Benedictines - Year of Celebration - Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Benedictines Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts
St. B e n e d i c t M o n a s te r y WINTER 2020 B a ke r s to w n , P e n n s y l v a n i a
Year of Celebration
Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh 2 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.org
Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts
From the Prioress
Dear Friends of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh,
A note was recently posted on our bulletin board inviting
Sisters to help with undecorating our various Christmas displays.
Our decorations were elegant…in a simple way. And as each
decoration is removed and stored for another time, we move into the time that is called “ordinary.”
And to tell the truth, while I love the specialness of the holy days and holidays, I also cherish the “ordinary.”
We are approaching mid-point of our celebration of our 150th year of foundation, 1870.
As in most of our lives, most of those 150 times 365 days were ordinary for this Benedictine community.
Sisters went about their lives of prayer, community and ministry, responding with dedication and
commitment to their call to be of service to all to whom God called them. And, in doing so, their lives
touched the lives and crossed the paths of thousands and thousands of individuals…and because you are
reading this now, we are once again, or for the very first time, crossing your path. Thank you for
the privilege of that intersection.
The three Sisters who left Saint Joseph Convent in Saint Marys PA in 1870 were ordinary women who
obediently took on new responsibilities of Benedictine life with a determined spirit and little knowledge
of what awaited them on the frontier of a new life. And they responded to the gift of that new life and
its challenges with grit and determination - and love.
Each and every day, each of us is presented with the gift of another day of living and I am 99% sure that
most of us live most ordinary days in a very ordinary way and yet that very day is a gift to each for us from
our gracious God. Imagine waking up each day and unwrapping that most ordinary gift from divinity…
and the ordinary can become extraordinary because it is tinged with divinity.
My continued wish for each of you is that God will bless you with many “ordinary” days filled with the
most extraordinary blessings of God.
Thank you for crossing our paths!
Stay blessed!
Sister Karen Brink
Z
______________________ _____________________
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
TAB LE O F CO NTE NT S
Sr. Monica Steiner 5
BITS & Pieces 6
Year of Celebration Prayer 7
With Fond Love 8
We are the 10
2020 Culture of Giving Recipient Christina Marsico
Benedictine Sisters 11
work
of Pittsburgh, Give Big Pittsburgh 2019 Reaches New Heights 14
continuing 1500 years
A Spiritual Journey to a Deepening of Faith, Peace and Joy 15
of seeking God in
Year of Celebration Honoring 150 Years Since Our Founding 16
Community,
Prayer Turning Down the Volume Knob of Life 18
and Ministry. 19
Hope Village
Through the Years 20
BENEDICTINES is a publication of the
Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, PA A Spiritual Spa for Women 21
for families, friends and benefactors
of the Community.
Sr. Anne Lazar 23
Managing Editor:
Elizabeth Tamburri, Director
Joann Zagorski
Office of Community Advancement
St. Benedict Monastery
3526 Bakerstown Road
Bakerstown, PA 15007
Phone: 724-502-2600
Fax: 724-502-2601
Website: www.osbpgh.org
Email: osbpgh@osbpgh.org
Cover: Prioress Sister Karen Brink
and Arhabbot Douglas R. Nowicki
Sister Karen receiving medallion
created by Brother Mark Floreanini
MAR K YO U R C ALE N DAR
Cover photo by Brian Bogovich February 29 March 21 May 17
Spiritual Spa for Women Festival of Peace Oblate Retreat
Additional photography
by Joann Zagorski
March 15 April 19 August 29
Oblate meeting Oblate meeting 150th Anniversary
Please remember Closing Celebration
the Benedictine Sisters May 2
in your will. Culture of Giving Gala
4 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.org
Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts
Sr. Monica Steiner
By Joann Zagorski
If you stop into the Monastery’s Office
of Community Advancement (OCA)
you will often find Sister Monica Steiner
there with a pen in hand.
Sister works in the OCA office several days each week.
She has beautiful handwriting, so she is repeatedly tapped
to address a seemingly endless amount of correspondence,
from birthday cards to event invitations. Always modest,
she downplays this task as “nothing,” but her willingness to
devote many hours doing it is not taken for granted.
