Peace The path to is a pathway to life and love in God · “The Path to Peace,” the theme of...

BenedictinesBenedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh

Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts

Fall 2014St. Benedict Monastery

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The path to

who is love.

is a pathway to

life and love in

Peace

God

Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh

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“Let peace be your quest and aim”…with these words early in the Rule of Saint Benedict, those who follow the Benedictine way are both challenged and encouraged to a countercultural way of living. “The Path to Peace,” the theme of this issue, provides inspiration for us not only to find the pathways but also to live a life grounded in peace.

As I write these words, peace seems to be eluding us in our local urban area, our country and our world; and lack of peace may be and often is discouraging to us as individuals and to the entire human race. And I am reminded of the story of the beachcomber who one day found a starfish with one of its rays missing. The thoughtful individual picked up the one starfish and threw it back into the sea. When asked by a fellow beachcomber why, with so many starfish missing a ray, would she bother to pick up one to toss into the sea, what difference would it make? She answered, “It makes a difference to this one!”

What would happen in our world if everyone took one small action to be a peacemaker? They tell us that one letter written to a representative in Congress has the effect of thousands of letters. How many letters requesting decisions which support peace have we written…myself, included? Former prioress, Sister Pauline Stevens, used to say, “Smile…and soon there will be miles and miles of smiles…just because you smiled!” What a small gesture it takes to make a difference in someone else’s life!

In our Catholic tradition, we have the practice during our Eucharistic celebrations of offering those around us the sign of peace. Often when I am at Mass with a group of individuals whom I do not know, I turn to the individual wishing him or her peace, adding a silent prayer that peace may enter the life of that person where there is the most need. This gesture will not provide peace for our troubled world, but it may give peace to one member of our human race.

In his inaugural address to the crowds who followed him, Jesus presented the beatitudes. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). How can we be peacemakers? As he gave his “final address” to his disciples, Jesus gave them and us a farewell gift. “Peace I leave with you, my peace is my gift to you. (John 14:27) How do we receive that gift? How do we use this most precious treasure? The answer to these questions shows each of us the path to peace!

Most Benedictine houses proudly display a “sign of peace” somewhere on their property. Visitors to our home will find the statue of Saint Benedict greeting them as they travel up the hill toward our main door. At the base of the statue is the Latin word, “PAX.” Saint Benedict began his ministry of peacemaking in the sixth century in a continent suffering the ravages of violence and war. He invited his followers to join the quest for peace.

As I write my first thoughts to share with you, friends of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh at Bakerstown, I invite you to reflect on your own journey of peace. Let us continue to work and pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, and in our world.

From the PrioressBy Sister Karen R. Brink, OSB

Peace

We are the Benedictine Sisters

of Pittsburgh, continuing 1500 years

of seeking God in Community,

Prayer and Ministry.

BENEDICTINES is a publication of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, PA for families, friends and benefactors of the Community.

Managing Editor: Alison Serey, DirectorOffice of Community Advancement

Contributors:Sister Mary Agnes Gmuer, OSBSister Karen R. Brink, OSBSister Susanne Chenot, OSBSister Evelyn Dettling, OSBSister Mary Edward Skovran, OSBSister Susan Merrie English, OSBSister Linda Larkman, OSBSister Shelly Farabaugh, OSBSister Elizabeth Matz, OSBJanice Lane Palko, St. Benedict Academy, Class of 1978

St. Benedict Monastery3526 Bakerstown RoadBakerstown, PA 15007

Phone: 724-502-2600Fax: 724-502-2601Website: www.osbpgh.orgEmail: [email protected]


Table of Contents

Path to Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Benedictines for Peace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Discernment Process Focuses . . . . . . . . 7 on Leadership

Oblates of St. Benedict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

A Look-Back at SBA Basketball . . . . . . . 9

2014 Jubilarians: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Rejoice and Be Glad

Welcome Sisters Mary David . . . . . . . .12 and Mary James!

Quality Time with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sister Kathleen Mack

Ministry News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Please remember the Benedictine Sisters in your Will.

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Mark Your Calendar

SAVE THE DATE:

Saturday, October 18, 20141:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.Open House for Capital Campaign Benefactors

Saturday, December 6, 201410:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Advent Spiritual Spa: Living Light

Wednesday, December 31, 20145:00 p.m.Peace Vigil: Program to be Announced

Sunday, January 4, 20151:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Epiphany/Christmas Open House

Saturday, March 7, 201510:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Spiritual Spa: Program to be Announced

For the Oblates’ meeting schedule and to view our Annual Report to Benefactors for Fiscal Year 2014, please visit www.osbpgh.org.

Peace! It is the yearning of humanity. Some people shout it; some people claim it; some fight to conquer it. There are people who demonstrate in the streets and squares so that others can learn of peace and cooperate to bring it where it is lacking: the ideological, political, and social levels.

