“Be who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire.” 



-St. Catherine of Sienna






“Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire.” 


-St. Catherine of Siena

In Memory of Sr. Mary David Lecker

Sr. Mary David Lecker, OSB, age 91, of Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, died peacefully on September 12, 2026. Born in St. Marys, PA, on September 10, 1935, daughter of the late Norbert Lecker and Caroline Hassennetter Lecker. In addition to her fellow Benedictine sisters, Sr. Mary David is survived by her sister-in-law Linda Lecker and many nieces

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    and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her nine brothers and sisters, the late Clarence Lecker, Richard Lecker, Earl Lecker, Lavern Lecker, Frank Lecker, Marian Mertz, Bernice Kline, Martha Lecker, and Francis Moylan.


    Sr. Mary David earned her B.A. in Education from Villa Maria College, Villanova, PA in 1960. She taught elementary children until 1972 and then served as religious education director in Kane, PA. She also worked in ministry at Silver Creek Terrace Nursing Home until 2009. She entered religious life with the Benedictine Sisters of St. Marys, PA on September 8, 1954, and professed her vows on April 14, 1956. 


    After sister transferred to the Pittsburgh Community, she worked in the craft room preparing items for the gift shop, especially making soap. She also volunteered at Holy Sepulcher Parish with the women's mission group. She was committed to her call of "prayer and work", enjoyed being with people and was particularly sensitive to the ill and elderly. She loved being out in creation, taking a walk, shoveling snow, mowing the grass, tending the garden. She was also an avid card player.


    Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh. Fr. Leroy DiPietro, celebrant. Private interment will be held in St. Mary Cemetery, St. Marys, PA. 


    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, 3526 Bakerstown Road, Bakerstown, PA 15007. 

In Memory of Sr. Mary David Lecker

Sr. Mary David Lecker, OSB, age 91, of Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, died peacefully on September 12, 2026. Born in St. Marys, PA, on September 10, 1935, daughter of the late Norbert Lecker and Caroline Hassennetter Lecker. In addition to her fellow Benedictine sisters, Sr. Mary David is survived by her sister-in-law Linda Lecker and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her nine brothers and sisters, the late Clarence Lecker, Richard Lecker, Earl Lecker, Lavern Lecker, Frank Lecker, Marian Mertz, Bernice Kline, Martha Lecker, and Francis Moylan.


Sr. Mary David earned her B.A. in Education from Villa Maria College, Villanova, PA, in 1960. She taught elementary children until 1972 and then served as religious education director in Kane, PA. She also worked in ministry at Silver Creek Terrace Nursing Home until 2009. She entered religious life with the Benedictine Sisters of St. Marys, PA on September 8, 1954 and professed her vows on April 14, 1956. After sister transferred to the Pittsburgh Community

  • continue reading

    she worked in the craft room preparing items for the gift shop, especially making soap. She also volunteered at Holy Sepulcher Parish with the women's mission group. She was committed to her call of "prayer and work", enjoyed being with people and was particularly sensitive to the ill and elderly. She loved being out in creation, taking a walk, shoveling snow, mowing the grass, tending the garden. She was also an avid card player.


    Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh. Fr. Leroy DiPietro, celebrant. Private interment will be held in St. Mary Cemetery, St. Marys, PA. 


    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, 3526 Bakerstown Road, Bakerstown, PA 15007. 


In Memory of

Marilyn Llewellyn

A consummate teacher and scholar, and a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Marilyn J. Llewellyn, Ph.D., of Bellevue, died Sunday, Sept. 13, following complications of surgeries. She was 76.


The daughter of James B. Llewellyn and Adeline (Loschiavo) Llewellyn, Marilyn spent her childhood in Ambridge and attended St. Veronica Elementary and

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    High School; she moved with her family to Canton, OH, and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 1968. 


    Months after graduation, Marilyn entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, a congregation of Roman Catholic women who tolerated the lively 18-year-old entering the convent with a record player and stack of 45s. 


    From 1971 to 2021, Marilyn influenced hundreds of learners from elementary schools in Pittsburgh to graduate students at Carlow University. She taught at St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights from 1982-1992. Her classes in social studies were enriched with discussions on past and current events. She taught students to think outside the pages and look for those who were excluded from written history but vital to American culture. 


    While at St. Joe's, Marilyn began a drama program that encouraged students to use their skills in the production. The plays were a highlight of the school year. In 1992, Marilyn was awarded the diocesan Golden Apple for her excellent teaching and was one of six honorees recognized by the KDKA Thanks to Teachers program. 


    Before she finished her doctorate in 1998, Marilyn was hired at Carlow University, where she spent the next 23 years in the Education Department. She held numerous positions there, including Dean and Professor of Education, University Senate co-chair, and Program Chair for the Master of Education program. She wrote and co-authored four books on education, and in 2002, Marilyn received Carlow's prestigious faculty award for excellence in teaching. 


    Marilyn is survived by her dearest friend, Sr. Roberta Campbell, OSB, who also taught at St. Joe's. She also is survived by her brother, Eric; nieces, Andrea (Jason) Banks and Carmella Llewellyn; nieces and nephews, and a cadre of friends who will miss her immensely. 


    A celebration of life is planned from 1 to 4 p.m., Oct. 17, 2026, at the Sisters of St. Joseph motherhouse, 1020 State St., Baden, PA 15005. Contributions may be made to the congregation or to Casa San Jose, 1604 Broadway Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15216. 

