Saint Raphael Parish's
3rd annual Benedictine Spirituality DAY
Sr. Julia Upton, RSM
"Glorifying God by Our Lives"
Saturday, September 12, 2026 • 9:30 a.m.
103 Walker Street, Manchester, N.H.
9:30 a.m. coffee/social • 10:30 a.m. presentation
A light lunch in the parish rectory to follow
To register for this event, please contact the parish office at 603-623-2604
or email srp@st-raphael-parish.org
Saint Raphael Parish is pleased to welcome Sr. Julia Upton, RSM, a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and an Oblate of Mount Saviour Monastery in Elmira, NY as its speaker for its third annual Benedictine Spirituality Day. We invite you to join us for a morning presentation and reflection as she speaks to our community on Glorifying God by Our Lives.
Following the presentation, there will be time for Q&A and a brief introduction to the lay organization known as Benedictine Oblates.
All are welcome to attend this presentation, which will take place in the church at the parish complex at 103 Walker Street on the west side of Manchester. Immediately following, a light lunch will be available in the parish rectory.
About Sr. Julia Upton, RSM
Sr. Julia Upton, RSM, is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and an Oblate of Mount Saviour Monastery (Elmira, NY). She holds a doctorate in Theology from Fordham University and prior to retirement was Distinguished Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at St. John’s University (NY), where she taught for 40 years. During those years she also served as a university administrator for 20 years including those as University Provost from 2000 to 2012.
Her most recent book, Worship in Spirit and Truth: The Life and Legacy of H. A Reinhold, was published by Liturgical Press (2009). Other works include A Time for Embracing; Reclaiming Reconciliation (Liturgical Press, 1999) and A Church for the Next Generation: Sacraments in Transition (Liturgical Press, 1990). Her current research is on the contributions of “Catholic Worker Artist” Adé Bethune to the liturgical life of the Church, currently titled The Work and Works of Mercy: Learning from Adé Bethune.
What is a Benedictine Oblate?
Oblates of Saint Benedict are Christian individuals or families who have associated themselves with a Benedictine community in order to enrich their Christian way of life. Oblates shape their lives by living the wisdom of Christ as interpreted by Saint Benedict. Oblates seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life; they do not take on a new set of religious practices, live in a religious community, or take vows.
Saint Raphael Parish has its own Benedictine Oblate Chapter that meets once a month.
About Saint Raphael Parish
Saint Raphael Parish is a Catholic community located on the West Side of Manchester, New Hampshire. A parish entrusted to the care of the Benedictine monks of Saint Anselm Abbey, its core values are faith, humility, healing, hospitality, community, and worship.
If you are searching for a parish community to call your home, all are welcome to join. Please contact Saint Raphael Parish's Pastor, Fr. Anselm Smedile, O.S.B., or join the community for daily or weekend Masses at the church at 103 Walker Street in Manchester.