“…regard all utensils and goods… as sacred vessels of the altar

28 Pages·2008·1.18 MB·English

BenedictineSistersofPittsburgh
Benedictines
MonasticWomenwithDiscerningHearts
“…regard all utensils and goods…
as sacred vessels of the altar,
aware that nothing is to be neglected.”
RB31.10
Winter2007
St.BenedictMonastery
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania
Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
From the Prioress
By:SisterMichelleFarabaugh,OSB
Igrewupinalargefamilyintheyearsimmediately
afterthedepression.So,forme,theimportanceofsaving
wherepossibleandusingonlywhatyouneedwere
practicesthatbecamealmostsecondnature,andaroseoutofeconomic
necessity.Butoursocietyhaschangeddramaticallyinthelast50to60years.
Nowwaste,consumerspending,providingforeverycomfortpossible,and
takingadvantageofeverythingIcanget–aremuchmorethenormformany
peopletoday. We are the
ForthisreasonSt.Benedict’steachingonstewardshipisajewelthat Benedictine Sisters
shinesforthandcatchestheattentionofallwhoknowhisRule.Hesays
of Pittsburgh,
thateverythingwehandleshouldbetreated“assacredvesselsofthealtar,
continuing 1500 years
awarethatnothingistobeneglected,”(RB31:10)andhegoesontosaythat
monasticsshouldnotbe“greedy,wastefulorextravagantwiththegoods of seeking God in
ofthemonastery”. Community,
ThisadmonitionofBenedictformsabedrockforthosewhostrivetofollow
Prayer
hiswaytoday.Stewardshipisoneofthepillarsofourcommitmentasmonastics.
and Ministry.
Thiscorevalueisre-enforcedinadocumentrecentlywrittenbytheleadersof
Benedictinecommunitiesofwomentitled:WisdomFromtheTradition.Itpoints
outthatasfollowersofBenedictwemustcommitourselvesto“conserving
BENEDICTINESisapublicationofthe
resourcesforthegooduseoftheglobalcommunitybecausewevaluethe
BenedictineSistersofPittsburgh,PA
naturalworldandwelcomeitsblessings.Weknowwithshameandregretthat
forfamilies,friendsandbenefactors
theUSconsumesdisproportionatesharesoffood,utilitiesandothernatural oftheCommunity.
resources.”Onestudyrecentlyshowedthat6%oftheworld’speopleown59%
Editor:SisterJudithAnnCriner,OSB
ofthewealth,andonly25%oftheworld’spopulationhasbasicnecessities
suchasabed,food,andhomewithaclosetinwhichtoputbelongings. EditorialBoard:
Webelievestronglythatwemust“becomepropheticadvocatesofamore SistersSusanneChenot,
DoloresConley,
equitabledistributionoftheearth’sblessingsfortheworldcommunity.”
EvelynDettling,
ForthisreasonwearedevotingthisissueofBenedictinestothetopicof
SusanMerrieEnglish,
Stewardship–tosharewithyousomeofthewaysthatthePittsburgh MichelleFarabaugh,
Benedictinestakethismandateofconservingandsharingseriously.What ShellyFarabaugh,
BarbaraHelder,
eachoneofusdoes–whetherasanindividualperson,orasmallcommunity,
KathleenMack,
seemsalmostinfinitesimalinlightoftheenormousneed,butachievingthis,
MichaelMack,
aswellasanygoal,canonlybeattainedbytakingonestepatatime.What
ElizabethMatz,
werealizeisthatwemustintentionallytakestepstopreserveandconserve BridgetReilly,
forthesakeoftherestofhumankind.Wedothisnotjustbecausewewere MaryCatherineStana,
MaryDamianThaner,
taughtaschildrenthatitisagoodthingtodo,butbecausewebelievethat
BarbaraJayneVopat
howpeopleintheworldoftomorrowwillliveDOESdependonhowwelive
today.“Monasticstewardshipdemandsthatweusewhatweareandwhatwe
St.BenedictMonastery
haveforthetransformationofculturebecausecreationistheLord’sandwe 4530PerrysvilleAvenue
areitskeepers;weholditintrust.”(OfAllGoodGifts) Pittsburgh,PA15229-2296
Phone:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
Website:www.osbpgh.org
SisterMichelleFarabaugh,OSB Email:[email protected]
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MonasticWomen with Discerning Hearts
Mark Your Calendar For:
KOINONIAANDKAFFEE
(CONVERSATION,COMMUNITYANDCOFFEE)
January14,2007 1:00PM–2:30PM
Table of Contents
February11,2007 1:00PM–2:30PM
March11,2007 1:00PM–2:30PM
SPIRITUALSPA
Stewardship:ImplicationsfortheFuture 4
March24,2007 . . . . . . . . . .
