Sr. Simone Campbell is hitting the road, visiting bookstores to listen to people’s stories and discover where they are finding hope in these challenging times. Each day, she shares a heartfelt "postcard" capturing the voices, struggles, and aspirations of those she meets, offering a glimpse into the power of connection and community.
Happy Sunday! AND a day off for our bookstore events. We have a long-ish drive ahead of us from Erie to Ann Arbor MI, but we are going to take it easy and enjoy the beauty along the way.
Yesterday we drove though part of New York and Northwest PA. The beauty of the mountains and the woods was breath taking at times. But along the way Ben and I continued to reflect on the experience in Williamsport. It seems that folks are content in their area and maybe “Hunger for Hope” doesn’t apply when there is community connections and comfortable focus. We pondered this as we drove.
We got to Erie’s Werner Bookstores and found a confusion of expectations. Ben and I had advertised it as a conversation, but the bookstore slotted it into a “book signing” event. We don’t quite know where the glitch happened, but it all worked out. We started as a book signing and then morphed into a conversation as more people came in.
What we learned was that many of the participants were visitors to the area: a couple from Texas and others who had been at the Benedictine monastery for a workshop and still others who were related to the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of Mercy. But we did learn a bit about Erie and the engagement that is alive. The Sisters of St. Joseph talked about their work of “taking back the street” and doing a ministry of prayer at the sight of a murder. Their work at healing the community was quite touching.
One of the local media outlets, the Erie Reader, highlights 40 new leaders under 40 each year—young individuals making significant changes in the community. This group is a beacon of hope. Urban farmers, for instance, are quietly revolutionizing our food landscape. They’ve established a pay-as-you-can fresh produce stand that moves around town, supported by local and county farmers. This initiative is a testament to the power of community and innovation.
Despite the challenges, there’s a palpable sense of optimism. The community gardens, bicycle outreach programs, and food pantries are just a few examples of how our town is coming together. Monthly peace walks, often attended by diverse groups including refugees, further illustrate our collective commitment to unity and support.
However, there’s a noticeable gap in youth involvement. Colleges and universities in the area seem disconnected from community initiatives. It’s a missed opportunity, but there’s potential for greater engagement. They described a need to tap into the energy and ideas of our young people, who are already doing incredible things, often unnoticed.
A poignant moment was shared about an urban garden that was vandalized. The community’s response was overwhelming, with more plants and volunteers showing up to replant than initially involved. It served as a collective resilience is a powerful reminder of the Erie community’s strength.
In closing, I shared a poem about the miracle of loaves and fish, emphasizing the power of sharing and community. It’s a fitting metaphor for our times—blessed and broken, we are enough. Let’s continue to build on this foundation of hope and connection.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Next stop: Ann Arbor, followed by Flint and beyond. Stay curious and keep the sacred gossip of discovery alive.