After spending some time with her, you will notice that According to Sister Jeanne Ubinger, every day you could find
Sister is quick to point out the humor in any situation. It’s the two of them in the same two chairs in the sitting area
almost guaranteed that her observations will trigger a few after meals, conversing for hours. Sister Monica treasured
laughs when she is in our office. Sister Marilyn’s authenticity. “With her, I didn’t have to pretend
I was something I wasn’t.” Even after Sister Marilyn had to move
When she is not in the OCA office, Sister Monica helps
to a nearby nursing home, Sister Monica continued to visit,
with other jobs at the monastery, from staffing the front
often three times a week. Sister Marilyn passed in June of 2017
desk to helping price items for sale in the gift shop. She also
at the age of 94, and it is clear Sister Monica still misses her.
volunteers weekly at Holy Sepulcher Parish and attends a
crafting group at St. Andrew Parish. Prayer is a focal point of Sister’s life, of course. Her typical
day starts at 6 am, and after breakfast she spends time in
Her favorite job, however, was being a principal for
prayer in the chapel, which is followed by Mass with the
25 years at St. Joseph School in Lucinda, Clarion County,
Community. After Mass, she has time for OCA jobs and
where she grew up. “It was wonderful!” she says with a
volunteer work, then participates in noon praise, followed
smile. She really misses the 120 or so students there in
by more work if needed, then she goes to prayer in chapel
preschool through sixth grade. “The kids are so cute!”
at 4:00 and vespers at 5:00. After dinner, she enjoys either
she adds wistfully.
reading or playing Rummikub with other community
It seems that the simple and straightforward nature of members, even though she exclaims laughing, “I always lose!”
young children is what Sister Monica appreciated about them.
Sister Monica has two younger brothers; her older brother
She found the same thing here in Bakerstown, with Sister
passed away in September. She also has eight nieces and
Marilyn Fox, when Sister Monica transferred her vows here
nephews. Her mother was a homemaker and her father
about five years ago after St. Joseph’s Monastery closed.
was a laborer. Possibly it’s these down-to-earth roots that
Sister Monica and Sister Marilyn hit it off right away as formed Sister Monica into a modest and unpretentious
they shared meals at the same dining room table. “She was person. Whatever the reason, we appreciate and enjoy all
the neatest old lady I ever met.” Sister Monica recalls. that she quietly brings to the Community and the workplace.
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Visits
BITS
& Pieces
2020 Jubilarians
Terry Rose, sister of Sister Shelly and
Christine Makowski Karen Brink Sister Michelle Farabaugh, came to visit recently.
70 years 55 years
Julie Makowski Judith Ann Criner
70 years 50 years
Corinne Moeller Beth Carrender
65 years 45 years
Evelyn Dettling Michael Mack
65 years 35 years
Employment
The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh are looking for
RNS, LPNs, etc., for shift work in the health wing at
the monastery. If you are interested, please contact Sister Julie Makowski visiting with one
of the Oblates, Diane Small.
Sister Elizabeth Matz, (724) 502-2600.
Class of 1960 Reunion
The Class of 1960 from St. Benedict Academy will celebrate
its 60th class reunion on Saturday, August 29, 2020.
It will take place at the Shannopin Country Club from
11:30am to 3:30pm.
For further details, email: waltonpeg@gmail.com or call
Peggy Walton at 412-508-9370.
Leadership and Life Coaching
Alum News An on-side and online two-year certification
program for women religious beginning May 2020
Janice Lane Palko (‘78) just released
a new novel, Our Lady of the Roses.
Sister Roberta Campbell
It is a romantic comedy set in Rome (724) 716-9687
and is a spinoff from her first novel, rcampbell4530@gmail.com
St. Anne’s Day.
At a recent class reunion, the SBA Class of 1963 made a generous donation saying
“We are grateful for our years at the Academy!”
6 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.org
Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts
Year of
Celebration
Prayer
Sister Rosalyn Soller, OSB
August 2019
Blessed by God both in grace and in name, Holy Father Remaining Year of Celebration Events
Benedict, tender Mother Scholastica, twins both by birth
and by holiness of life, you have gifted us, your followers, March 21, 2020
with the twin gifts of community life and faithful prayer.
We celebrate today, with immense gratitude to God for Festival of Peace:
150 years of living with these twin blessings. Celebrating Unity in Diversity
Tradition tells us that before his death, St. Benedict saw St. Benedict Monastery
3526 Bakerstown Road
in a vision the whole world “under a single ray of light.”