There is socio-political peace, there is family peace, there is peace among communities – and there is Profound Peace, the only one which makes all the others One. This profound peace comes from fundamental choices in life, based on the gospel of Jesus, who, as a person and in his message, is the herald of peace and of the beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers…” True peace resides in God, with whom we can establish a more intimate and lively relationship through prayer. (Psalms of Peace, S. Paul Publications, 1989)

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bbBenedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh

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If you watch the news or read the paper, it is hard to imagine a PATH TO PEACE. There is so much hostility,

conflict, and war throughout the world that it is hard to find places of peace. So, if we cannot find the destination “peace” how can there be a path? If we go hiking, we expect a path to have markers or lights to indicate and lead the way. Is our problem one of the destination not existing, one of the path not being visible, or one of faulty expectations about our seeking the path to peace? The Rule of Benedict and Psalm 33 tell us: “If you desire true and eternal life … let peace be your quest and aim.” In St. Benedict’s chapter on good works, there is practical advice about this quest for peace. He advises us to make peace with anyone with whom we have a dispute before the sun goes down. And most important: “Never lose hope in God’s mercy.” (Chap 4.74)

Let us analyze the first question: is our problem one of the destination not existing? Peace is very hard to find in our world. A simple kind of problem analysis says “this is the goal, how do we get there?” God sometimes gives us goals that are difficult for us humans to understand. And for modern Americans, the goal may be very challenging to appreciate – like the Gospel example of paying the workers at the end of the day all the same amount. This lesson offends our commonly held concept of “fair.” You can hear the workers saying that the employer is not fair, that they worked longer. The images in the story of the prodigal son, the forgiveness of the father and the reaction of the faithful other son challenge us. Jesus so often healed and cared for those people whom the society excluded or declared unclean. So, maybe our challenge is to follow Christ and to seek God instead of worrying what the end will look like. Maybe we should focus on the path to peace rather than the goal that seems so challenging in a world that speaks of peace but wages war.

In the second question, we take our focus off the goal and address the question of the path not being visible. On any path, signs, symbols, and experience are used to indicate the way. But the existence of indicators

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is not enough, of itself. I have been on hiking trails in a large area where various symbols or colors are used to mark trails. If you start out on the green trail with green paint indicators on the trees, because it is a one mile jaunt, you may be sorry if you switch to the red indicators midway through and end up on a ten mile trip instead of what you planned. In this example, the path is visible because you know what to look for - paint on trees. Other paths may be marked by lights, stones laid to indicate the way, or many other signs. Psalm 33:14-15 gives us some clear indicators:

Keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit;

turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim.

If you are really looking for a list of signs and indicators, the fourth chapter of St. Benedict’s Rule entitled “Tools for Good Works” is a valuable compendium including commandments, good spiritual practices, and indicators of Christian maturity. These lists end with a surprising admonition after all these assurances of the way to live. “And finally, never lose hope in God’s mercy.” (Chap 4:74) I think we must also look at our third issue or question.

What does it mean to have faulty expectations about our seeking the path to peace? Do we expect an end point? How long will it take? Can I do it alone? What type of path is it: straight, narrow, convoluted, easy? Do I have to seek peace? I happened upon a book by Margaret Wheatley called Perseverance and I am intrigued even by the definitions regarding our expectations about the path to peace. Perseverance in Latin: one who sees through to the end; one who doesn’t yield. In English: the author describes how we maintain our activity despite difficulties. In Chinese: the symbol is the same as the one often used for patience. In this book, one of the chapter headings is: “Let go of the shore.” She talks about letting go of the shore to get out into

PATH TO PeaceBy Sister Shelly Farabaugh


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the middle of the river; to flow with the tide and to lose one’s sense of safety. Can this idea have any connection to our expectations about the path to peace?

To let go takes a lot of strength but sometimes weakness too. Picture a person clinging to a root on a cliffside and needing to fall into the arms or net of rescuers below them. Giving over the control and to trust in others may take every bit of strength in a person’s body and mind. If they cannot give in to that need to let go, eventually weakness and exhaustion may bring them to the safety below. Do our expectations of the path to peace include letting go?

For most people, letting go involves a lot of fear, fear of the unknown. Fear is such a prevalent part of human experience that every religion carries a message in some form of “do not be afraid”. How many times in the Gospel, after the resurrection, does Jesus tell his followers, “Fear not”? Fear is an experience that is truly primal and part of the fight or flight instinct. Fear affects our body, mind and spirit with higher blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety and agitation, and at times depression. Fear can be the biggest hindrance in some people’s lives. The best fruit does not grow on the trunk of the apple tree; we must step out on the branches. We must leave the shore to ride the waves just as Peter had to leave the boat to understand Jesus’ presence. “O you of little faith, take courage: it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matt. 14:31)

The path to peace is a pathway to life and love in God who is love. Love is always changing, so our pathway is a pathway to change. We cannot get stuck on the goal, what we think the path should be, or what we expect it to be. As monastics, as Christians, as people of spirit, we are on the way. More than one prominent teacher has said that their biggest message to our world is: WAKE UP.

Every day I must make a choice not to give up. There is never a final decision. Let go of the shore in order to find the path to peace.

The path to peace is a pathway

to life and love in God who is love.

Love is always changing,

so our pathway is a pathway to change.

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The Benedictine charism of peace challenges the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh to witness to gospel values.

Recognizing this call to be peacemakers, several Sisters serve on an internal committee, Benedictines for Peace (BFP), which is charged with keeping all the Sisters current on peace and justice issues and sponsoring events to advance and promote peaceful relationships and just lives. This committee also collaborates with the National Benedictines for Peace organization, and with other local religious peace and justice groups.