BENEDICTINECENTERSUPERBINGO
April21,2007 BenedictineValues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
AStewardshipofLifeandPeace
COMMUNITYRETREAT
June17–23,2007
HUMANTRAFFICKING 8
FALLFESTIVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whatisit?Whoisinvolved?Whyisitevil?
September15,2007
JUBILEEOFMONASTICPROFESSION
ForSistersClaudiaKunzler,HelenSeidel, Useme,Lord,UntilThyWillIsMine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
IreneMoellerandRaphaelFrank
October27,2007
SoutheasternKentcuky 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BENEDICTINECENTERSUPERBINGO
“ThisLandisHometoMe”
November17,2007
SPIRITUALSPA
MountandMission 12
December1,2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AJourneytoAfrica 14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Monastic Humor
ArchivalEchoes 16
By:SisterDoloresConley,OSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BenedictineSistersofPittsburgh 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
St.TeresaofAvilaSchool
Celebrates100thAnniversary
DonorHonorRoll 18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wish List
ATrainforundertheMonasteryChristmastree
Foranumberofyears,theSistershavehostedaChristmas
gatheringforfamilyandfriendsinourCommunityroom.
Underthetreewasatrainthatwasenjoyedby“kidsofall
ages”.ThispastChristmas,thetrainwentto“toyheaven”.
Ifanyonehasatraininworkingorderthattheyareno
longerusing,wewouldlovetogiveitagoodhomeatthe
MonasteryfornextChristmas.Itwillbeenjoyedbyall.
PleaseremembertheBenedictineSistersofPittsburghinyourwillandestateplanning.
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Stewardship:
Implications for the Future
By:SistersBarbaraHelderandShellyFarabaugh,OSB
Everyday we are faced with hundreds of
I have a confession to make: I like my coffee in a simple choices, and everyday, as society
Styrofoamcup–becausetheStyrofoamkeepsthecoffee
"progresses," the implications of those
hot longer. Pure and simple that's my honest belief ...
choices grow more complex.
but it's not good stewardship. Good stewardship
considers the connectedness of all things and the ripple
response of even the smallest personal action. Everyone
knowsthatStyrofoamisnotgoodfortheenvironment. those choices become more and more muddled.
I cannot say with honesty that my small personal Discerning wisely between needs and wants becomes
preference does not affect anyone else. a real challenge. How much is enough, and how do
Everyday we are faced with hundreds of simple our choices affect those around us?
choices, and everyday, as society "progresses," the When we were growing up, our parents used
implications of those choices grow more complex. to tell us to eat all the food on our plates because
What parents would not want their children to somewhere, in some other part of the world, children
have more than they had growing up? But how many were starving. Children all over the U.S. had a hard
parents have serious talks with their children teaching time understanding how eating all their peas would
them the difference between wants and needs? As solve world hunger, but the more subtle parental
advertisements on TV, radio, newspapers and pop-up message was there: "Be grateful that you have food to
computer ads bombard us with messages telling us eat because many children don't." Good stewardship
what we "must have," to get along in today's world, acknowledges that all we have is gift, and gifts are to
SistersMaryDamianThanerandValeriaOsterrieder SistersattendaEucharisticCelebrationintheMonasteryChapel.
selectasurpriseduringacommunitycelebration.
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MonasticWomen with Discerning Hearts
be appreciated and cared for and shared. Those who of wise use of time, wise use of words and wise use of
practice good stewardship grow in awareness that material things entrusted to us. One cannot practice
many areas of the world have less than we have. We stewardship without living with care, reverence and
take for granted that food will be readily available to respect. Living with respect for others and using things
us anytime we want it, but in many countries the wisely leads to harmony and peace. Is it possible
food supply is limited. How does our overabundance that, beginning with stewardship, we can put into
and wastefulness impact countries which have little? action a new spiral that could bring balance back to
Stewardship is about caring for what has been our wounded earth? Stewardship is recognizing that
entrusted to us. Our mothers had the right idea in all created things have a place and are connected.
