BENEDICTINE TOUCHSTONE
Fall 2010Benedictine Nuns • St. Emma Monastery • 1001 Harvey Avenue • Greensburg, PA 15601
Website www.stemma.org • Phone: (724) 834-3060 • Fax (724) 834-5772 • Email [email protected]
Benedictine Nuns2
Prioress’ Reflection By Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB
Benedictine Nuns Daily Prayer Schedule
5:30 a.m ~ Vigils ~ Lectio Divina I6:30 a.m. ~ Lauds
7:00 a.m. ~ EucharistTerce
11:45 a.m. ~ Sext/None5:00 p.m. ~ Vespers
7:30 p.m. ~ Compline ~ Lectio Divina IIYou are welcome to pray with us.
O f t h en u m e r o u spaintingsofSt.Walburga thatadornthemany,long halls andofthe1200vo-tive paintingsthat l ine the
wallsofthe75foothighCryptofSt.Wal-burga,intheAbteiSt.Walburg,Eichstaett,Bavaria,thisismyfavorite!
beenhealedofaveryseriousillness.TheypresentthismonasterytoSt.Walburgainherhonor. Forme,thispaintingexpressesthemysteryofGod’slifeinSt.Walburgaandineachoneofus.Thelife ofGodfinds aunique expression,ashape,anoutlook,andapersonalityineachofusthatmedi-atesGod’scareandcomforttoparticularpeopleinparticularways. St.Walburga’s cooperationwithGod’sgraceinherlife1300yearsagostillaffectsustoday.Her“presence”intheAb-teiSt.Walburgthroughherrelicsandherprayer,sinceitsfoundingin1035,inspiresthenunsanddrawsaconstant streamofpilgrimswhooftenseekspecial requestsfromGodorthankGodforfavorsreceived. *** OnMay25thIwasblessedtopar-ticipateintheMassandfestivitieshonor-ingMotherFranziskaKloosOSBonthe25thanniversaryofherelectionasthe63rdAbbessofAbteiSt.Walburg. ImetherduringmyfirstvisittoEichstaett in1979. Iwellrememberherelection in1985andherfirstvisit toSt.Emma’sin1986.Includingherlastvisithere inApril to celebrate our becominganIndependentPriory,MotherFranziskavisitedus21times.Wewereblessedeachtime! Iwas delighted to participate inMotherFranziska’s anniversary celebra-tion,bothinmyownnameandinthename
ofSt.EmmaMonastery.MotherFranziskareallydeservesourgratitudeandpraise. BeforetheMassofthanksgiving,thecommunitylinedupfortheprocessionwithAbbessesandotherreligiouswomen.
About a dozenAb-bots, other priests,and the present andpastbishopsofEich-staettfollowedastheconcelebrants. We climbed the
long flight of stairs, passed through asmall,narrowdoorbrokenthroughawall30-inches thick, and stepped across thethreshhold from themonastery into thebackoftheparishchurchofSt.Walburga.AbovethatareaistheSisters’choir(wheretraditionallythechoirloftwouldhavebeeninourparishchurches)andbelowthatareawasthepreviousburialcryptforthenuns. Thehugepaintingabovethemainaltar showsSt.Walburgabeing receivedintoheavenbytheLambofGodanddomi-natesthechurch.BehindthismainaltarisCryptofSt.Walburgawhereherrelicsare. ThebishopofEichstaett,MostRev.Dr.GregorMariaHankeyOSBnotedthat“OSB”means“oh,shebuilds!”Hesaidthisistruenotonlyinthephysicalrenova-tionsandimprovementstothesecenturiesold buildings but inMother Franziska’sendeavorstobuilduptheSistersandtheirspirituallivesaswell.St.Walburgamustbeproudtoseehertraditioncontinued. Fortherecessionalhymn,wesangGrosser Gott, wir loben dich (Holy God, We
That hymn expressed my per-sonal past, the past 975 years of that monastery and the 79 years of our monastic life in America.