The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh have been advocating for peace and justice since the 1980’s when Sister Susan Fazzini served as the National Coordinator of the Benedictines for Peace (BFP) organization. The Sisters’ current BFP group is led by Sister Susanne Chenot who is also a board member of the National organization.

Locally, Sister Susan Fazzini initiated Peace Vigils on New Year’s Eve, a program open to the public that continues today. The Peace Vigils focus on the ongoing conversion of our hearts to peace through scripture and prayer, and on specific topics that help us to better understand the poor, other cultures, and religions. Last year, Father Leroy DiPietro spoke to “Spirituality of Compassion: Social Justice and the Prophets” and in years past, vigils have featured Sharon Eakes, a member of the Bah’i faith who sang with people from around the world in the 4th annual Baha’i Choral Festival; Yinka Aganga-Williams, PhD., who shared her experiences working with immigrant and refugee populations in Africa and in Pittsburgh; and Rufus Idris, executive director of Christian Evangelistic Economic Development (CEED), who addressed immigration issues.

Three years ago, Benedictines for Peace added Stations of the Cross, an annual program focused on peace and justice and also open to the public. This program is generally scheduled a week or two before Palm Sunday.


BFP also collaborates with other local religious peace and justice groups. Sister Susan Merrie English, a BFP member, is on the executive board of Casa San Jose, a newly formed nonprofit sponsored by the St. Joseph Sisters of Baden, to help with the needs of Latino immigrants in Pittsburgh. Several BFP members attend People Against Trafficking in Humans (PATH) to Justice meetings, an intercommunity Catholic religious women’s group focused on human trafficking and immigration issues, and BFP members assisted PATH with the development of “We Are All Immigrants”, a DVD narrated by Lynn Cullen, radio talk show host in Pittsburgh.

The National Benedictines for Peace invites Benedictine communities, their oblates and/or individual monastics to be part of a national network. Recognizing the call to be peacemakers, the national organization gives a common voice to a vision of peace as the violence of our day is confronted with the love of Christ that it might be transformed by prayer and actions.

For information on the next Peace Vigil and Stations of the Cross, visit our Web site, www.osbpgh.org, or call Sister Susanne Chenot at 724-502-2567.

Benedictines for PeaceBy Sr. Susan Merrie English and Sr. Susanne Chenot

Sisters Susanne Chenot (left), Susan Merrie English (center), and Joann Hothersall enjoy planning the next meeting for Benedictines for Peace



Discernment Process Focuses on Leadership

In early spring, 2014, the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh entered into one of the most sacred duties entrusted to a monastic community – the election of Prioress and Council.

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This profound responsibility is enfolded in a process of prayer and listening known as discernment. Discernment means listening “with the ear of the heart” to the Spirit, to one’s inner wisdom, and to the wisdom of each other. Discernment means reflecting on and promoting what is best for the common good of the community. As part of this process, the community engages in very special prayer. We pray in memory of each of our deceased Sisters invoking her intercession for wisdom, courage, and the patience to be faithful to the process; and each living member is remembered by name on a day of prayer dedicated to her so that she may be open to the voice of God’s Spirit.

The discernment process has two steps. First, through dialogue and shared wisdom, the community formulates direction statements that will guide the Prioress and the Council in leading the community for the next six years. These direction statements set the agenda for the community’s involvement in ministry and in addressing the needs of the community itself. Because this is such an important undertaking, a Sister from another Benedictine community is invited to facilitate this part of the process. This year, February 14-16, Sister Judith Murphy, OSB of St. Scholastica Monastery in Chicago, Illinois served as facilitator. She assisted the community in the formulation, writing and approval of Direction Statements 2014-2020.

The weekend of April 25, Sister Judith Murphy returned with Sister Glenna Smith, President of the Federation of St. Scholastica (a canonical structure that incorporates independent Benedictine women’s monasteries into a union for the purposes of networking, providing support for one another, and for advancing the Benedictine

charism). Together, they led the community through the second step of the discernment process which is to call forth the Sister deemed most capable of holding the Community in unity and peace and fostering the fulfillment of the direction statements. Again, this process is rooted in prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit and the shared wisdom of the Sisters. Sisters whose names surface in the shared wisdom process are asked to speak about their own hopes and concerns, dreams, and vision for the future of this community. This is always a time of deep listening followed by earnest prayer.

This year, it became clear to the community that Sister Karen R. Brink was the woman called forth by the Spirit and by her Sisters to serve as Prioress at this time in the community’s history.

To fulfill Canon Law, Sister Glenna then conducted an official election. By secret ballot, the Sisters affirmed what they had already proclaimed: Sister Karen R. Brink, OSB was the Community’s choice for the fifteenth Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh.

A week later, following a shorter process, the community elected Sister Susan Merrie English, Sister Shelly Farabaugh, and Sister Bridget Reilly to serve as Councilors. Sister Karen filled the last three Council seats by appointing Sister Barbara Helder, who was also appointed to serve as Sub-Prioress; Sister Evelyn Dettling; and Sister Susan Fazzini.

The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, like most other Benedictine communities of women in the United States, engage in this process every six years to determine their direction and leadership.


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Oblates of St. Benedict are people of the general community who formally associate themselves with a specific Benedictine monastery. The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh treasure the gift of faith filled Oblates. These women and men, through their quiet commitment to the Rule of Benedict accompanied by prayer and praise of the Monastic Hours (also referred to as the Liturgy of the Hours – psalms, hymns, prayers, biblical and spiritual readings arranged for recitation on a prescribed schedule; the basis of prayer for Christian monasticism prayed for the benefit of the entire world), give each of us strength to collaborate in prayer, community and ministry.