teaching us to clean up our rooms and put things back Stewardship is being aware that all our actions have
where we found them. They told us these things to a ripple affect that reaches others to enrich or to
teach us responsibility, but beyond that there was the destroy. What would happen if each of us made a
truth of durability. If you take care of things they conscious effort to enrich by finding one action a
will last longer. Before I was born, people who lived week that would renew, recycle, or enhance life?
through the World Wars and the depression era had to Each of us has a responsibility to try, and none of
be thrifty. Out of necessity, they learned how to save, us can do it alone.
how to care for what they had, how to re-use what Religious communities all over the U.S. have begun
they had. After the world became rather prosperous, discussions about how to share resources, how best
some of those values were lost. Accumulation of to care for buildings and land and members so that a
things is more the norm these days. But why do I hopeful future is ensured. Society has to come back
need three staplers in my drawer when I can use only to a realization that people are more important than
one at a time? things, and that together we can make the world a
There seems to be a negative spiral spinning out of better place by making careful choices about how
controlinourthrow-away societytoday: consumerism, we live.
(the need to have "more, bigger, better, faster") gives A plaque in my room reminds me often of our
way to competition, gives way to individualism, gives duty to steward well; it says "Care deeply. Give freely.
way to greed, gives way to violence and destruction Think kindly. Act gently. And be at peace with the
and war ... and we ask "Where is the balance? Where earth. " Imagine the possibilities of changing the
does it end?" The big question for us is "How do we world for the better if we all sent out ripples like
reverse this destructive spiraling trend and create a these. Pass it on.
more positive, healthy, peace-filled, equitable society
concerned with the good of all, one that shares the
wealth and will leave the world with a livable future
for our children?"
It seems so obvious. Good stewardship is a vital
responsibility for us if we are to preserve what we
have beengiven topassontofuturegenerations.Omer
Westendorf wrote words to a song that we sometimes
sing at prayer: "We lease the earth but for a life's
duration... for earth is ours to use and not abuse ..."
What legacy will we leave for those who follow us in
this world that is ours only for a time? Stewardship
is about relationships and sharing. Quite simply, if
I take more than my share, there is less for you. If I
don't take care of my share, what I pass on to those
after me won't be as good.
Benedictnever mentionsstewardshipinhisRule,but
he talks much about care of the sick, the young and
the old, care of guests and care of utensils. He talks
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Benedictine Values
A Stewardship of Life and Peace
By:SisterBarbaraJayneVopat,OSB
(Adaptedfrom“ChangingTimes…AgelessValues…”writtenby 1. ORAetLABORA:ThedailyrhythmofPRAYER&WORK
SisterBarbaraHelderforthe125thanniversaryofthefoundation …mindfulnesstothetaskathand…prideindoing
oftheBenedictineSistersofPittsburgh.) thingswellandgratitudetoGodforthetalentsandthe
graceswhichenableustouseourcreativegiftsforthe
Have you ever found yourself yearning for the
goodofall.
“good old days” when life was more calm and
predictable? One would think that surely long ago in
2. STEWARDSHIP:…livingsimply,caringforthethings
the 5th century this would be the milieu that Benedict
entrustedtousandusingthemwisely…sharingour
was living in as he engaged in seeking God, gathering
resources…awarenessthatallcreationisgiftandthat
followers around him, and writing a rule for their
wearecaretakersofthatgift…appreciationforbeauty.
living together. But life was not so different 1500 years
ago as in our tumultuous times in 2006. The center
3. REVERENCE&COMPASSION:…incaringforthesick,
of culture, Rome, was in ruins and barbarians were
theyoung,theelderly,themarginalized,theunlovable
marauding throughout Europe. How, then, did the
–forallpeople…recognizingthatnotallpeoplehave
legacy of Benedict and his sister, Scholastica, last
thesameneeds…respondingtoneedswithout
through the turmoil of their time and even to the
judgment…recognizingthatallpeoplearegiftsfrom
present day, through additional centuries of violence,
God,lovedbyGod.
war and hostilities? Primarily Benedict valued and
sought after peace centered in gospel living. As he
instructed his followers in his rule for life he recognized 4. COMMUNITY:ahallmarkofmonasticliving!….support,
that only by caring for oneself, caring for one another encouragement,challengetogrow,understanding,
and caring for one’s environment – stewarding all that bondingandfriendship,celebration,familyresponsibility
Godhas given tohumankind–couldpeacebeattained. andsharingfoundincommunallivingtogether.
There is something quite powerful in Benedict’s way.