Open to Guests
All of the heavens were opened to him. And I would like 1:00 to 4:00 pm
to think that in the massive galaxy, only 150 years ago,
1:15 Arrival
a single, tiny star began to shine a little brighter. And in
1:30 Presentation Unity in Diversity
that place where they name the stars, this star was named
BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF PITTSBURGH. The scriptures 2:30 Cultural Displays and Information booths will be
located in the common area of the monastery.
even record, “The stars shone in their watches and when
Invitees will be encouraged to visit each display.
God called, they said, ‘HERE WE ARE’ and they shone with
Discussions will occur through-out the afternoon
gladness for God who made them.” (Baruch 4)
Light refreshments will be available
And that star-led community continued its fulsome Music for enjoyment all afternoon
response as it moved through its foundation years of 3:30 Solemn Vespers in honor of Saint Benedict
material scarcity but spiritual abundance. And the star will begin – everyone is invited to attend
shone brightly! Then came its busy years of rapid growth
and sweet success (which we assumed would be forever) May 2, 2020
and the star shone brightly. Then came a darker time of
change…diminishment and questioning…painful years.
Culture of Giving Gala
And yet the star shone brightly. Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at The Priory
2020 Culture of Giving Recipient: Christina Marsico
And today, still led by the star, our call must be to an
ever-deeper faith when only the searching heart can unveil August 29, 2020
God’s blessings in these years bright with promise.
Closing Celebration
This is our prayer. Spoken now in the enlightened and
St. Benedict Monastery
deeper faith of 150 years, that our star may continue to Open House
shine on all of us, giving us fresh vision and sure hope, High Vesper Service
as it assumes its place in the galaxy of the heavens. Celebrant: Sister Karen R Brink, Prioress
Food and music stations throughout the campus
See! In the heavens, our star, writ large:
That in all things, God may be glorified!
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
LOV With Fond
E
By Elizabeth Tamburri
When Sister Judith Ann Criner, Keeper of the Archives,
was asked what she considered the pivotal moment in
history or the true, “what defines us from other Benedictine
Sisters” influence was, Sister replied without hesitation,
“Adelgunda Feldmann.” Mother Adelgunda’s journey began
‘‘ We are Steel Country,” Sister Judith Ann
said, “and with that, Mother Adelgunda
gave us a foundation of great strength.”
in Europe in the mid-1800s and “ended” when Mother
Adelgunda collapsed in the Sister’s chapel on Perrysville
Avenue. Sister Judith Ann’s account of Mother Adelgunda,
With Fond Love, was published some years ago. A recent
second publication is to be forwarded as a “thank you” monastery where she remained. Despite that, Mother Adelgunda
to guest speakers during November’s 150 Years of Giving gave us everything we needed. The magnitude of the pain
Thanks event at the monastery. she endured though is difficult to comprehend.”
As our prioress for 31 years, she was never able to hold Reading Sister Judith Ann’s account it is evident that Mother
on to anything but her faith and Benedictine commitment. Adelgunda was indeed one of the original “Women of Steel.”
She lost 34 of the original 50 Sisters to disease, other Her story began in the 1800s amid a fight to escape religious
choices, other ministries – even her own nieces left the persecution. The sons of Johannes and Barbara nee Rues
8 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.org
Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts
Feldmann, took their sister Katharine who
was 16 and left what was then Prussia for
the United States. Unfortunately, though not
uncommon, little documentation about those
first years in America can be found. There
are some references that indicate Katharine
lived in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania until
the age of 21 when she entered St. Joseph
Monastery in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Upon
entering Katherine became “Schwester
(Sister) Adelgunda Feldmann.”
The story that follows is, at first hearing,
an adventurous odyssey that includes life on
the Pennsylvania frontier, the establishment
and success of ministry in mountain regions
and newly formed cities, a long-lived life that
finally settled into a newspaper article about
Adelgunda quietly crocheting. The truth was
far less serene.
Life on the frontier was more difficult than
that portrayed on Little House on the Prairie.
Starvation, disease, rats and other rodents,
frigid temperatures in the winter with little or
no heat, blinding snowstorms without boots or
coats, and droughts, snakes, bear and cougar in
the summer; those were the things of reality for
the Sisters of St. Joseph Convent in the 1800s.
