Monthly Update
September 2019
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Vigil for Immigrant Children
September 4

A local prayer vigil for Immigrant Children will connect with a national Catholic action for Immigrant Children in Newark, NJ, happening at the same time. Join us to pray for justice for children held in detention facilities and their families, for an end to child detention, and for a moral and humane response to all who come to our country seeking refuge. Some from Benedictines for Peace Erie are participating in the Newark, NJ action.

For more information email Anne McCarthy, OSB, BFP Coordinator. 
 
Date: Wednesday, September 4
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Northwest corner of 2nd and State Streets, Erie
Lectio with Food eCourse
September 9-27

Mindfulness when we eat...share a meal...shop and cook...tend a vegetable garden...support food sustainability...volunteer at a food program...and gratitude for the gift of nourishment. This is lectio with food. This eCourse will encourage a slow, meditative encounter with food----  preparing it, sharing it, and eating it----  that also can lead to prayer. Such mindfulness creates in us a posture of gratitude for the earth that sustains us and joy in the experience of "juicy rich foods and pure choice wine." Is. 25:6

This three-week eCourse at Monasteries of the Heart will be facilitated by Mary Beth Peterseim, Sharon Piano, Val Luckey, OSB, and Linda Romey, OSB. LISTEN to them share insights from their food lectio experience: CLICK HERE.  
 

Dates: September 9-27
Time: At your convenience
Location: Online at Monasteries of the Heart
Cost: $20
Taste of the Arts
September 10

The Taste of the Arts planning committee, most ably chaired by Annalynn Shuttleworth, Lisa Chinsky, and Tammy Batchelor, is "cooking up" a spectacular evening of fun and food for the 2019 Taste of the Arts: The Arts...Our Secret Ingredient. The evening includes cocktails and fantastic light buffet, live auction of a major piece by our featured student artist, silent auction featuring local artists and experience packages, interactive art demonstrations by students, a program that includes student performances, raffle and sales of student art. Invite your friends and family to spend this special evening at the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House. All proceeds benefit programming in the arts and environment for inner-city children.

Click here for pdf of invitation.
For more information contact
Kelly Stolar

Date: Tuesday, September 10
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Under the tent at the Neighborhood Art House
Cost: $50
Writing as Spiritual Practice
September 11, 2nd Wednesday of month

Writing can be a spiritual practice if you let it open yourself to the circus of human emotions. The ashes of grief. The light of praise. The scars of failure. The chant of gratitude. The overflowing mug of mercy. The windstorm of anger. Or loneliness-ah, that lovely blue heron in flight. After all, what is a spiritual person except a whole human being... and writing is one way to grow into all you were meant to be. Our format is simple. We will read, reflect, and discuss a poem together and then-right from the heart-respond in writing. All are welcome. The only requirement is a soft leaning toward writing as a spiritual path that you'd like to explore. Sessions are second Wednesday of the month.
 
Facilitated by Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB. For more information, contact Sister Mary Lou. 
 
Date: Wednesdays, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: The Writing Studio, 310 East 10th Street, Erie
Cost: $20 for five sessions
Take Back the Site Vigil
September 12

A Take Back the Site prayer vigil will be held at the site of the July 18 murder of Michael Taylor. We reclaim the place where violence has occurred. During the 15 minute vigil, we remember and pray for the victim, their families, and neighbors. We pray as well for the perpetrator and for loved ones.
 
For more information contact Anne McCarthy, OSB, BFP Coordinator. 
 
Date: Thursday, September 12
Time: 5:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: 2202 West 8th Street, Erie
Erie CROP Hunger Walk
September 15

The CROP Walk raises money for people around the world who are struggling with hunger, "one step at a time." In Erie, a percentage of the profits are always shared with Emmaus Ministries and other nonprofits that address starvation and malnourishment. Last year, Emmaus received $900 from the 2018 CROP Walk.

For more information, email Rita Scrimenti or Barb Roseborough.

Date: Sunday, September 15
Time: Registration 12:30 p.m., walk 2:00 p.m.
Location: Presque Isle State Park - Beach 1
Cost: Donations are accepted
Adapted Sports Program
September 19

The Fall session of the Adapted Sports Program for people with physical challenges will begin on Thursday, September 19, at St. Benedict Community Center. 

Call Sister Dianne Sabol, OSB at 459-2406 for more information.
 
Date: Thursdays, September 19 - October 10
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: St. Benedict Community Center, 320 East 10th Street, Erie



Climate Strike Erie
September 20

On September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in NYC, young people and adults will strike all across the US and world to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis. Join us for Climate Strike Erie! on Friday, September 20 between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm in Perry Square. A growing list of cosponsors includes: Benedictines for Peace Erie, Climate Reality Project Erie, Erie County Young Dems, Environment Erie, French Creek Indivisible, Keystone Progress Erie, Our Air Our Water Our Rights, Presque Isle Audubon, Sierra Club Lake Erie Group. Click here for up-to-date information, or  visit the Climate Strike Facebook event page. 
 
Date: Friday, September 20
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Perry Square, 601 State Street, Erie
Cost: Free, all are welcome
Silent Peace Walk
September 23
 
For the September Silent Peace Walk, we will gather at the East Avenue Boat Launch and walk past the Erie Coke Plant. Silent Peace Walks are in response to the escalating tensions and divisiveness present in our country and our world. All are welcome to join these simple, public nonviolent actions for peace.
 
For more information email Anne McCarthy, OSB, BFP Coordinator. 
 
Date: Monday, September 23
Time: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: East Avenue Boat Launch, foot of East Avenue
Stillpoint Retreat
September 28

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 future Stillpoint days: October 19, November 16, December 7.

Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery
Cost: $15, registration required
Emmaus Grove: Harvest Fest
September 29

Emmaus' Harvest Fest celebrates another successful season of produce at Emmaus Grove: The Erie Urban Farm School. Join us for live music, food, and tours of the garden.
 
For more information, email Sister Mary Miller, OSB.
 
Date: Sunday, September 29
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Emmaus Grove: The Erie Urban Farm School, 214 East 11th Street, Erie
Cost: All are welcome
Two Days with Edwina Gateley
October 18-19

Edwina Gateley, "Prophet of Peace" recipient by Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 2019, will be guest speaker at two events in Oil City: "A Call to Personal and Global Transformation," where Edwina will share her story, her ministry with women on the streets of Chicago and how ministry can effect personal and global transformation. In "Rediscovering and Claiming the Feminine Soul," Edwina will address claiming our feminine soul through women in Scripture. Come and be inspired by Edwina, poet, mystic, prophet, advocate and single mother who helps her audiences realize that small steps can make a huge difference.
 
A Call to Personal and Global Transformation
Date: Friday, October 18
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Clarion University, Venango Campus, Oil City
Cost: $15
 
Rediscovering and Claiming the Feminine Soul
Date: Saturday, October 19
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: 1st Presbyterian Church, Oil City
Cost: $15
 
Catholic Rural Ministry is sponsoring these events. Email or call 814 676 6591 Ext. 1269 for more information. Click here for a brochure with registration form. 
Ongoing
New Spiritual Director Joins Existing Directors

Sister Stephanie Schmidt joins Sisters Rose Ann Kolbas, Rosanne Loneck, and Marian Wehler in offering spiritual direction. 

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.