You are welcome to join

the Sisters to pray

in person or from home

Rosary for Peace


on Monday, September 28

2:00 pm

in the Monastery chapel

3526 Bakertown Rd., Bakerstown, PA

You are welcome to join

the Sisters to pray

in person or from home

Rosary for Peace


on Monday, September 28

2:00 pm

in the Monastery chapel

3526 Bakertown Rd., Bakerstown, PA

LEADERSHIP AND

LIFE COACH TRAINING

An online two-year coach training

for women in faith-based ministry


Cohort 6 begins in November

Applications are due in September


Details and application available

on the coaching website

Congratulations

to Sister Kimberly Porter,

President of  the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica

The Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica, to which the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh belong, announced the election of Sr. Kimberly Porter as Congregation President. Sr. Kimberly is a member of St. Walburga Monastery in Covington, Kentucky.


LEADERSHIP AND

LIFE COACH TRAINING


An online two-year coach training for women

in faith-based ministry


Cohort 6 begins in November

Applications are currently being accepted


For more information please contact

Sister Susan Merrie English: 724-502-2580


Details and application

available on the coaching website


Welcoming our 2026 Oblates!

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    Oblation ceremony 2026

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    Oblation ceremony 2026


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    Sandy Kaminski, Judy Spreng, Oblate Co-director Barb Barbara Weidenhof, Oblate Co-director Sr. Eveleyn Dettling, Jane Rahenkamp, Marion Reynoso

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    Marion Reynoso

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    Prioress Sr. Karen Brink and Marion Reynoso

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    Jane Rahenkamp

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    Blessing by the Sisters

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Saint Benedict reminds us

"to let peace be your quest and aim." While this is from the Prologue of the rule of St. Benedict, encouraging a life of attentiveness, love and good works, where peace is not just an absence of conflict but an active pursuit through honest speech, turning from evil, serving others,

and building unity, ultimately leading to a deeper connection with God,

we must be actively involved in both the quest and the aim.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with ME!


Immigration


Please join the Sisters in prayer at 8 am every Friday morning: 


"Let us pray in solidarity with those women, men and children who gather at the headquarters of the ICE personnel. We pray for understanding and compassion as they work with our immigrant families who are threatened with deportation."


Blessings!




"Give me your tired,

your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to

breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these,

the homeless,

tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside

the golden door!" 


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a Special Message in November addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States.


It marked the first time in 12 years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops.

As pastors, we the bishops of the United States are bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion in Our Lord Jesus Christ. We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care. We lament that some immigrants in the United States have arbitrarily lost their legal status. We are troubled by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of

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    hospitals and schools. We are grieved when we meet parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school and when we try to console family members who have already been separated from their loved ones. 


    Despite obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation. We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity.


    Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together.


    We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate theirborders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. Without such processes, immigrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Safe and legal pathways serve as an antidote to such risks.


    The Church’s teaching rests on the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). As pastors, we look to Sacred Scripture and the example of the Lord Himself, where we find the wisdom of God’s compassion. The priority of the Lord, as the Prophets remind us, is for those who are most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger (Zechariah 7:10). In the Lord Jesus, we see the One who became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9), we see the Good Samaritan who lifts us from the dust (Luke 10:30–37), and we see the One who is found in the least of these (Matthew 25). The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34).


    To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26). You are not alone!


    We note with gratitude that so many of our clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful already accompany and assist immigrants in meeting their basic human needs. We urge all people of good will to continue and expand such efforts. 


    We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials. In this dialogue, we will continue to advocate for meaningful immigration reform. 


    As disciples of the Lord, we remain men and women of hope, and hope does not disappoint! (cf. Romans 5:5)


    May the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe enfold us all in her maternal and loving care and draw us ever closer to the heart of Christ.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a Special Message addressing

 their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States.


The full text of the Special Pastoral Message follows:

As pastors, we the bishops of the United States are bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion in Our Lord Jesus Christ. We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care. We lament that some immigrants in the United States have arbitrarily lost their legal status. We are troubled by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of hospitals and schools. We are grieved when we meet parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school and when we try to console family members who have already been separated from their loved ones. 


Despite obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation. We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity.


Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. We bishops advocate

  • Read more

    for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together.


    We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. Without such processes, immigrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Safe and legal pathways serve as an antidote to such risks.


    The Church’s teaching rests on the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). As pastors, we look to Sacred Scripture and the example of the Lord Himself, where we find the wisdom of God’s compassion. The priority of the Lord, as the Prophets remind us, is for those who are most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger (Zechariah 7:10). In the Lord Jesus, we see the One who became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9), we see the Good Samaritan who lifts us from the dust (Luke 10:30–37), and we see the One who is found in the least of these (Matthew 25). The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34).


    To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26). You are not alone!


    We note with gratitude that so many of our clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful already accompany and assist immigrants in meeting their basic human needs. We urge all people of good will to continue and expand such efforts. 


    We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials. In this dialogue, we will continue to advocate for meaningful immigration reform. 


     As disciples of the Lord, we remain men and women of hope, and hope does not disappoint! (cf. Romans 5:5)  


     May the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe enfold us all in her maternal and loving care and draw us ever closer to the heart of Christ.  



Saint Benedict reminds us "to let peace be your quest and aim."

While this is from the Prologue of the rule of St. Benedict, encouraging a life of attentiveness, love and good works, where peace is not just an absence of conflict but an active pursuit through honest speech, turning from evil, serving others, and building unity,

ultimately leading to a deeper connection with God,

we must be actively involved in both the quest and the aim.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with ME!



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