When Sister Adelgunda was assigned the important task Sister Adelgunda (first prioress of a new Community), had
of opening a mission in Johnstown, she and two other sisters to move the monastery to Allegheny City, a small industrial
drove a wagon 80 miles along a steep, rugged mountain pass— municipality across the river from Pittsburgh. In the late
a pass well known for robberies, broken wheels, and still- 1800s, Pittsburgh was an industrial center, a city consumed
hiding civil war deserters. When the Sisters finally arrived in by factory soot and smoke that blew for miles in every
Johnstown, they weren’t greeted warmly nor were they given direction. Corruption was rampant; the poor were incredibly
lodging in a warm building. For a time, they lived in the local
poor and the rich lived like kings and queens. At no time
hotel among the miners, the diseased, the rugged settlers of
did Mother Adelgunda have the money needed to create a
the mountain.
comfortable life for her Sisters, but somehow her light led the
Within several years – years in which many of her sisters way. There was one brief time of reprieve in Allegheny City
were lost to tuberculosis and the brutality of their life – after the Sisters acquired one of Charles Painter’s mansions.
Continued on page 12
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Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
2020 CULTURE OF GIVING RECIPIENT Christina Marsico
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Christina Marsico’s
goal was to eventually graduate college and
leave for a bigger city, land the dream job in the
corporate world and volunteer as a way of giving
back to the community.
While working on a degree in Marketing at Duquesne
University, Christina coordinated the Strong Women,
Strong Girls and Best Buddies programs for 2 years. While
organizing and planning events, Christina met and worked
with Vivien Luk, who sat on the board of Strong Women,
Strong Girls. Christina looked up to Vivien as a mentor
and took the opportunity to learn from her.
After graduating, Christina chose to stay in Pittsburgh to
be with family and started working for a start-up company
in Human Resources. She and Vivien stayed in contact and
occasionally met over coffee. In 2012, Christina received a
call from Vivien, now the Executive Director of an organization
called WORK and when Vivien asked her to volunteer for an
upcoming fundraiser she quickly said “yes.” From that single
phone call, her life changed.
After that first event Christina continued volunteering
for another three years. She planned fundraising events and
lent her support whenever needed. The world she became a
part of opened her eyes to a new way of seeing and her heart,
to believing. She fell in love with the WORK model and the
leadership team, and when a development position opened,
she immediately interviewed for it.
Christina has been with WORK for four years as the
Director of Engagement and manages fundraising. It isn’t
Christina Marsico easy, though she makes it seem so. And it isn’t without
WORK emotional hardship – the families the program works on
Director of Engagement
behalf of – she knows them all – as well as the country, Haiti.
Christina is there at least once a month and sees first-hand
what life is like for a family of six trying to live on just $29 per
Continued on page 12
10 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.orgMonastic Women with Discerning Hearts
By Elizabeth Tamburri
We envision a world where poverty doesn’t exist. WO R K V I S I O N
Founded by Ian Rosenberger in 2010 in the wake of the to be feared or to be pitied); and the 1:1 Campaign where
Haiti earthquake, WORK focuses its attention of the community an individual in the States can sponsor a family member in
of Menelas, with a population of 10,000, and the adjacent Haiti (sponsorship levels range from $5/month to the full
largest open landfill in the country. It is on the landfill that $121/month). One hundred percent of the sponsorship funds
some 2,000 individuals live, approximately 300 of whom support wrap-around services provided to WORK families.
are children. To help support their families, the children of
THREAD, the sister organization to WORK with offices
the landfill collect plastic dropped on the fill daily.
in Pittsburgh, takes plastic from Haiti and turns it into
As WORK provides wrap-around services to families, they useable products.
are also working to place all 300 kids from the landfill into
To date, the organization has grown from serving one
school so they no longer collect and can move their families.
family in 2012 to serving 73 families. Every family receives
These wrap-around services include open access to medical
open access to medical care, 100% of the children are in
care, education assistance, job training, and prep for the
school or enrolled in an alternative education service and
adults. Education costs for children are $250 per child – a cost
86% of families have at least one head of household in a
exorbitant for families with an income of $23/month. The
dignified job.
unemployment rate is about 96% in the community and most
of adults have dropped out of school.