It’s all about balance and it’s all about values. The 5. MODERATION&BALANCE:…inwhatwedo,inhow
values that Benedict proposes offer a way to steward weact,inhowwespeak,inwhatweeat,injudgments
life itself and all that is good and holy in it and to wemake…
further a life of peace.
6. STABILITY:acounterculturalandmuchneeded
valueintoday’sworld!Thegrowththatcomesfrom…
remainingsteadfastandrootedthroughhardtimes…
resistingimpulsestorunawayfromproblems…relying
onFAITHandtrustinginGodratherthanself.
7. CONTEMPLATION:andtimesofpersonal,internal
SILENCEthatallowonetosiftthroughtheaccumulation
ofactivityandthoughtsandexperiencestofindthe
centerofwisdomwithin…discoveringtheHolyinthe
ordinaryhappeningsofday-to-daylife…livingwith
listeninghearts.
SisterIreneMoeller(standingatcenter)celebratesaCommunion
Servicewithareanursinghomeresidents.
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MonasticWomen with Discerning Hearts
SistersattheMonasterysharingafestivemealwithoneanother.
8. MINISTRY:…respondingtothegraceofprayerand Who could dispute the balanced life and peaceful
community,reachingbeyondoneselftogiveservice community existence that Benedict’s values encourage!
andrespondingtotheneedsofothers. WeinviteyoutojoinourBenedictinequestofstewarding
life and peace in the world through living the values of
Benedict in your life! Some do this intentionally by
9. HOSPITALITY:…recognizingChristineachvisitor…
becomingoblatesorassociatesofBenedictinecommunities
welcomingwithopennessthosewhocometous,those
andwitnessing peaceand stewardshipintheirfamilylives
inneed,thosewhoaresearching…sharingwitheach
and in their jobs. Some manifest extreme courage for
visitorourhome,ourresources,ourBenedictinecharism
our time, taking the leap to live as vowed members of a
ofprayerandpeace.
community who seek God together and attend daily to
a life faithful to the values of Benedict and Scholastica.
10. PEACE:becomingpeopleofharmony…promoting Some are willing to invite others to share in the quest.
goodlivingsoasnottoharmothersbywhatwedoor But the call to be good stewards is there, for each of us
whatwesay…advocatingjustice…livingashealers and for all of us, to find ways to offer an alternative
andnurturerswithgentlenessandcaring. lifestyle in a world so hungry for the Benedictine legacy
of life and peace both now and for posterity.
SisterRobertaCampbell(piano)accompanies SistersprocessintoChapeltocelebrateaJubilee SisterCatherineMurphyservesas
Sr.MaryAgnesGmuerassheplaystheflute. ofMonasticProfession. Eucharisticminister.
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
What is it?
Who is involved?
Why is it evil?
By:SisterSusanneChenot,OSB SisterSusanMerrieEnglish(fourthfromleft)poseswithotherreligious
womenwhoareactivemembersofPATH(PeopleAgainstTraffickingHumans).
HUMAN TRAFFICKING is a form of a local shop-owner who said that he wanted to take
her to Italy to marry her. In three weeks her parents
modern day slavery. Traffickers often
received a horrifying letter in which Mariana told
prey on people who are poor, frequently
her parents the man really intended to sell her as a
unemployed or under-employed, and who prostitute. When she resisted he took out a knife and
forced her to go with him. She, along with other
may lack access to social safety networks.
kidnap victims, was taken by speed boat across the
Adriatic Sea. When girls like Mariana reach Italy, they
Trafficking involves predominantly women and
are sold to a pimp. The girl’s value is then determined
children in certain countries, but can also include
by age, beauty, and experience. A young virgin-like
men. Victims are often lured with false promises of
girl would be worth as much as $10,000. One former
good jobs and better lives, and then forced to work
prostitute said that even though she made about $500
under brutal and inhuman conditions.
a night, her pimp took it all. One night after drugging
Does this horror exist in the USA? Absolutely! The
her and finding money tucked in her underwear, he
US government estimates that approximately 50,000
beat her until she was unconscious.
people are trafficked into the US annually. The US is a
With Mariana trapped in Italy, tragedy was striking
“destination country”. Victims of trafficking originate
her family once again. Her 17 year-old sister was
from such nations as Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia, the
kidnapped and this time a third sister told the police
Philippines, Thailand, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the
who did it. Shortly after that, her father said, the
Czech Republic, and India. Traffickers move victims
third daughter was brutally killed.
into the US through many ports of entry: Los Angeles,
This example can be multiplied millions of times.