Our relationship with a mom, medical assistant, CCD instructor, a sculler, grandfather, care giver, lawyer, music director, Deacon or nurse, all vital persons of every walk of life, enrich our religious community. Spiritual strength is engendered and links are created for ministry. We are affirmed both as Community and as Oblate in our commitment to the goodness, grace and response to the Benedictine way.

The mission of our Oblate program is to create opportunities to grow in the Spirit of Saints Benedict and Scholastica as seekers of the Living God. Shared reading and shared wisdom enhances the lived experience along with monthly gatherings for reflection and prayer. Benedictine Hospitality extends a welcome to our Oblates and to all those who may be interested in becoming an Oblate of St. Benedict.

Visit our Web site, www.osbpgh.org for the scheduled Oblate gatherings, or contact Sister Linda (412-737-0969) or Sister Elizabeth (724-502-2579) for more information.Oblates of St. Benedict

By Sister Elizabeth Matz

What does being a Benedictine Oblate mean to you?

All my life I have been seeking to know and understand God. And in doing so, I have come to understand that in seeking God, it is really God who is seeking me. Through God’s grace, I discovered Benedictine spirituality and the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh. As an oblate, I am not pulled away from my vocation of marriage or my responsibilities as mother, daughter, sister and employee. Instead, I hope that I fulfill these roles better. I now have a sense of peace and purpose in knowing that all time belongs to God, all work is holy, and all we do can give glory to God. I am grateful that God led me to search for Him and that He gave me guides and fellow-seekers in the Benedictine Sisters.

– Barbara Matera

There has always been a disconnection between my call to be spiritual and my human nature. Becoming an Oblate and attending Oblate meetings has enabled me to bridge that gap and bring these two aspects of my being more into alignment. By pondering upon the Rule of Benedict, with the instruction of our Oblate Director, and with the example of my fellow Oblates, I have at hand the tools to apply to my daily struggles with the weaker, more human aspects of my life and a guide toward reaching more spiritual goals.

– BeBe Szalai

An Oblate is a lay person living under a modified rule; without vows; a member of one of several Catholic communities of men or women. For me it is coming together with the Benedictine Community and other women and men who have like interests, spirituality and common beliefs. We come together to pray the divine office, share meals, and learn more about St. Benedict’s rule. I grew up in a parish run by Benedictine priests and I was taught by the Benedictine Sisters so I have always been involved with the Benedictine ideals. It was only natural to be involved as an Oblate of St. Benedict Monastery with the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh.

– Madelyn SvidergolFather Leroy DiPietro receives Offertory Gifts from Oblates, Joyce Cummings (left) and Barbara Weidenhof (right) on Oblate Sunday.



Before they had an official name, before they had a gym, before players could cross the center line, there was a basketball team at St. Benedict Academy.

Mary Lou Wallace Gruber ’50 played guard on the academy’s first team. “I played all four years and loved it,” said Gruber. “We had no gym when the school opened so we used the one at Nativity.” Her coach was the late Tom Foerster, who later became Allegheny County Commissioner. While Foerster played an important role in her life, it was the coach who succeeded him that made an even greater impact on Mary Lou. She married Bill Gruber, who coached the team for 35 years and amassed an astounding 612 wins. “I graduated in June, and he started coaching at SBA in the fall. He coached my three sisters and three of his daughters there.”

One of those sisters was JoAnn Wallace Rooney ’56, and it was also through her playing days that she met her husband, John. “My teammate Trisha Fiske was a cousin of the Rooneys and was raised by them. The team was always having parties, and one time Mrs. Rooney hosted the team with a big spread of food. When the four Rooney brothers came home—they all went to North Catholic—and saw all the girls there, they were pretty happy. However, one brother, John, went into another room and sat in his father’s chair. Well, my teammates dared me to go into the room and ask him for a dime. I did, but he said he didn’t have one. We’ve been together ever since—59 years!”

Elaine Sturm Jorden ’51 met her husband because of basketball too. “Before high school I played in the neighborhood where I grew up. In fact, one of the boys I shot basketball with became my husband (Tom) in 1956,” said Elaine, who was a member of the 1st place team in the Class C Division in 1950 and in Class B in 1951. When Elaine played, the team was not known as the Lassies. “When we started playing basketball, we also had a basketball team club, and we named our team VTM (Victory Through Mary) because we prayed to Mary before every game. Our name was more of a motto, but VTM was written in the school newsletter as our name.”

As the team’s name changed throughout the years so did the uniforms. Kathleen McArdle Mathis ’56 said of them, “Our uniforms were like everything else in the ‘50s—covered up and simple!”

“They had these kind of balloon pants made from a heavy material with elastic on the legs,” said Donna Fisher Borza ’62.

“The varsity uniforms were blue shorts above the knees and shirts with collars and gold numbers, which weren’t too bad, but the jayvee had these crazy pin-striped uniforms,” said Ann Lang Bradshaw, who graduated in 1978 and was the only girl from that class to play all four years.”