WeseetheTrinity(Fatherrepre-sentedbythe“EyeofGod”,thetriangle),theSonbytheLambandtheHolySpirit(dovenotshown)pouringtheirlifesymbol-izedbytheraysintoSt.Walburga’sheart.Thisgraceflowsoutofherheartasdropletsintotherelics(shownbythedeceasedSt.Walburgasurroundedbyangels)fromherrelicintoavessel thatcollects the“Wal-burgaoil.”ThroughtheuseofthisoilasasignoftheirfaithandtrustinourmercifulFather,manypeoplefindconsolationandsomehavereceivedhealing.Whatasym-bolicwaytorepresenttheactualcryptofSt.Walburga! Her brothers, St.Willibald thebishop (left) andSt.Wunibald theabbot(right)alongwithherparents,St.RichardandWuna,surroundher. Supporting themonasteryon theleft,BishopHeriberthadsuggestedfound-ingtheAbbeytoCountLeodegar.CountLeodegartotherightofthebuildinghad
Continued on page 3
Benedictine Nuns 3
Prioress’ Reflection By Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB
Prioress’ Reflection
The TouchstoneispublishedbytheBenedic-tineSistersofWestmorelandCountyforourfriendsandbenefactors:
PublisherandEditorMother Mary Anne Noll OSB
DevelopmentDirectorRobert J. Allen
GraphicArtsandDesignSusan Garrison
Ifyouhavequestionsorcommentsaboutthispublication,pleaseaddressthemto:St.EmmaMonastery•1001HarveyAvenue
Greensburg,PA15601-1494Phone(724)834-3060
Email:[email protected]
Praise Thy Name)withtheCathedralchoirandthepipeorganleadingus in jubilantsong. My heart swelled andmy eyesmisted.Itwassohumblingformetobepartofthatprocessionandmonastictradi-tion. Thathymnexpressedmypersonalpast,thepast975yearsofthatmonasteryand the 79years of ourmonastic life inAmerica. When I was growing up,Holy God, We Praise Thy Name wastheCatholic
hymn that ended processions,Benedic-tions,andspecialMasses;thishymnoftenendssuchcelebrationsinthemonasteryaswell. Growingup,IhadnoideathatthishymnwasatranslationfromtheGermannordidIhaveanyideathatitwasbasedonthatsolemnhymnofpraiseenumerat-ingthewonderfulworksofGodinpeopleandcreation,theTe Deum,thatwesingonSundaysandmajorfeastdaysattheendofVigils. What an experience of a livingtradition!Iamsoblessedtobeapartofsomethingthatissomuchgreater,richer,andbeyondme–ourBenedictine,monas-tictradition! May the life ofGod continue toshape our lives, form us and use us tobringHislovingcareandhealingintoourcontemporaryworld– in the traditionofSt.Walburga.
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In his love, the Lord shows us the way to life… –RuleofBenedict
We invite single women (ages 16-40) to experience our monastic life in order to discern if this “way of life” is the path God is calling them to follow.
X Daily Eucharist XThe Liturgy of the Hours chanted six times daily
X Silence X Lectio Divina (sacred reading) XLove made manifest in work
X Living in Community X Hospitality
Upcoming Monastic Live-In Experiences:Advent Weekend, December 10-12, 2010
Monastic Triduum, April 20-24, 2011Summer Experience, July 8-13, 2011
To schedule a visit, please call (724) 834-3060 or e-mail [email protected] to register for one of these dates
or to arrange a time that fits your schedule.
Watch our website for our new vocation blog.
OnMay13theJuniorLegionofMary ofAquinasAcademy,GreensburggatheredwithfamilyandfriendsfortheirfirstMayCrowning.Theirchaplain,Rev.JosephSredzinski, ledtherosaryandin-vestedthemwiththebrownscapular.
May Crowning
Cover photo: Blessed Mother statue in Marian niche, Cor Jesu Chapel.
All Souls Prayer Requests: DuringthemonthofNovember,weBenedictineNunsmentionindividual-lythenamesyouhavesentusofyourdeceasedones.ThesenamesarethenplacedbytheSacredHeartStatuethatwepasseverytimeweenterandleaveourchapel.