New York, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Large cities have police units, social workers, and
Recentlytheyhaveextended theiroperationstoAtlanta,
religious personnel who are on the lookout for women
Cleveland, Houston, Orlando, and Washington DC.
and children who are victims of this heinous system.
Victims are often lured into trafficking networks
Our Sister Susan Merrie English is the secretary of
through false promises of good working conditions
PATH(PennsylvaniaAgencyofTraffickinginHumans).
and high pay as domestic workers, factory and farm
Thisisasub-committeeof theTri-DiocesanLeadership
workers, nannies, waitresses, sales clerks, or models.
Committee (TDSLC), an organization composed of
Once in this country, many suffer extreme physical
the Major Superiors of Women Communities in the
and mental abuse, including rape, sexual exploitation,
Pittsburgh area. They are working to educate the
torture, beatings, starvation, death threats, and threats
community on the dangers of human trafficking and
to family members. It is believed that most victims
its effect on the global economy.
who are trafficked are isolated and remain undetected
by the public because: 1) the strategies used by the The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh have joined
perpetrators isolate victims and prevent them from other religious women in educating its membership
coming forward, and 2) the public and the victim on this topic. The Monastic Community held a
service providers have only recently become aware of special meeting on this topic and plans to keep being
this issue and are unsure how to recognize or respond updated regarding its effect in the Pittsburgh area.
to trafficking victims. Anyone wishing to learn more about Human
One of millions of trafficked individuals is Mariana, Trafficking can get information by searching under
from Albania. She was lured away from her home by HUMAN TRAFFICKING on the internet.
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MonasticWomen with Discerning Hearts
Use me, Lord, Until Thy Will Is Mine
By:JudithAnnCriner,OSB
OnSeptember11,2006,Sister Sheusedherloveofchildrentoassistherinbecomingan
Matilda(Loretta)Schoeneckerdied educatorwholovedtobeintheclassroomwithherstudents.
peacefullyinherMonasteryhomeafter Sr.ClementinetaughtattheelementarylevelintheDioceses
anextendedperiodofdeclineinhealth. ofAltoona-Johnstown,Greensburg,Pittsburghandfora
Loretta,thedaughterofAndrew shorttimeatSt.JosephSchoolinChicago,IL,asanexchange
andMatildaSchoenecker,wasbornin teacherfortheCommunity.SisterwasthePrincipalat
Pittsburgh.Herfamilywouldeventually St.BenedictSchool,Carrolltown,PA;SacredHeartSchool,
includeatotalofninechildren. Jeannette,PA;andSt.GertrudeSchool,Vandergrift,PA.
Shelearnedthelessonsofworkingtogether,helpingto Inherlateryears,Sr.Clementinecouldoftenbefoundin
careforhersiblingsandthattheadage“wastenot,want theMonasterycoffeeroomwhereshewouldeagerlylook
not”couldbeputtopracticaluse. forsomeoneto“sitawhile”soshecouldsharestoriesabout
OnJune21,1934,LorettaenteredtheBenedictine herteachingdays,herfamilyandfriends.Hersmilewas
SistersofPittsburghwhereshewoulddevotethenext contagiousandwouldmakeyoufeelwelcomedwithout
72yearstoserviceforherGodandHisPeople.AsSr.Matilda, anywordsbeingspoken.
sheservedasanoutstandingeducatorinthePittsburgh
andGreensburgdiocesesforalmost50years.Shewasa
teacher,principalandRedCrossmoderator.Shealso SisterAnitaVarinejoinedSr.Clementine
directedfooddrives,spearheadedmusicappreciation injourneyingtotheirheavenlyhomeon
andliturgicalcelebrations. December19,2006.Theeveningpriortoher
OneofSr.Matilda’sspecialinterestswasworking death,Sr.AnitahadreturnedtotheMonastery
withthedisadvantaged.Sisterassistedprisonersintwo afteralengthystayinarehabilitationunit
correctionalinstitutions,“mothers-to-be”atMomsHouse duetoahipfracture.
andnursinghomeresidents.Uponherretirement,Sr.Matilda SisterAnitawasnamedLenaConsiliaby
becamethedirectorofnutritionfortheBenedictine herparentsCarmelaandJohnVarine.Shewas
SeniorCenter.Shekeptherselfinvolvedbyservingasthe borninWestWinfield,PA,onApril24,1912,intoafamilyof
Monasteryseamstress,aliteracytutorandacaregiverfor twosistersandthreebrothers.SisterenteredtheBenedictine
smallchildren. SistersofPittsburghonSeptember8,1930andspent74
TheMonasterywillbealittledimmerwithoutSr.Matilda’s yearsofherlifedevotedtolivingtheRuleofSt.Benedict.
