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Recent News Food Drive for World Day for Consecrated Life Imagine going to bed hungry or wondering if there would be food for your children for supper! We invite you to help us alleviate pain, hunger, and the accompanying shame felt by many of our brothers and sisters. The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with all the communities of women and men religious in the diocese, are sponsoring a food drive as a way of highlighting World Day for Consecrated Life on February 5, 2012. This is a day set aside by the Pope as a time of thanksgiving and prayer for all women and men religious throughout the world, those past, present, and yet to come. What better way to honor these people who have spent their lives for God and in the service of others than with a collection of non-perishable food to assist those who are having difficulty feeding their families! From 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 29 until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012, please bring your donation of all types of non-perishable food items to the front door of St. Benedict Monastery, 4530 Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15229, or contact Sister Evelyn at 412-931-2844 or evelyndettling@yahoo.com. In return, you will have the wonderful feeling that comes from feeding the hungry in the name of Jesus. In addition, you will receive a ribbon to wear in honor of consecrated men and women throughout the world and a prayer card. The Sisters will also contribute food to support this drive to alleviate hunger. Each religious community will deliver their donations to a food bank of their choice. The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh will take their food stuffs to the North Hills food bank where Sister Corinne Moeller has served as coordinator. Working together, we can make this a great success!
Sister Dolores Conley publishes her book...
Purchase the book directly from Sister Dolores at 412-931-2844 or order them from her at deeconleyosb@yahoo.com for $18.00 + $5.00 for handling and shipping. You may want to stop at the Monastery Gift Shop to buy your copy and find other gifts.
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY partners with Working Order When Dr. Susan Merrie English, a Sister with the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh and faculty member of the Professional Coach Certificate Program (PCCP) at Duquesne University, became familiar with the Volunteers of America Working Order program, she immediately envisioned a mutually-beneficial opportunity. She knew that recent graduates of the PCCP, now coaches, required documented professional life coaching hours to complete certification. Dr. English also suspected that entrepreneurs with disabilities and limited incomes who are clients at Working Order, a small business incubator, might need more than business coaching to succeed. Staff from both organizations explored this possibility and agreed that a “partnership” would be most fruitful for coaches and clients. Duquesne University, School of Leadership and Professional Advancement, PCCP and Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania entered into an agreement to make Dr. English’s vision a reality. To date, three well-qualified graduates have been partnered with Working Order clients who are benefitting from additional support in work and life issues and who could not afford the cost of professional life coaching. Mary Kwiatkowski, PC with MEK Solutions LLC and a PCCP graduate and volunteer coach, recently observed, “I believe it’s a wonderful partnership. The coaching client I’m working with from Volunteers of America is looking at new perspectives of what her career will look like. “There have been exploration and choices made that are more fulfilling for the client,” Kwiatkowski added. “Sometimes people get stuck in their careers and by looking at new perspectives opportunities open up. I think new coaching students and coaches can experience great practice opportunities with clients from Volunteers of America. It’s a win-win for both parties. Visit Volunteers of America at: www.voapa.org
“Faith grows. Excellence abounds.” This motto of St. Teresa of Avila School greets each person entering the building. Once inside the building, five minutes is all it takes to know that these are not mere words on a placard but a vibrant expression of the life and spirit that impels this school community of students and teachers, administrators and parents, parishioners and alumni, friends and benefactors to move forward in leaps and bounds.
A quiet and powerful impetus behind this dynamic is Sister Karen Brink, OSB, principal at St. Teresa School for 8years. Sister Karen’s enthusiasm drives her vision for continual revitalization and enhancement of the school program at all levels; staff, curriculum, equipment, and plant. Sister Karen says, “I love my ministry here and I have always loved it. So much has happened over the years to make this school what it is today! I am proud of the tradition of excellence in education initiated by the Benedictine Sisters when they came to St. Teresa School 106 years ago and I am committed to carry it on. This is our oldest, longest standing ministry.” Because of her enthusiasm in creating walk-a-thons and attracting donations, the children are introduced to the excitement of learning in a bright, attractive, and fun-filled kindergarten. Older students enjoy the benefits derived from working in computer and science labs that are up-to-date, attractive, well-equipped, under the tutelage of highly effective teachers. And excitement flourishes! Not long ago someone mentioned to Sister Karen that the stage curtain had a large tear. Once more the wheels began to turn—revitalize, enhance! At a time when fine art departments are being slashed and burned, some parents, teachers and friends joined Sister Karen in dreaming about ways to upgrade the library, the stage and auditorium, the music and art departments. Their dreams and schemes led Sister Karen to apply for a grant from the A.J. and Sigismunda Palombo Charitable Trust. At first she was shy about asking for the $80,000 that would underwrite all of their hopes for revitalization. Sister Karen said, “I don’t want to be greedy.” Others, however, convinced her to request the full amount. “Ask, and you shall receive” certainly applies here for Sister Karen admits being overwhelmed when she received word that the grant application had been awarded in full. Celeste Gaber who teaches art remarked, “This is a dream come true, a huge blessing for every one here. Because of this grant we are able to dream big, to do more projects, to supply special art materials to all the children.” And the children are exited because they have individual easels on which to work, hard bound sketch books that will be their portfolio through eight years of art education. For the students there will be new challenges like working with dry clay and doing metal embossing. Then to top it all off, there is a new, high powered digital camera to document students at work throughout the fine arts department. And the beat goes on. New Silver Burdett “Making Music” books provide songs and unchained melodies. Then there is the challenge of new music software. All of this is complemented by USB Piano Keyboards and Orff Instruments. Even the students agree, “Learning music has never been so exciting before!” Remember, this started with a tear in the stage curtain. What a thrill it will be to attend the Musical Review on May 20 and enjoy the new stage curtains, new lights, microphones, and music stands while sitting in comfortable new chairs. Not a bad way to mend a tear! And last but not least, the library! The Palombo Grant included $12,500 for award winning books and additional shelving. However, one good gift inspired another and through the generosity of parents in the school community, the library will also be home to new furniture. A school community led by Sister Karen Brink, OSB dreamed of enhancing the fine arts department in order to excite, engage and enrich all the students at St. Teresa School. They worked hard because they believe fine arts are essential in developing the full potential of the human spirit. The arts stretch young people and instill both appreciation and skill. Through the collaborative effort of the St. Teresa School Community and the generosity of a former coal miner who did not go beyond the 8the grade, this school, now more than ever, provides the environment where faith grows and excellence abounds in leaps and bounds.
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Sister Dolores Conley, OSB is an artist and teacher who is exploring a new media. She has recently published a beautiful book for children of all ages, “Bitsy and Big Leaf. “ Bitsy is a tiny leaf that longs for adventure but fears letting go. He teams up with Big Leaf to gain courage. It is a delightful story as well as an important life lesson. The book has original, full color illustrations. It is a perfect Christmas gift for your little ones. It is the book to read to your grandchildren and teach them new words. They will enjoy the illustrations. Sequels to the story of Bitsy will soon be published in the winter/spring 2012. Enjoy!