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The Legacy of Volunteering Idon’tknowifLeodegarhelpedmanuallyprepare thedwell-ingsforthefirstBenedictineNunstoarriveinEichstaettin1035,buthevoluntarilyofferedhismoneyandmeansforthehonorandgloryofGod.Inthanksgivingforbeinghealedfromamajorillness(centuriesbeforethehelpsofmodernmedicine),LeodegarvoluntarilydonatedhisearthlytreasuretofurtherthekingdomofGodbyestablishingaspiritualcenter,themonastery.Healsopracticed“plannedgiving”bydonatingtheincomeofvillagesthatwouldsustaintheAbbeyofSt.Walburgalongafterhisdeath. Similarlyourvolunteersgiveoftheirtime,talentandtreasure:thegreastesttreasurebeingthegiftofthemselvessogenerouslygiventofurtherGod’skingdominthislittlecornerofHisearthknownasSt.EmmaMonastery. Thepoem“HowdoIloveThee,letmecounttheways”canbeadaptedto“HowdoIloveGodandSt.Emma’s?”Letustrytocountthewayswiththehelpofthesephotos: Insidethebuildings,outsidethebuildings,originalhouse,retreathouse, twomonasterybuildings,monasticguesthouse, sevenfurnacerooms,twochapels,diningrooms,twokitchens,laundry,giftandbook-shop,office,website,photography,cleaning,cooking,enteringdata,grasscutting,weeding,trimming,driving,shopping,sorting“stuff”,preparingforFleaMarketandChristmasBoutique,workingthem,cleaningupafterthem,prayingwithus,baking,cuttingprayingforus,cleaningwindows,scrubbingandwaxingthefloors,movingfurniture,planting,scrubbingandwaxing,housecleaning,watering. Youcanseetheresultsoftheirlovingheartshowthey–likewe–seektouse“thetoolsofthemonasteryasthesacredvesselsofthealtar”asBenedictinstructsustodo.WethankthemandaskGod’sblessingsonthem. – Mother Mary Anne
5Benedictine Nuns
How do I love God and St. Emma Monastery?
See the results of their loving hearts.
COMINGSOONTOYOURLOCAL...COMPUTERORSMARTPHONEORI-POD
Anewlook,greatlyimproved,recentlyupdated,muchmoreinteractive,andinformative,inspiringWebsiteiscomingSOONtoyourlocalcomputerorphoneorIpod!Begincheck-ingmid-Octoberourwww.stemma.org addressforthenewformat,morefeatures,moreinformationaboutourcommunity,asharinginourspiritualitythroughthedailymeditations,signupforretreat,donateandSHOPatourbookstoreonline.
Benedictine Nuns6
Thank you, Father Joseph!
Prayer Requests & IntentionsPlease use the enclosed envelope
to send us your prayer requests and intentions.
Again thisyearwonderfulparticipantsfromtheCatholicHeartWorkCampdidaoutstandingjobofhousecleaningtheretreat
house (including win-dows), kitchen, diningroom, and conferencerooms.Theyalsoweededandhelpedwiththeclean-upafterthefleamarket. WeaskGod’sblessings
onthemandonthosewhoorganizedtheCatholicHeartWorkCampforourarea. SetonHillUniversityincludedusintheirDayofCaring,leavingbehindsparklingareas. Right:Fortyfreshmenfrom St. Vincent’s Collegewere an afternoon whirlwindthatleftSt.EmmaMonasterys h i n i n gandweed-free.
YouthGroupsVolunteerwww.stemma.org
Ourchaplainforthelastthreeyears,Rev.CanonJosephR.SredzinskihasmovedallofeightmilestoJeannette,PA,tohisnewassignment.Assistingthepastorandhisclassmate,Rev.JohnForiska,Fr.JosephwillserveasParishPriestforAscensionandSacredHeartParishes. WewanttothankFr.Josephforhisfaithfulservicebycel-ebratingourdailyMass,helpingoutwithconfessionswithretreat
groups,andavailablewhensomeonecalledand“wantedtoseeapriest.”Fr.JosephalsocontinueshisministrytotheelderlyatWestmorelandManor,Greensburg,PA,andhisinvolvementwiththePolishFal-consastheirnationalchaplainfornearly30years.Thispastspringhecelebratedthe 40th anniversary of his priesthood.Congratulations! MayGod continue tograntyoumanymoreyearsofyourpriestlyministry. August18markedanhistoricaleventasweendedthefaithfulserviceofchaplains
generouslyprovidedbytheDioceseofGreensburgsince1961:Rev.ThomasMcDonald,MostRev.NorbertGaughan,Rev.JamesBump,Rev.Msrg.LawrencePersico,Rev.Msgr.RobertShudaandRev.CanonJosephSredzinski.
BenedictinepriestswillnowserveasourchaplainandRev.ChadFicorilliOSB,St.VincentArchabbey,Latrobe,PA,beganhisserviceAugust19.Welcome,FatherChad!
