79th Annual Pilgrimage – Friday Evening
The 79th Pilgrimage will start tomorrow morning. This evening many pilgrims were on the grounds and attended Matins. Enjoy our photo album featuring the beauty of Mount St. Macrina >>
Volunteers Contribute Time and Resources in Preparation for the Annual Pilgrimage
…Together we make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ…Ephesians 4:12
The Sisters of St. Basil the Great have been abundantly blessed with dedicated and hardworking volunteers as they prepare for the 79th Annual Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The 240-acre property needs lots of tender loving care for the many pilgrims who will visit Mount Saint Macrina over the Labor Day weekend.
“Preparations begin in the spring and continue throughout the summer. There is so much to do. Our volunteers help us with such tasks as planting flowers, cleaning, painting and so much more,” said Sister Carol Petrasovich, OSBM. Sister Carol is the Pilgrimage coordinator.
The first official clean-up day was Helping Hands Day and it was held on Sat., June 1 and sponsored by the Greek Catholic Union.
An annual event, Helping Hands Day, brings together GCU members and volunteers to weed and plant the floral gardens, urns, and other areas surrounding the shrines throughout the grounds. Other work included cleaning several pavilions of a winter’s worth of leaves and debris.
As the time of the Pilgrimage grows close, there are many volunteers throughout the community and friends of the Sisters who come to the Mount and help with preparations. The next organized event took place on Sat., Aug. 17. This time GCU members were joined by the Duquesne University Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams. The effort was coordinated by their coach Tom Slosky.
“We were delighted to have this outstanding group of young people come and help our efforts. This project was presented to them as a volunteer opportunity. It was not a mandatory project. The turnout was so impressive and we are so grateful,” added Sister Carol.
For the past few years, the Johnson family and other volunteers from nearby Morgantown, W.Va. have come to Mount Saint Macrina to lend a hand. The group attends Holy Protection Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Morgantown. They assist Sister Regina with cleaning and preparing the kitchen and dining area at the
Racetrack.
In October 2012, the Sisters lost two dedicated and long term Pilgrimage volunteers. John Harvey passed away on October 16 and John Dudas passed on October 30. In their honor, two men from New York and three men from New Jersey came the week prior to the Pilgrimage to assist the Sisters with last minute chores, such as delivering candles, paper supplies, communion stands and benches. They also work on minor repairs.
“These men worked with John Harvey and/or John Dudas during past Pilgrimages or on parish projects. So, they have come to help us in honor of their deceased friends,” said Sister Barbara Jean Milhalchick, OSBM.
The Associates have also been very helpful the preparation of the elements associated with the liturgical services. Some are helping Sister Ruth Plante at the Religious Gift Shop, others are working in the numerous gardens throughout the property and several worked on various clean-up projects.
“We open our hearts and welcome our volunteers who help us with this yearly project. For the faithful who are no longer able to help, we thank you for all your years of service. For those planning to give of their time and talents again next year, we will extend a warm welcome back. For those who have not been here before and are considering helping out next year, we ask for any amount of time that you can offer,” added Sister Carol.
“Everyone is so important and so appreciated. It would be nearly impossible to name each volunteer who contributes, but you know who you are and you know how thankful
we are that you are here with us,” added Sister Barbara Jean.
Annual Pilgrimage Featured in Our Sunday Visitor
The Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is one of four pilgrimages featured in the August 25 edition of Our Sunday Visitor. Read more >>
Pilgrimage Preparations
A Pilgrimage Preparation Day was held Saturday, August 17, with over 60 volunteers participating. Many preparatory tasks were accomplished and the grounds show the progress.
Half of the group arrived from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Mr. Tom Slosky, Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Running Teams, selected this as the service project of the summer for the young men and women. They contributed much, enjoyed it, and hope to return in the future! See the album of photos.
Community Days
The Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province gather each summer in Uniontown for retreat, community meetings and celebrations. The Provincial Administration plans the programs.Father Marcus Gomori gave the retreat July 29 – August 2, enriching the Sisters by viewing Gospel events with the aid of the Hebrew Scriptures, culture and religious traditions.
August 4 was the Jubilee celebration for the 50 Year Jubilarians. See separate blog and album.
Community meetings began August 5 with the Province report and updates from Sister Seraphim, followed by the Treasurer’s annual report, Pilgrimage planning and the Vocation Task Force report. The final day centered on a visioning project the Sisters are working on in phases, as well as the Missioning Ceremony that traditionally completes Community Week.
In the midst of these days, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Sisters also commemorated the 60th Anniversary of Religious Life of Sister Helen Schott, and the 70th Anniversary of Sister Gertrude Martin. In addition, many Sisters went to Mount Macrina Manor for a social event with our Sisters who are residents there.
The days were characterized with a spirit of gratitude and hope in the Transfigured Lord. The Sisters ever enjoy the opportunity to be together to appreciate each other’s giftedness, and to fill the chapel with the praises of the Lord and His Holy Mother.
Golden Jubilarians: A Quartet of Harmony
Sun., 
Aug. 4 was a day of gratitude and celebration for the Sisters of St. Basil at
Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa.: gratitude for the four Sisters celebrating their Golden Jubilee of religious life and celebration of their combined 200 years of ministry in our Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church.
The Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving was concelebrated by Very Rev. Archpriest John G. Petro and Very Rev. David Hannes. A host of family and friends joined the community in honoring the four Jubilarians, Sister Margaret Ann Andrako, Sister Sylvia Burnett, Sister Susan Harvey and Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick.
Pilgrimage Preparation Day – August 17
The Sisters of St. Basil are in need of help with
last minute Pilgrimage preparations.
Date: August 17, 2014 (Rain date: August 24)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Meet at Trinity Center at Mount Saint Macrina
What to bring: Brooms, weed whackers, blowers, weeding tools, rakes and clippers
(Lunch will be provided)
For further information, please call Sr. Carol, Pilgrimage Coordinator, at 724-438-7149 or email her at hpmsm@verizon.net.
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Pilgrimage Camping
Pilgrims camping on the grounds of Mount Saint Macrina can download the Camper
Registration and Guidelines at www.sistersofstbasil.org/pilgrimage. Your completed form and payment will be collected upon your arrival at Mount St. Macrina.