WORK fundraising events include an annual gala,
The Blackjack Spectacular, at The Priory Hotel; Run Across
Haiti (40 runners from America, Canada, and Haiti each
raise $5,000 and run 200 miles across Haiti in eight days
to showcase Haiti’s beauty and show that it’s not a place
WORK focuses its attention of the
community of Menelas, Haiti
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With Fond Love Continued from page 9 Christina Marsico Continued from page 10
Unfortunately, that ended with a devastating fire, where, month. The donor base Christina works with, “we develop
according to the Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph, “Sisters relationships rather than one time donors.” Is constantly
were running for their lives.” From there Mother growing. “We have built the work around the importance
of showing up, standing alongside our families until they
Adelgunda moved the Community to Perrysville
no longer need us and knowing if everyone steps up to help
Avenue. The woman who had seen the turn of a
just one person, we can all make a difference. We truly work
century, the industrial development of a region, together as a family to get the job done.” That is the other
the formation of a Community of Sisters, served as thing about Christina – she never says “I.” It is always “we.”
Prioress for 31 years before she was given permission
The families Christina works with in Haiti are families
to “rest” by Bishop Canevin.
who live in a community called Menelas (population
Mother Adelguna’s remaining years were spent 10,000) which also encompasses the largest open landfill
in service to the Community within the walls of the in the country. Two thousand people live on the landfill,
300 of whom are children who collect plastic from the
monastery. For a period, Sister Adelgunda was the
landfill for food for their families and to put themselves
monastic treasurer, assistant novice director and
through school.
sub prioress. When she could no longer physically
“contribute,” she, as Sister Judith Ann writes, The organization has grown from providing service
to one family in 2012 to 73 families. All families receive
“found ways to continue to care for the needs of
open access to medical care, all the children are in school
children, her Sisters, and her God – she made and
or enrolled in an alternative education service and 86%
repaired rosaries and also crocheted and made of the families have at least one head of household in a
baby stockings. When those gifts became too much, dignified job. Such accomplishments require substantial
Mother Adelgunda prayed.” financial support. To generate that support, Christina
manages and plans several events with the goal of
Archived letters and notes portray a woman of generating resources that aid families in becoming
humor, love and genuine humility (on one occasion self-sustaining.
she knelt before her “daughter-sisters” and asked for
Christina lives in Mt. Lebanon and works in
forgiveness for having been too lighthearted/frivolous
Homewood, sharing an office with a sister company
earlier in the day.) Mother Adelgunda’s Tirocinium to WORK called THREAD. Christina’s family includes
Benedictinum – a beautifully handwritten and bound her mother, Laurie Marsico and her step-father, Andy
book of page after handwritten page of Latin sayings Bonneau, her father, Robert Marsico, her sister, Angelica
and bits of advice for the Religious to help them remain Marsico and her brother-in-law, Chris Hixenbaugh.
humble, honest, pious – is still with the Sisters. But the
When asked, “What is something about Haiti that
mystery of Mother Adelgunda is illusive. will always stay with you?” without hesitation Christina
said, “The people. It’s the sense of community and strong
Perhaps as Adelgunda loaded those supplies into
family values that resonates with me. No one wants a
the wagon, navigated that rugged path through the
hand-out. We all want to be able to take care of ourselves
mountains...city blocks, she somehow knew that and our family. I feel lucky to be a part of this work and
150 years later, her daughters would still be lighting I hope what I’m doing today can inspire and impact
the way. others in the same way I’ve been impacted by Haiti.”
12 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.orgMonastic Women with Discerning Hearts
Tania
Grubbs
Music of the Culture of Giving Gala
When the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh were living Tania, what inspires you?
on Cedar Ave. in – what was then known as Allegheny City So many things inspire me, but I am really inspired by
– the birth of jazz was occurring in Pittsburgh. Beginning the listener. I often say that without a listening audience
with Earl Hines Pittsburgh became the birthplace of many it is difficult to share the hard work we put into all the
notable jazz musicians. As the Community of Sisters grew in preparation in making great music.
number and grew in Ministries and molded the better part of
humanity, appreciation for the wonder of jazz also grew and Artistically speaking…at the end of the night –
gave rise to a new culture of music. Both became important when the music is over ….is there only silence…
to the history and fabric of what is Pittsburgh today. is the music still going on inside?
It is very difficult to unwind after a night of music making.
The theme for each Culture of Giving Gala has been chosen
I am always replaying things inside my head especially after
from a pool of work by extraordinary jazz musicians and/or
a concert. I ask myself if the audience enjoyed the concert,
composers from an era in the history of the Sisters. Her/his
should I have done this tune or another. I am also so grateful
picture is on the cover of the program and highlighted through
to have spent the evening in song, but it does take a great
the night are compositions of note. Bringing the era and
deal of time to relax. I am always thinking and working on
music to life are the musicians of the gala. To date we have
ways to improve.
been fortunate to have some of Pittsburgh’s most notable
musicians arranged by Vocalist, Tania Grubbs. What makes a “great” night of music?