A“Brite”Idea Fluorescentbulbscostlesstouse.Wewanttoreplacethemthroughouttheretreathouseandmonasteryinourlampsandlightsfixturesbutweneedseveralhundred!Ifyoucouldpickupsomeforus,wewouldbemostappreciative!• 13wattflourescent=60watts (in aregularbulb)
•23wattflourescent=100watts(inaregularbulb)
OtherNeeds Doyouhaveanextra–thatyouarenotusing?Thanksforthinkingofus! •Smallpizzaoven •Digitalphotoframe •PortableDVDplayer
7Benedictine Nuns
Visit our Bookstore
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 p.m.Visit online anytime: www.stemma.org
On July 7 theWe s tm o r e l a n dChamber ofCom-merce welcomedSt. EmmaMonas-tery and RetreatHouse as a newChamber mem-ber. Participatingin the ribbon cut-tingceremonyandpresentationof the
membership plaquewereTomSochacki, president, and otherChambermembers.ChambermembersthentouredSt.Emma’sandenjoyedBenedictinehospitalityinwelcomeandrefreshments. WelookforwardtowelcomingthebroaderWestmorelandciviccommunitytoSt.Emma’sastheirvenueformeetings,mealsandevents.
Walburga: a Woman of Faith and Interior Freedom
Nuns Join Chamber of Commerce
By Robert J. Allen Duringthis1300thbirthdayanniversaryofSt.Walburga,mywife,DorothyandIvisitedtheCryptofSt.WalburgaandthenunsatEichstaett;asyouknowSt.EmmaMonasterywasfoundedbytheAbteiSt.Walburg.Therewereseveralotherreasonstomakethispilgrimage,butnonemorecompellingthanthepersonalexperiencewehadonlyoneyearearlier. Ourdaughter,Cathy,neededanoperationonherthroat;theriskofherlosinghervoicewasonlyoneoftheveryserious,possiblenegativeeffects.MotherMaryAnnesentusthesmallbottleofWalburgaoil.Ourfivechildren,Dorothy,andIcametogethertobothbewithCathyandtoblessherwiththisoil. Withtheoilinhandandthewonderfulgiftoffaithinourhearts,weblessedherandtrustedinGodthatthewonderfulintercessionofSt.Walburgawouldguidethesurgeon’shand.Threehourslaterwewereinformedthatafullrecoverywasexpected! Nearly 1300 years ago this remarkablewoman, St.Walburga,workedsidebysidewithherbrothers,St.WillibaldthefirstbishopofEichstaettin741andSt.WunibaldtheabbotinHeidenheim,inthegreatworkofevangelizationinGermany.Anglo-Saxonby birth, St.Walburgawas talented, andwelleducated.
WhenherbrotherSt.Wunibalddied,shewasappointedabbessoverbothmonksandnuns.Duringherlifetime,shewasalreadycreditedwithhealingseveralsickpeople.SomeofherrelicsareintheCryptofSt.WalburgaatEichstaett,Germany;herfeastdayisFebruary25. Thewallsoftheverybeautifulstar-shapedShrineofSt.WalburgaatSt.EmmaMonasteryconsistoffull-sizestainedglasswindowsdepictingthelifeofSt.Walburga(seeWinterissueofThe Benedictine Touchstone). AsPaulHarveywouldsay,“Andnowfortherestofthestory.”Ourdaughter,Cathy?TodayCathyhascompleteuseofhervoice,isbackworkingandleadingafulllife. WhySt.Walburga,didwehavethiswonderfulexperi-enceofpersonallyvisitingandprayingatyourCrypt?Ithinkit is becausewe have experienced your far reachingwork,St.Walburga,throughthecharismandworkofthenunsofSt.Emma.BecauseofthemyoutooareinvitedtoseekSt.Wal-burga’spowerfulintercessionthroughyourprayersandtheirs. Thecommunionofsaintsisreal:weareunitedwiththosewhoareinheavenandjoinedwithotherChristianshereonearth.TheBenedictineNunsembraceyouandallyourneedsintheirprayerandworksasWalburgaandhernunsdidwhilelivingonearth—andasSt.Walburgacontinuestodofromherplaceinheaven.
Thank You, Thank You! Ourthankstoallthosewhohelpedorganize,sort,dis-play,cook,serve,assistshop-pers, donated or purchaseditemsorhelpedinanywaytomakeourAnnualFleaMarketso successful.Truly this is awonderfuleventeachyearforusSisters,ourvolunteersandforthosewhocome.Godblessallofyouabundantlywhomadethiseventpossible!