Sister Karen Brink, who was recently elected the Community’s Prioress, describes them more colorfully. “They were shiny, thick, and smelled—and we had to iron them!” said Sister who played on the teams that won back-to-back City Championships in 1962 and 1963. In those days, there were 18 Catholic girls high schools in the league in which SBA competed.

Some of the rivals mentioned over the years were the teams from St. Mary’s Sharpsburg, Sacred Heart, and Mt. Assisi. While the girls became friends with their teammates some even became friends with their competitors. “Tessie from St. Rosalia and I became friends. I even invited her to my wedding,” said Mary Lou. Donna taught in the Pittsburgh Public Schools with two other players she competed against and became friends.

Ann still remembers the songs the team warmed up to: “Still the One” and “Rubber Band Man.” JoAnn said they warmed up to “Be Kind to Your Web-footed Friends.”

A Look-Back at SBA BasketballBy Janice Lane Palko

Continued on page 7

Coach Gruber with the Varsity Team, 1963. You will find Sister Karen Brink in the second row, third from the left.


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Sister Marilyn Fox

“Sixty years, a diamond jubilee! I cannot believe how quickly these years have flown and I am happy and grateful for each and every year.”

Sister Marilyn, the former Betty Fox, was born and raised in Beechview, Pennsylvania, the second oldest of four girls born to Madelyn Walton Fox and Hugh Fox. She attended St. Catherine Elementary School and South Hills High School. When just a teen, Betty lost both her mother and father, and even though she knew from an early age that she wanted to become a religious, she gladly embraced the responsibility of raising her youngest sister, Patty.

She cared for Patty while she pursued her career as secretary for the Consolidated Coal Company now known as the Consol Energy Company. When Patty was preparing to marry, Betty helped plan her wedding and took delight in creating the heart shaped head piece and veil that Patty wore on her wedding day. When her “little Patty” was settled in her new life, Betty felt free to follow her heart’s desire and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh.

As a novice, Betty received the name, Sister Marilyn. She says, “Jesus fulfilled my deepest longings when he called me to follow him by living a life rooted in the Gospels and in the Rule of St. Benedict. The Rule of Benedict

keeps me anchored in prayer, community and ministry. It is gentle and peaceful and its wisdom has helped me to live a life of balance and harmony.”

Sister Marilyn enjoyed teaching in Catholic Elementary Schools and she particularly relished teaching Latin, English and Business subjects at St. Benedict Academy and Greensburg Central Catholic. She hopes her students remember the “passion for learning” she strove to give them and her concern that they excel to the best of their ability.

Now, in addition to being faithful to the community’s daily schedule of prayer and activity, Sister Marilyn enjoys helping with the work of the Office of Community Advancement, playing Scrabble, and spending extra time in private prayer.

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Sister Michelle Farabaugh

Carrolltown, Pennsylvania was a stronghold of Benedictine Spirituality and culture. It was here that Carole Farabaugh, the second oldest of 10 children, was born to Leona Kirsch Farabaugh and Fred Farabaugh. Her life was rooted in the church, in her close knit family, and in her school. Sister Michelle reflects, “Benedictine community life was very attractive to me at a young age because I have always lived in community. My grandfather had 16 children and 130 grandchildren.” Carol excelled in her studies and was inspired by the kindness and dedication of her teachers. She often attended Vespers and sometimes went to Compline (night prayer) with the Sisters at the convent. She came to the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh as a sophomore in high school.

In 2014, the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh celebrate the 60th Jubilee of Sister Marilyn Fox and Sister Michelle Farabaugh, two women who exemplify the teaching of St. Benedict, “Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.”

2014 Jubilarians: Rejoice and Be Glad

Sister Michelle has had many, diverse ministry positions, two of which she greatly enjoyed. She loved her work as Campus Minister at Indiana University of Pennsylvania helping college students wrestle with challenging questions about God and religion. Her keen intelligence, theological expertise and compassion equipped her to respond clearly and without judgment to their dilemmas. Years later, she was involved as a psychiatric social worker at St. Francis Hospital where she assisted severely ill mental patients who were poverty stricken at many levels. Some of this time was spent with Operation Safety Net bringing help to the homeless living on the street.

Vatican II and the changes it evoked were the source of Sister Michelle’s greatest challenge and reward. From the beginning she appreciated the freedom and responsibility that the Council mandates provided. She was encouraged as some of the Sisters embraced the changes and became more mature in their faith understanding and response. She delighted as the Community began to live the Benedictine charism more authentically. At the same time, she grieved the deep and enduring pain that some Sisters suffered with the changes in the church and in religious life.

Sister Michelle was raised to be responsible, to be unafraid of making decisions and to be a leader. These qualities were recognized by her Benedictine Community and she was elected to serve as Prioress from 1982 to 1990 and again from 2002 to 2008. She was also elected First Councilor of the Federation of Saint Scholastica and served for six years. Sister Michelle says, “I never sought positions of leadership, but when the calls came from the Community and the Federation, I was happy to serve and gave them my best energy.”

Today, Sister Michelle is a Care Manager for Behavior Health with the UPMC Health Plan. It is her responsibility to help people recently discharged from in-patient psychiatric care access and benefit from outpatient care.

Sister Michelle muses, “Life as a Benedictine has been extremely fulfilling. It has enabled me to move toward and fulfill my aspirations. My greatest wish is that others could experience the same kind of life. In other words, “Come see.’”



