATE
#iGIVECATHOLIC part of #GIVINGTUESDAY
December 3

# GivingTuesday is a global day of giving celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. To raise awareness and support for the charitable, educational, and spiritual ministries of the Diocese of Erie, the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is participating for the first time ever in the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day as part of
#GivingTuesday.

The Benedictine Sisters of Erie have been invited to participate, and during a 24-hour period on December 3, 2019 from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm CST, you can make an online donation to the community. Click here to go to our #iGiveCatholic page.

If you wish, gifts may be made in advance for #iGiveCatholic between November 18, 2019 and December 2, 2019. Simply go to #iGiveCatholic .

For more information on the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day, contact Patti Eichen, Development Associate at 814-899-0614, Ext 2442, or at  [email protected] .

Silent Peace Walk
December 4
 
Mark your calendar for December Silent Peace Walk at Perry Square. All are welcome to join this simple, public nonviolent action for peace.

For more information  email Anne McCarthy, OSB, BFP Coordinator. 
 
Date: Wednesday, December 4
Time: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Perry Square, State Street and South Park Row
Stillpoint Retreat
December 7

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.

Register online here.

Email Sister Margaret Zeller for more information. 

Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Glinodo Conference Center
Cost: $15, registration required
Ongoing
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 these sisters who are Certified Spiritual Directors. Click here.
 
Suggested offering is $30/session.
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
Weaving Classes

 
Weaving classes provide instruction for beginner and intermediate weavers. Beginners will learn how to warp a loom, and weave tabby and twill fabric in the form of a sampler that can be used as place-mats or a runner. Intermediate students will be instructed based on their level of knowledge. Floor and table looms are provided for use during class time and materials are available.

Loom rentals: The studio has several large 4-harness looms and one 8-harness loom that can be rented by experienced weavers for in-studio use if they not in use by a student. Cost: $10 per day. Click here for more information.

If you are interested contact Oblate Barbara Hauck, 814-449-2217 or  emaIlClick here to download a flier. 
 
Date: Thursdays and/or Saturdays
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Studio at St. Mary's Space to Create, 310 East 10th Street, parking and entrance in rear
Cost: $195 plus materials cost for six weeks
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.