+ Rest in Peace + AnnaMarieGolek,Wilmerding,PAdiedinAprilafteralengthybattlewithcancer.Weextendoursympathytohercousin andher friends.We ae so honored thatAnnaMarierememberedusinherwill.Eternalrestgrantuntoher,OLord!
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October 22-24 LegionofMary,$145November 5-7 MarriedCouples,Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy, OFMCap, $280December 2 AdventEveningofRecollectionforWomen 3:45-9p.m.,Rev. Emil Payer,$20December 4 AdventDayofRecollection,LayandReli- gious,9a.m.–4p.m.,Rev. Ed Litavec,$282011March 11-13 SilentLentenRetreatforMenandWomenRev. Boniface Hicks OSBMarch 18-20 Men’sRetreatattheRetreatHouse,Rev. Ed Litavec, Theme:Lent, A Time to Shape and RenewApril 1-3 SilentLentenRetreatforMenandWomen Rev. Bill Kiel, Theme:Prayer and Fasting – Not Only During LentApril 8-10 SilentLentenRetreatforMenandWomen Rev. Frank Erdeljac, Theme:The Compassionate Love of God According to the Little FlowerApril29-May1SilentRetreatforThirdOrderCarmelites (men/women),Rev. James Hess Coram, Theme:“AscentofMt.Carmel”July 22-28 6-DaySilentRetreatforMenandWomen To be announcedJuly 22-29 EncounterwithSilenceRetreat(accommo- dationsatMonasticGuestHouseand RetreatHouse) Rev. John-Mary Tompkins OSBAugust 12-13 BusyMomsOvernightRetreat Rev. Boniface Hicks OSB
Please remember us when revising or making your will.
Our legal name is:The Sisters of Saint Benedict of Westmoreland County
Our Federal ID-# is: 25-1017575
Calendar of Retreats
Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Emma
As the late Pope JohnPaulIIlookeduponanimageofOurLadyofGuadalupeinJanu-ary1999,hesaid,“Iaskhertovisitasapilgrimoffaitheachandeverydiocese,parishandfamilyinAmerica.” OnOctober 20,thisimagewillbeintheMariandevotionalnicheoftheCorJesuMonasticChapelforvenerationforall thosewhowouldliketocome and spend some time inprayerwithourLady.AspecialHoly Hour concluding withComplinewillbeginat6:45p.m.
Donations appreciated!
Pro Life Prayer VigilWednesday, January 19, 2:30 – 8:00 p.m.
TheBenedicineNunsinviteyoutojointhemfortheirannualProLifePrayerVigil.Lightrefreshmentsavail-able. Youareourguest–thereisNOFee.
Ye Olde
Christmas ShoppeFriday, Nov. 12 11 a.m.-7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 13 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wonderful gifts (new and gentlyloved) for each person on yourgift list
Great low prices!
And yes, we will wish you aMerry Christmas!
Food (flavored by Benedictine hospitality)Fri.: fish sandwiches, pierogies, cole slaw, soft pretzels, cookiesSat.: pizza, Italian sausage sandwiches, kielbassi, soft pretzels, pep-peroni rolls, cookies
Eat in or take out
Photos with St. Nicholas(not Santa Claus)
Saturday, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Each child receives a treat from St. Nicholas!
Ye Olde
Christmas ShoppeFriday, Nov. 12 11 a.m.-7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 13 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wonderful gifts (new and gentlyloved) for each person on yourgift list
Great low prices!
And yes, we will wish you aMerry Christmas!
Food (flavored by Benedictine hospitality)Fri.: fish sandwiches, pierogies, cole slaw, soft pretzels, cookiesSat.: pizza, Italian sausage sandwiches, kielbassi, soft pretzels, pep-peroni rolls, cookies
Eat in or take out
Photos with St. Nicholas(not Santa Claus)
Saturday, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Each child receives a treat from St. Nicholas!
Priests Silent Guided Retreat, January 23-28, 2011Theme: The Lord Has Drawn Us to His Heart
Very Rev. Joseph M. Mele FatherMelewillproposepassagesofsacredscripturethatguideretreatantstogroweverclosertoJesus,whocountsonus,hisministers,tospreadandbuildupHisKingdom,andtoradiateHisloveandHistruth.ThisretreatwilllisteninthewinterquietforGod’sheartcallingtoours,invitingustocomeoutofourselves,totrustinHim,andbyencounteringHislove“heart to heart,” to renewusmakingour lives a gift of un-boundedpriestlylove.