After singing at the first gala, Tania came to St. Benedict Every time I get an opportunity to perform. The best
Monastery in Gibsonia with a pianist and spent a Sunday nights are when everything goes so smoothly, and everyone
afternoon singing for the Sisters. Tania, originally from Salem, comes away feeling great including the musicians and
Ohio, studied music at Youngstown University. In addition to audience… everyone.
singing in many venues including featured vocalist with the
What part, if any, does spirituality play in music?
Florida Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and
Civic Light Opera to name only a few, Tanis is co-director of I get a little nervous before every concert and I try to make
music at The Fairmont in Pittsburgh. Tania and her husband, sure I am not rushed so I can give myself some space to deep
Jeff Grubbs – a jazz Bass player as well as a Bass musician with breath, focus and in a sense meditate on the “what is to
the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, have three children and come.” I often say a little prayer always helps. So when you
live in Pittsburgh. think about it, spirituality is in every aspect of music.
Tania recently released a CD, Live at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar. She can also be found on Facebook
Find us on Facebook 13Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Give Big Pittsburgh 2019
Reaches New Heights
Once again, we are happy to report that our 2019 Day of Giving campaign was
a great success and benefit for the Sisters due to your ongoing support.
Our grand total for this campaign put us in the number five spot of 379 nonprofit
organizations who participated in Give Big Pittsburgh on December 3 this year, up from
the number six spot last year. The number of individual donors went from 250 last year to
267 this year. We gained several new donors and re-engaged several lapsed donors which
is always important.
And thanks to a handful of benefactors who are also night-owls, we won a $500 prize
for the “Early Bird” category—the most amount raised from midnight to 2 am!
The Sisters are always humbled by the magnitude of generosity shown during Give Big
Pittsburgh. For each and every donation, regardless of size, we are extremely grateful that
you share your blessings with us! Thank you again!
14 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.orgMonastic Women with Discerning Hearts
Faith,
A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO A DEEPENING OF
Peace
and Joy
Becoming a Benedictine Oblate
‘‘
By Norma and Don Todorowski
On October 18, 2019, Don and I made our promise to be
part of the Benedictine community that believes in living Our journey began over a year ago
the Gospel, being a voice for the impoverished and those
facing isolation and segregation, and sharing the charisms when I learned that we could be a
of hospitality and welcoming: in other words, being Jesus
part of the community that I had
Christ to all whom we encounter.
witnessed in action while attending
Our journey began over a year ago when I learned that
we could be a part of the community that I had witnessed in St. Benedict Academy as a student.
action while attending St. Benedict Academy as a student.
Don and I share the same religious and Catholic beliefs and
are active members of our church, so I asked him to join me.
Without hesitation, his answer was “yes.”
Over the next year we were guided and instructed by This deepened spiritual connection in our marriage, as well
Sister Elizabeth Matz in learning and understanding the as the support of the Sisters and fellow Oblates on October
role of St. Benedict. That year deepened our faith and 18, 2019, gave us an overwhelming sense of excitement, joy
spirituality. The year of learning also sent us in a direction and determination to emanate and exemplify the role of
that could only have been guided by the Holy Spirit to St. Benedict in our everyday lives and help change the world
put the role in action. It has been life-changing and has one person at a time. The Lord knows when to open the
deepened our bond of marriage in a most spiritually door for our next calling, and as Sister Lizz once said to us,
intimate way, such as praying the shorter version of the “In God’s time, and the time is now!” Is God calling you?
Liturgy of the Hours together every day. Is your time now?