While the memories of the players were different, two things were shared by everyone interviewed. The first is their respect and admiration for Coach Gruber. “He said ‘Oh, Fisher’ so many times, I thought I was Irish,” recalled Donna.

“He knew the game through and through,” said Sister Karen. “He was tough but kind. One time he called us a bunch of cream puffs. Then the next day brought us some.”

“He instilled in us the best practices—discipline, hard work, smart play. Team work was the word of the day. He was the best,” said Kathleen.

“Bill Gruber is an extraordinary man and an excellent coach,” said JoAnn, high praise coming from not only a player but also a sister-in-law.

“By the time he got to my years, he was getting older and a bit softer,” Ann said fondly of her former coach.

The second thing all the players noted was how much playing at the academy meant to them. “It was a great way to make friends,” Ann said.

“All my memories of my playing days are really of a grand sort,” said Kathleen. “We had a cohesiveness that was phenomenal. Team sports are so important to a kid. They teach you team work. I wouldn’t trade my time at SBA for anything.”

“I learned a lot during my years playing basketball at SBA. I learned that prayer and trust go hand-in-hand and that all that we do is for the honor and glory of God,” said Elaine.

JoAnn Wallace Rooney, ‘56 (left) and Sister Mary Agnes Gmuer, ‘56 (right), ready for the jump!

A Look-Back at SBA Basketball Continued from page 5


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Sister Mary David Lecker came to us in March bringing her joyous spirit and abundant energy. July brought Sister Mary James Dippold with her warm smile, quiet strength and artistic talent. The two Sisters greatly enrich our Benedictine Community and strengthen our life of Prayer, Community and Ministry.

The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh have been richly blessed with the arrival of two Sisters from the first foundation of Benedictine women in the United States –

St. Joseph Monastery at St. Marys, Pennsylvania.

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Sister Mary James Dippold

I was born and raised in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, the home of St. Joseph Monastery, the first Benedictine Monastery of women in the United States. The Sisters were my neighbors, my teachers, my friends. Through twelve years of Catholic education, the positive influence of the Sisters on my development grew steadily stronger. I can’t think of a time in my life when I did not want to be a Benedictine Sister.

Becoming a Benedictine Sister provided opportunities for many different ways of serving God’s people. I graduated from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania with a degree in education and spent years as a teacher, a principal and an art instructor. I also filled many positions within the monastery serving as assistant treasurer, supervisor of lay employees, secretary to the prioress, council member, sub-prioress, and house coordinator. Currently, I enjoy giving private art lessons.

In July of 2014, St. Joseph Monastery in St. Marys, Pennsylvania closed. I transferred my vows to the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh who reside in Bakerstown, Pennsylvania. After a period of adjustment, I will reach out in service to the people of this area in whatever ways the Lord opens for me.

I have enjoyed all my years in religious life and I thank God every day for calling me to be one of his followers. Like any vocation in life, it has its ups and downs, but the blessing received in living Community life, serving the Lord and God’s people, are a hundredfold. I would encourage anyone who feels God is calling her to this Benedictine way of life, to discern this call prayerfully and to be willing to give it a try.

Sister Mary David Lecker

My religious vocation started when I began school. The Benedictine Sisters of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, taught us well and guided us as we grew in our faith. Along with four other candidates, I was accepted as a postulant in September 1954. As soon as I entered the monastery, I loved and cherished chanting the Divine Office and spending time before the Blessed Sacrament. The Sisters were encouraging and friendly.

I have been involved in several rewarding ministries as an elementary teacher, director of religious education, an aide for independent living for senior citizens and a pastoral care provider for seniors at the local hospital.

Suddenly my life changed. For many reasons our mon-astery in St. Marys needed to close and we were asked to transfer our vows to another Benedictine Community. After much prayer and thought, I chose St. Benedict Monastery in Bakerstown, Pennsylvania. I met with Sister Benita DeMatteis who was then the Prioress. This Community has accepted and welcomed me. It is where God wants me to be and with deep gratitude I feel part of this loving and caring Community.

Welcome Sisters Mary David and Mary James!

Quality Time with Sister Kathleen Mack

Where did you grow up and go to school?

I was born and raised on the North Side (Pittsburgh). I am the eighth of eleven children: five boys were born first and then six girls. One of my brothers died as an infant. I never knew him. We were a close-knit family and had lots of fun together. My mother had very definite ideas about what was appropriate for boys and what was expected of young women. From an early age my sisters and I learned to conduct ourselves as caring, responsible, young Catholic women. These were lessons I carried throughout my life. Annunciation Parish was central to the life of my family. We lived next door to the convent and I loved the Sisters. There was nothing I liked better than having one of the Sisters ask me to do a favor for her like cleaning the chalk boards or running to the store. I attended Annunciation grades one through nine. My best childhood friend went to St. Benedict’s Academy (SBA) and kept coaxing me to come. As a sophomore, I transferred to SBA and that was the beginning of a life-long love affair.

When and why did you decide to become a Benedictine?

Even as a child, I wanted to be a Sister. That desire deepened during my school years. Early on, I suppose the attraction had a lot to do with the fact that I wanted to be a teacher and nuns were the only teachers I knew. So in 1938, I entered the novitiate of the Benedictine Sisters and finished my senior year as a postulant. From the very beginning, I loved the sense of community—living, praying and working with good women whom I admired and enjoyed. That is even stronger now. You know, my younger sister Rita followed me to the convent

and became Sister Jean Marie. We were always very close and I had the privilege of caring for her after she had a severe stroke. My niece Sister Michael is also a Benedictine and she is a great friend to me.

