Monthly Update
April 2016
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Justice for Immigrants
Prayer Vigil
April 1
 
Join us for a 30 minute vigil to pray that a just law will be passed for the 11.5 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.
 
For more information, email Marlene Bertke, OSB or visit Benedictines for Peace.
 
Date: Friday, April 1
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Federal Building, 6th and State Streets, Erie


E-course: Journey into Mercy 
with Joan Chittister 

April 3-30

How do you develop a merciful heart? "You become a merciful person by practicing acts of mercy," explains Joan Chittister. In her new e-course, "Journey into Mercy," Joan provides a daily inspiration that encourages you to stretch for new ways of acting mercifully. Register now at Spirituality and Practice. Click here.

Date: Sunday, April 3 - Saturday, April 30
Cost: $49.95


Stillpoint Contemplative Retreat Day
April 9
  
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 Glinodo's lakefront grounds.

Mark the next Stillpoint date on your calendar now: 
May 21
 
Email Sister Margaret Zeller for a registration form. 
 
Date: Saturday, April 9
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Glinodo Conference Center, 
6270 East Lake Road, Erie
Cost: $15, registration required
 
 

Monthly Book Discussion
April 28
  
The last Thursday of each month you can join a monthly book discussion at The Writer's Studio. Participants are asked to bring a book they are currently reading or have read, share an excerpt and tell why they chose the book. If you'd like to join the group, contact Janice Etchison .

Date: Thursday, April 28
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: The Writer's Studio at Saint Mary's: Space to Create, 310 East Tenth Street, Erie, enter at rear
Cost: Small donation to cover snack and beverage costs

Mid-Life/Long-Life Directions Program
April 29 - May 1
  
Sign up now for a  weekend experience and refocus in the midst of life's changes with a Mid-Life Directions Experience of Personal and Spiritual Growth for Adults.

A Mid-Life Directions Experience:
  • 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 a downloadable registration form. 

Contact Sister Rosanne Loneck, certified Mid-Life Directions consultant, for more information: 814- 899-0614
 or email

Mark your calendar now for the fall program: September 9-11

Dates: April 29 - May 1
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery
Recommended donation $250 resident; $175 commuter
Confirmation Retreat for All of Us at Pentecost
Eldred, PA
May 15
  
Sister Anne McCarthy explains, "This is not a reliving of our own experience of the sacrament of Confirmation, but an entering into a prayer reflection with the sacrament in this moment of our lives."
For more information or to register, contact Sister Phyllis Schleicher, Catholic Rural Ministry of Potter and McKean Counties, 814-544-8017, or email

Date: Sunday, May 15
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: St. Raphael Parish Coleman Center, 16 First Street, Eldred, PA
Cost: Donations are welcome
SBA Annual Spring Luncheon
May 21
  
ice_cream.jpg This is the Annual Spring Luncheon, a perfect addition to those SBA classes celebrating reunions or for classes simply wishing to get together.
 
For more information contact Ann Comstock, 814-899-0614 ext. 2573 or email.
 
Date: Saturday, May 21
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Ambassador Conference Center, Erie
Cost: $25
9th Annual Art & Sole Run/Walk 
Register Now
June 11
  
The 9th Annual Art & Sole 5k Run/Walk benefits the children who attend free programs at the Neighborhood Art House. Click here for more information or to register. 
For more information contact Sister Annette Marshall, 814-455-5508 or email.
 
Date: Saturday, June 11
Time: Registration 7:45-8:45 a.m. 
Race starts at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Neighborhood Art House, 
201 East 10th Street, Erie
Cost: $20 adult, $10 child
Spiritual Direction always available
  

Spiritual Direction, sometimes referred to as spiritual guidance or spiritual friendship, is an on-going relationship in which one person (the directee), desirous of being attentive to his or her spiritual life, meets with another person (the director) on a regular basis (approximately once a month), 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. Contact Rosanne Loneck, OSB, certified Spiritual Director, 814-899-0614 or click here to email.

Suggested offering is $30/session.
 

 

Guest Accommodations always 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
 
Springtime is beautiful at the monastery. Come for a week, a weekend, or a single overnight. Click here for a guest registration form. 

 

SAVE THE DATE
Enrichment Series Concert: Kirill & Julia
July 3
  
Performed by the husband and wife Duo Polaris, Kirill Kalmykov and Julia Haager, and inspired by their passion for travel, this program features chamber music masterpieces by the great European composers Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann and Manuel de Falla. It includes selections of Schubert's most beloved songs as well as a vocal suite by de Falla transcribed for cello and piano. Come and experience the resemblance of the cello's deep tone to the human voice and its close connection to the piano.
 
For more information contact Sister Stephanie Schmidt, 814-899-0614 ext. 2511 or email.
 
Date: Sunday, July 3
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mount St. Benedict Monastery Chapel
Cost: Free and open to the public