Find us on Facebook 15Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Year of Celebration Honoring 150 Years Since Our Founding
O P E N I N G C E LE B R ATI O N – AU G U ST 2 5
2 3
1
9
4
1 Sister Sue Fazzini leads procession
2 Sister Bridget Riley
3 John Lally
4 Sister Karen Brink (right) with
8
Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie, OSB,
president of the Federation of
5 Saint Scholastica
5 Sister Antoinette Severin, SCN,
and Regina Boerio
6 Father Maximillian Maxwell, OSB
7 Sister Roberta Campbell
8 Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, OSB
7 9 Sister Michael Mack
6
Photography Brian Bogovich
16 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.orgMonastic Women with Discerning Hearts
G IVI N G THAN KS E VE NT – N OVE M B E R 17
3
1 2
4
8
5
1 Jim Finn with Sister Dolores Conley
2 Sister Frances Briseño, prioress of the
Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, Phyllis Hunt,
Sister Benita DeMatteis
3 Sister Mary David Lecker
6
4 Eugene and Nancy Mash
5 Victor Boerio and Sister Elizabeth Matz
6 Sister Michelle Farabaugh
7
7 Sister Shelly Farabaugh
8 Sister Evelyn Dettling dressed as Mother
Adelgunda Feldman, founding prioress
(shown in painting)
Find us on Facebook 17Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Turning
Down the
Volume
Knob of
Life
Title taken from the
The Kite Runner,
Khaled Hosseini
“Everyone needs a wonderful circle of friends,” Sister Many of the Sisters – just like Sister Judith – are the single
Judith Nero said while reflecting on the last few years. remaining members of their families. Since the community
“With the grace of God, and our friends, we have been able began, not only have the Sisters lost family members,
to manage many things with relative peace of mind.” but in 150 years they have also had to say goodbye to
243 of their Community Sisters they lived with for most
Content with the quiet of these days, Sister spoke about
of their lives, shared laughter, shared poverty, huddled in
another time – when most of the days for most of the
the cold and carried on through emergencies with Sisters
Sisters were filled with tight schedules and places to be.
they cared for, helped to clothe and feed, nurtured through
“At the monastery in Ross Township, with so many Sisters
living there (almost 200 at one time) and with almost disease, old age, and sorrows.
everyone working, we had to work at quiet.” Yet, the Sisters face the look of death with some measure
Sister Judith’s days feel quieter than they used to. of celebration. Each seems to recognize that in the passing
Like many of the Sisters, Sister Judith recently had to say of life, there is also a return home. That as witnesses to such
goodbye to the last remaining person in her family, her a miracle – truly as miraculous as birth – we can indeed
sister. “I miss Jean, but she had so much to deal with and find comfort in knowing that a soul precious to us has
life was becoming so difficult for her.” Sister Judith had the been released from the bindings of hardship (the flight and
difficult task of going through Jean’s belongings—years freedom of a soul). Our Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
of work created during her career, photos of times long not only teach us how to live life with spiritual abundance,
passed, clothing and all the keepsakes that are gathered but also guide us to see death as a true passing where one
through life. To help, she enlisted the friends she and Jean continues to grow, continues to live – only now, in the arms
shared. “We were blessed with such wonderful friends.” of God.
18 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.orgSister Donna Wojtyna, Sister Ritah and Hugh O’Donnell
Hope
meet at St. Benedict Monastery to discuss projects at Hope Village.
Village
By Elizabeth Tamburri
In 2014, the problem of abandoned women,
children, the elderly, infirm and orphans
became a big enough problem in a Ugandan
village that one family decided to gather the
local resources and form a new village, called
HOPE. Selina and her mother began inviting
the abandoned individuals to the new village
– a safe place where trades could be learned,
problems could find solutions, and a home
for orphans could be found.
Hope Village was established, and two buildings were He asked Sister if she would be able to help sell the hand-made
built to protect villagers from inclement weather. Hugh items of the women to help support building things such as
O’Donnell, a faculty member at the University of Notre Dame, bathroom facilities, extra rooms, roofing, and water wells.
met Sister Ritah (Selina’s sister) while she was attending
After helping Hope Village for two years through the sale of
school there. Sister Ritah invited Hugh to Uganda to meet
their handiwork, Sister Donna is moving the ministry forward
the people of Hope Village.
and into the hands of interested volunteers at the blended parish
When Hugh – a dear friend of Sister Donna Wojtyna – of St. Ursula in Allison Park and St. Mary of the Assumption in
returned to the United States, he contacted Sister Donna Glenshaw. The new hope is to broaden the awareness of those
and told her about Hope Village and the people living there. in need worldwide and to extend the reach of those ready to help.