You had many responsibilities as a Benedictine Sister, teacher, principal and other ministries, which was your favorite?

Oh, that’s easy! Teaching has been my life. When I was taking Student Teaching at Duquesne University, my professor told me that I was a “born teacher”. That made me very happy and gave me a lot of confidence. I especially loved teaching French. I had an aptitude for the language and spoke it fluently. I conducted my classes in French so the students were immersed in the language. We made it fun. I gave each student a French name and treated them like young adults. They were actively involved in the learning process. It was truly an exchange: I gave to them and they in turn gave to me. It was so much more than teaching a subject. I wanted to be involved in their development as whole persons. I loved it because, whatever we did, we did together.

Both as teacher and as principal, you became famous for “The Look”. What was that all about?

Well, that was something I learned as a child from my mother. She never raised her voice to her eleven children. She just gave us “The Look,” – a cold, dead stare that said, “No, that is not acceptable behavior”! She could stop my brothers in their tracks. I thought if it worked that well for her, it will work for me. And it did!

What do you like to do for fun?

I found my greatest fun and relaxation in anything I could do with the students. I loved to attend their football and basketball games. It was rewarding to work with them on the yearbook or school paper. I enjoyed watching their creativity grow and their sense of responsibility mature. It was life-giving and energizing. Again, it was truly an exchange because my imagination and creativity increased with theirs. Also, I have always enjoyed reading literature and poetry and, of course Scripture. They enriched my life and filled it with beauty. I especially liked Madeleine L’Engle’s writings. As always, my religious community, my family and friends continue to give meaning and joy to my life. It is fun to play Rummikub with Sister Christine in the evening, especially when I win. I like teasing the Sisters by giving them “The Look.” And I still love hearing from my students and carry them in my heart and prayer.

What word of advice do you have for us?

You will receive back what you give to others. So love: love the people around you and love what you do. Live from your heart and your heart will be filled.



Julie Connolly Petricini and Sister Kathleen Mack share quality time together.


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By: Sister Susan Merrie English, OSB

MinistryNews Briefs


Sister Karen Brink, our new prioress, served as team chair for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in their evaluation for both St. Benedict School in Carrolltown, Pennsylvania, and St. Leo School in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, last April when she was principal of St. Teresa of Avila School. In August, she attended the Leadership Conference of Women Religious assembly in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sister Roberta Campbell ministers to college students as an instructor in the undergraduate program at Carlow University in the Department of Education. She also serves as teacher certification officer.

Sister Evelyn Dettling was commissioned at St. Richard’s Parish on June 1 to be a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers are trained to give faith based support to people suffering from death of a love one, illness, or other difficulty. The Stephen Ministry is an international ecumenical program.

Sisters Sue Fazzini and Audrey Quinn are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Greene County Mission of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh. The mission was established to create a Benedictine presence and outreach

activities in rural Greene County. Sisters Sue and Audrey recently spoke at the annual Women’s Tea held by the Jefferson Baptist Church. Attendees provided financial support to the Sisters for their Heart and Sole program. Heart and Sole provides new school shoes to children in Greene County. With the generosity of many churches, schools and individuals, over 5,000 pairs of shoes have been distributed since the program’s inception 15 years ago.

Sister Sue Fazzini is featured in the award winning TV documentary “Change of Habit” which focuses on her work with prisoners (go to www.osbpgh.org for the link to the program). She recently attended an intensive training program, Trauma Informed Care, held at Graterford State Prison and sponsored by Rutgers University, which emphasized assisting inmates with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe mental health issues. As the result of her outstanding work, Sister Sue has been selected to attend the Emerging Women Executives Leadership Training in September which is sponsored by the National Association of Women Executives in Corrections.

Sister Raphael Frank is a volunteer minister at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, works as a greeter at Schellhaas Funeral Home, and ministers as Sacristan at the monastery. She says her ministries allow her to be a reflection of God’s loving care and compassion.

Sister Shelly Farabaugh and Sister Beth Carrender minister with the Salvation Army to assist homeless families. Sister Shelly explains that the difficulty for many homeless people is the lack of transportation to find jobs and housing, and the lack of funds for childcare.

Sister Barbara Helder was recently appointed as sub-prioress. She remarked that it is a people-oriented job in contrast to her ongoing task-oriented roles of Liturgist and Secretary. Some of the responsibilities of this new position include being a presence in the monastery when Sister Karen Brink cannot be available, and helping to keep the monastery running smoothly. Sister Barbara sees her role as one of the heart.

Sister Joann Hothersall enjoyed being a supervisor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church’s summer camp for kids. The summer camp involved swimming, field trips, and lots of other fun activities ending with a carnival. Sister Joann ministers during the school year at St. Paul’s as a tutor for children in grades K-5.

Sister Linda Larkman began serving as a teaching aid for the catechesis program at St. John Neumann Parish in September. Sister Linda was recently appointed by the prioress to be co-director of the Benedictine Oblates.

Sister Elizabeth Matz has been named co-director of the Benedictine Oblate program with Sr. Linda. This past spring she formed a “Shared Wisdom” group that met regularly to discuss and share insights from their reading of spiritual books. Sister Elizabeth also serves as the Director of Human Resources for the monastery.

