Latest news with #BenedictineSistersofErie
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erie community holds vigil to advocate for peace in Gaza
The conflict between Israel and Palestine dates back to the end of the 19th century and still continues to this day. Wednesday night, a Jewish couple was gunned down outside a Jewish museum in Washington D.C., and this comes as the United Nations Humanitarian Chief reports 14,000 babies could die in Gaza in the next 48 hours if aid does not reach them in time. Brodway comes to Erie to raise money for families in crisis On Thursday, about 30 people gathered in front of the Erie Federal Courthouse for a vigil to denounce that violence and pray for peace. 'I think the issue today is that we are truly in a life and death moment for about 14,000 children in Gaza. The UN is warning us that they have days to live without any food and medicine, and we just can't really go on with our daily business as that's at stake right now,' said Jaqueline Sanchez-Small with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. The group also took time to pray for the couple who died in the museum shooting, which one Benedictine Sister said is a horrendous act of violence and hatred. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I had an opportunity to visit Gaza in the West Bank, and I saw with my own eyes the horrible things that were happening. This was years ago, before things have escalated to what we see today, and it is just horrible. It is mass killings of tens and tens of thousands of people,' said Reverend Todd Davis, Cambridge United Methodist Church. Davis said most Americans are unaware of the tragedy going on in Gaza, calling it the largest prison in the world, and those in attendance at the vigil agree that a ceasefire is necessary. 'There has to be a ceasefire. There has to be a ceasefire, aid has to go in, it should be administered by the international community. It's human rights, basic human rights,' said Anne McCarthy with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. Owners cut the ribbon on new west Erie restaurant, Born & Braised Even through the rainy weather, McCarthy said they do what they can to raise their voices against suffering and she urges people to reach out to their government representatives to advocate for peace. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Benedictine Sisters celebrate 45 years of Good Friday pilgrimage, remember immigrants
On this Good Friday, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie remembered the suffering and passion of Jesus Christ. Their goal was to bring tranquility and hope to immigrants who are living in fear of deportation or of separation from family. Shawn Giles' loved ones inviting public to light up the town red for fallen firefighters It was a day to reflect, slow down, and focus on the suffering of Jesus Christ. The Benedictines for Peace marked their 45th year of their Good Friday pilgrimage. The Benedictines, along with other concerned individuals, gathered to bring awareness to not only Jesus' journey but also those who are suffering in today's society. This year, their theme was 'The way of the cross; the way of the migrant.' 'We're really trying to open our eyes and our hearts to the suffering of immigrants nationally, but also those living in fear in our own communities,' said Anne McCarthy, coordinator for Benedictines for Peace. Longtime Erie jeweler Les Crago Jewelers 'retiring' their business after 75 years The pilgrimage started at St. Peter Cathedral, where the Benedictines and Bishop Lawrence Persico led a ceremony with song and reenactment. Then they began their silent walk. Organizers chose seven locations in downtown Erie to stop and pray that have a significant connection to their theme. One location was at Emmaus Grove. 'We're stopping at St. Benedicine Education Center, who work with some of our community partners that are supporting refugees whose funding has suddenly been cut,' McCarthy explained. 'We're stopping at Gannon, where six students where suddenly their visas revoked for no reason.' McCarthy said that even after 45 years, they continue to have an overwhelming amount of support from the community. Gannon students file lawsuit over revoked visas, terminated records 'Let it break into our hearts and hopefully let it change our actions so that we can do what we can to protect them and advocate for them and really change our society,' she went on to say. Participants were then invited to the Mount Saint Benedict for a Good Friday service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I realized I'm not alone' – 13th annual Women of Word performance provides catharsis for trauma victims