Find us on Facebook 19Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Through the Years
Sister Rosalyn Soller teaching
Sister Michelle Farabaugh Sister Elizabeth Matz
Class of 1953 also 1985 Class of 1948
Sister Nancy Booth Sister Susanne Chenot
1979 Class of 1956
Doorframe Girls
Sister Corinne Moeller Sister Bridget Reilly
Class of 1954 1985
Sister Audrey Quinn Sister Dolores Conley
1985 1961
Basketball Team 1963
20Monastic Women with Discerning Hearts
REFLECTING THE SACRED
A Spiritual Spa
February 29, 2020
10 am – 3 pm
for Women
Saint Benedict Monastery
RSVP by February 12
Sister Shelly Farabaugh
724-502-2591
SCHEDULE
9:45 am Arrival
The Glory of God is 10:00 am
10:30 am
Prayer
Large group presentation
Each Woman Fully Alive 11:00 am Small group reflection
11:45 am Break
Come with a friend. 12:00 pm Lunch
Reflect on the gifts God has entrusted to 1:00 pm Large group presentation
each of us to bring God’s reign among us. 1:30 pm Small group reflection and activity
Presented by the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh. 2:45 Closing and blessing
Find us on Facebook 21Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
The Sisters
decorate annually
during the
third week
of Advent
Sister Elizabeth Matz
Sister Mary James Dippold
Sister Donna Wojtyna
Sister Rose Budicky, Christine Perrin, Sister Michael Mack
Sister Dolores Conley and Sister Lucille Snyder
22 Find us on the Web at www.osbpgh.orgMonastic Women with Discerning Hearts
S P OTLIG HT
Sr. Anne Lazar
Vilma Lazar was a little girl living with her family in her 30 years as a first-grade teacher – only one year was spent
Pittsburgh’s northside when she attended school at St. Boniface. teaching second grade. “Children that age just speak honestly.
“My parents were from Austria. My father had gone to college There isn’t any pretense. They’re wonderful.” Sister Anne
there and became a Cooper (barrel maker) in America. Family loved every minute of teaching, and considering how playful
was everything to my mother and father. They spoke German Sister can be, those little ones loved Sister Anne as well.
to each other and definitely spoke German any time they After retiring from teaching, Sister Anne spent some years
didn’t want us to know what they were talking about. They with home pastoral visitation services, but today, she is
didn’t teach us German, though. Speaking German, being retired “for good!”
German, at that time wasn’t a very good thing.” In fifth
Her days are filled with spiritual reading (currently
grade Vilma mentioned to her parents that she wanted to the Life of St. Benedict), word search challenges, murder
become a Sister, like the Benedictines who taught her. The mystery novels, games of Rummy, Solitaire, Mah Jong and
second youngest of 10 children, her parents told her it was a very special prayer life. Sister Anne can often be found
fine, they just wanted her “to be happy.” alone in the chapel, “It is so important to be faithful to
Vilma was a senior in high school at St. Benedict Academy prayer. Each day I pray for the community, the church, the
many people in need, even me.” Other Sisters describe her
when she moved into the monastery. That was in 1950. Her
as “a fun-loving, kind, thoughtful and lovely woman,” and
five brothers had all made it back from the war, though her
for many, she is the never-empty source of gentle humor,
father had passed some years before. “Leaving home was
with a constant boost for the spirit.
hard at first. I was homesick for Sunday dinners at six o’clock
and listening to Bishop Sheen on the radio. But I also knew “You know, the doctor took my hearing aids to check
I was where I was supposed to be.” on them. I don’t know, but I think I’m doing okay without
them. ” Sister Anne said laughing as she walked away.
Sister Anne (Vilma having taken her mother’s name) was
19 when she received her first teaching assignment. There were Next year Sister Anne will celebrate her 70th year as a
60 first graders in her class. Smiling Sister Anne spoke about Benedictine Sister of Pittsburgh.
Find us on Facebook 23NON PROFIT
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LIVE MORE ABUNDANTLY
Benedictine Sisters Experience Benedictine
of Pittsburgh FESTIVAL OF PEACE EVENT Monastic Community
Saturday March 21, 2020
CELEBRATING
150
St. Benedict Monastery
Benedictine Sisters
GALA
of Pittsburgh
Years
Saturday, May 2, 2020 www.osbpgh.org
The Priory 3526 Bakerstown Road,
Bakerstown, PA 15007
CLOSING EVENT info@osbpgh.org
(724) 502-2605
of Saturday, August 29, 2020
Sister Karen Brink, OSB
MINISTRY St. Benedict Monastery
U.I.O.G.D.
– Ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus! –
‘That in all things GOD may be glorified’.You can also read