“ear-to-earsmile”thatsheusedtogreetvisitors,especially Sr.Anitaspentheryearsofministryineducation.She
anychildren.Sisterlovedtobeinvolved,tohelpsomeone taughtintheintermediateandupperelementarygrades
elseandtobethebestthatshecouldbe. andinadministrationasprincipal.Sisterservedasprincipal
SisterMatildanotonlyprayedtheGospelmessage– inPittsburgh,Donora,Connellsville,Jeannette,Carrolltown,
shelivediteveryday. PAandCanton,OH.Uponherretirement,SisterAnitaworked
intheMonasteryasaportress,seamstressandcandymaker.
DuringthedaysbeforeChristmasandEaster,Sr.Anita’s
OnMonday,December19,2006,theBenedictineSisters creativeuseofchocolate,nutsandspicescouldbesmelled
losttwoofourSeniorSisterswithinhoursofoneanother. oneveryflooroftheMonastery.
SisterAnitawasalwaysinterestedinsharingrecipes
SisterClementineMatibawas103 andstoriesrelatingtoherItalianupbringingandheritage.
yearsoldatthetimeofherdeathand ShefondlyrecalledhervisittoItalyandtherelativesthat
hadbeenaBenedictineSisterfor83years. livedthere.Sisteralsousedhergiftsforbaking,cooking
Shewastheyoungestofeightchildren andknitting.SheenjoyedmeetingvisitorsattheMonastery.
borntoMaryandAugustMatiba.Named Sr.Anitawillberememberedforherdedicationto
Margaretatbirth,Sisterwouldfondly prayerandministry.Shewasalwaysinterestedinwhatwas
recallthatshewasthe“appleofher happeningandinherlateryearscouldbefoundwalking
father’seye”. thehallsandstoppingintoroomstosayhelloandchat
MargaretenteredtheBenedictineSistersonJanuary13, awhile.Hergentlesmileandtheplayfultwinkleinhereyes
1921andbecameSr.ClementinethefollowingDecember. willbemissedbyall.
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Southeastern Kentcuky
“This Land is Home to Me”
By:SisterEvelynDettling,OSB
In February 1975, the Appalachian bishops issued the land, housing, healthcare and friendship. The
amomentouspastoral letter,ThisLandIsHometoMe. SisterscalledtheirhomeSarah’sCircleand it became a
This letter gave voice to the longings and dreams gathering place for local people and for other church
of the people of Appalachia who wrestled with workers in the area who came to share faith and
powerlessness in the face of large coal and timber prayer, a simple meal and conversation, solidarity in
companies who were stripping away their land and their concerns for justice and compassion.
resources and leaving behind sludge and erosion. The Between 1979 and 2006, nine Benedictine Sisters,
pastoral letter called for a new social order in the spirit including a former Prioress, lived in Neon sharing their
of papal social encyclicals. In response, over a period gifts and talents and, in return, being immeasurably
of a few years, 600 Church workers heard the call enriched through the local people. For each of them it
and moved to Appalachia to learn and to serve with was a very special time of grace and each came to know
the people of the mountains. In 1979, the Benedictine why the people of the mountains called Kentucky,
Sisters of Pittsburgh heeded that call and four sisters “the homeland of the heart.”
moved to Neon, KY to live and respond to the needs Sister Beth Carrender came to Appalachia in 1997
expressed by the people of the area. A ministry of and immediately fell in love with the people and the
presence and mutuality was new to the sisters but land. For the past 10 years she has served in various
they soon learned what it meant to accompany others ministries and has focused on forging alliances with
in their search for education, justice, preservation of local people. Gwen Johnson is one of the women who
Sr.BethCarrenderandGwenJohnsontransfersthedeedtothehouseinNeon,KY,
thehomeoftheBenedictineSistersofPittsburghsince1979.
JesusoftheMountainsCatholicChurch,Phelps,KY,isthenewplaceofministryfor
10 Sr.BethandthenewhomeoftheBenedictineSistersintheKentuckymountains.