Words can be powerful, and Monday night some local poets tested just how powerful their words could be. Dozens of community members gathered at Basement Transmissions on West 11th Street for the 13th annual Women of Word performance — An event that seeks to explore mental health and trauma through art. 'Mine started after I escaped. After I was out of my domestic violence situation, I started writing, and I was shoving them under a bed in a box, and my 17-year-old son at the time pulled them out and said, 'Mom, you could be helping people with these,'' said Thasia Anne Lunger, director, producer and performer. Soon after, Lunger got a job telling her story through poetry at SafeNet Erie for eight years. Benedictine Sisters of Erie hold Take Back the Site vigil for victim of attempted robbery Eventually, Women of Word was born — A performance where local poets can tell their own stories of issues from drug abuse to mental illness. 'Someone out there is going through it and thinking they're alone, and that's where I was. I thought, 'I'm the only one stupid enough to be in this situation and not get out of it,' but after I got out and after I started living the world and seeing what happens at SafeNet, I realized I'm not alone,' said Lunger. The stage at Basement Transmissions is usually a place for artists and bands and acting, but Monday night people came to tell their stories and convey important messages. 'I owe it to my larger community, now that I'm safe, to talk about what I went through so that people who are still living in that can maybe latch on to some bit of hope, to help get through their own experience,' said Elyse Palmer, a poet. McDowell students save lives by participating in CBB blood drive Palmer and seven other poets voiced their poetry on the stage, with many delivering their own stories that they wrote themselves. Whether you're dealing with grief, mental illness, addiction or abuse, the cast members said you are not alone. And if you or anyone you know is dealing with something right now, contact one of the many organizations who are willing to help: Veteran's Medical Center: Physical and Mental Health – 814-868-8661 SafeNet Women's Shelter Information: 814-455-1774 Safe Journey Women's Shelter: 814-438-2675 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Safe Harbor Wellness Center: Mental Health: 814-838-3401 Crisis Intervention: 814-456-2014 Women's Care Center: 814-868-4050 Saint Patrick's Haven Men's Shelter: 814-454-7219 City Mission Grace House: Women's Shelter: 814-452-4421 x402 City Mission Samaritan Care: Men's Shelter: 814-452-4421 x239 Crime Victim Center of Erie: 814-455-9515 Esper Treatment Center: 814-459-0817 Erie Outpatient Treatment Center: 814-456-2203 Drug Rehab Erie PA: 814-201-7588 Drug Rehab Centers Erie PA: 814-651-9437 White Pine Center for Healing: 814-461-5617 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Benedictine Sisters of Erie hold Take Back the Site vigil for victim of attempted robbery
Community members along with area nuns united Monday evening to reclaim the site of violence. A Take Back the Site vigil was held by the Benedictine Sisters of Erie at the 1800 block of Fairmont Parkway. Attempted robbery led to Fairmount Parkway fatal shooting: Erie police On Friday, January 17, 21-year-old Canyon McGarvey of Erie was shot in the head outside a vehicle — He was pronounced dead the following Sunday. Erie police have arrested four suspects in connection to that shooting, including 18-year-old Tra-Varius Ramsey, who police allege shot McGarvey during a drug deal. Fourth suspect turns themselves in for Fairmount Pkwy. homicide 'It's also important just to keep remembering that this kind of violence is not a normal state of affairs. So, it really requires us to gather in prayer, and to try to turn our hearts to God, and change the acceptance of violence,' said Jacqueline Sanchez-Small, with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. McGarvey's shooting is the City of Erie's second homicide of 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
Take Back the Site Vigil held for victim of Erie's first homicide of 2025
The bitter cold didn't stop a Take Back the Site Vigil Monday evening. The vigil, that was organized by the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, took place in the 900 block of West 19th Street. Victim of Erie's first homicide of 2025 identified It's the site where 20-year-old Jalea Turner was fatally shot while leaving a New Year's Eve party making her the city's first homicide of 2025. Turner's family and friends braved the cold to pray for anyone harmed by violence. Suspect arrested in connection to New Year's Day homicide 'I was just devastated. I couldn't believe it. I was hoping that it wasn't my sister. I was hoping that what they were saying wasn't true. I was hoping that it was a dream. We just literally all brought New Year's in with each other so it was like literally twenty minutes after that that we got the call saying that she was shot,' said Kreousha Thompson, sister of Jalea Turner. After several weeks in hiding, 27-year-old Shakeyah Barnes was charged with criminal homicide in Turner's murder. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