Sister Judith Nero hosted a group of six volunteers from the Slippery Rock University Parish on July 24th. They spent time working on the grounds and joined the Sisters for lunch and a tour of the monastery. Sister Judith also volunteers for the Pittsburgh Literacy Council and teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) to individuals several times a week.

Sister Roberta Campbell with her students at Carlow University.

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Sister Lucille Snyder has been appointed to the ministry of hospitality and will be making arrangements for guests that visit St. Benedict Monastery. She reminds us that the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 53, states that all are to be welcomed as Christ who said: “I was stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matt. 25:35) Sister Lucille finds much joy in this ministry.

Sisters Donna Wojtyna demonstrated basket weaving and sold hand-made baskets at the Autumn Fest in Old Economy Village in September while Sister Mary Agnes managed the basketry stand. Also in September, Sister Donna and Sister Mary Agnes travelled to Seven Springs where Sister Donna gave a basket weaving class to the Pennsylvania Commissioners’ wives while the Commissioners were in meetings. Sister Donna will be teaching at Old Economy Village again on October 18th and December 13th. On November 8, Sisters Donna and Mary Agnes will be a part of the Vendor and Crafts Person’s sale at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Perrysville.

Crafters of the monastery, Sisters Donna Wojtyna, Marcia Koluder, Mary Edward Skovran, Anne Lazar, Mary James Dippold, Corinne Moeller, Mary David Lecker, and Monica Silan have been busy making a variety of items including Steeler gifts, children’s toys, baby items, kitchen articles, and various other items for purchase. The Crafters displayed their work this past summer at festivals at St. Catherine of Sweden in Gibsonia, St. Teresa of Avila Festival in Perrysville, and St. Richard’s in Richland.

All her life, Sister Carolyn Kunzler, OSB, was longing to see God. She lived a good life, a long life of loving and serving God, and after her final days of yearning and struggling to reach her heavenly reward, she passed into God’s loving embrace in the early morning of June 11, 2014. She was 94 years old and in the 76th year of her Religious Profession.

Frances Mary Agnes Kunzler was a middle child, the second daughter of eight children born to George and Caroline Heyl Kunzler. She grew up in Pittsburgh and attended St. Boniface Catholic Church.

From the time she was in third or fourth grade, Frances Mary Agnes wanted to be a nun. This desire grew from the reverence her parents had for priests and sisters. She entered religious life with the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh in July of 1936. The following summer she became a novice and was given the name: Sister M. Carolyn. She made her First Profession on July 11, 1938, and her Final Profession on July 11, 1941.

Sister Carolyn was 18 when she got her first assignment of ministry, teaching fourth grade at Sacred Heart in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. She discovered she loved teaching. From 1938 to 1985 she taught in Catholic schools in the Pittsburgh and Greensburg Dioceses, except for two years in the 1940s when she took classes and six years in the 1970s when she lived a more monastic experience at St. Columbkille in Imperial, Pennsylvania. When Saint Benedict Academy closed in 1985, Sister Carolyn “retired” to the Monastery to keep herself busy doing various works within the monastery and volunteer work with the Area Agency on Aging.

A holy woman who lived with unwavering faith and steadfast dedication, Sister Carolyn had great love for the Church, for Eucharist and for her Benedictine life. She will be remembered for her kindness, her Christ-centered living, her telephone ministry, and her interest in and support of her Sisters who described her as a good listener, tender-hearted, gentle, dependable, humble, appreciative, and a deeply spiritual Benedictine woman. In her later years she was accepting of her aging condition, surrendering to God and offering her suffering as prayer for everyone she knew. She was grace-filled and faithful to the Rule of Benedict. Her welcoming smile, genuine concern and encouragement is missed by all, but her longing is now complete; her quest is over. May she now rest forever in the loving arms of God.

Sister M. Carolyn Kunzler, OSBMarch 10, 1920 – June 11, 2014

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Sister Jeanne Ubinger mixing things up for the 2014 Bonanza drawings.

Sister Barbara Helder congratulates Carol J. Weber of Greensburg, Pennsylvania,

who won the 2014 Benedictine Bonanza jackpot of $8,815.

Sister Donna Wojtyna teaches basket weaving to students with the Mooncrest Program.

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St. Benedict Academy

In the mid 1880’s, the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh opened a fine arts academy for girls in their monastery known as Saint Mary Convent. In 1898, it was incorporated as Saint Benedict Academy (SBA).

SBA reopened in the new convent on Perrysville Avenue in 1931, but by the mid 1940’s, it was too small to meet the needs of a growing enrollment. So in 1950, a new building was constructed and SBA opened its own doors. Records show that between 1935 and 1985 more than 4000 women graduated from the Academy.

On September 20, 2014, almost four hundred SBA alumnae attended an all-class reunion at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry. Reconnecting with old friends, reminiscing, viewing a video history, and participating in the gift basket raffle were highlights of the afternoon. For the full story visit www.osbpgh.org. To see or download photos, visit www.flickr.com/photos/benedictinesisters.

Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh3526 Bakerstown RoadBakerstown, PA 15007

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U.I.O.G.D. – Ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus! – ‘That in all things GOD may be glorified’.

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Sister Karen Brink, OSB

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