It was a beautiful evening at Mount St. Macrina as many Pilgrims gathered for Compline at the Shrine Altar. The 80th Annual Pilgrimage begins tomorrow morning. We look forward to welcoming Pilgrims as we begin our journey.
Bottom Row: Kathy Sefcheck, Linda Salveson Davis, Eileen Stegura Gmittler, Anna Maria Petrunya Singel and Kim Kociusko Warhola.
Top Row: Gloria Helt Kostelnik, Mary Kay Marsinek Stiver, Bridget Blair Bowman, Rosemarie Skovran Rupnik, Georgine “Cookie” Hlebasko Sutkowski and Elaine McKulka.
The Class of ’64 of Mt. St. Macrina Academy, Uniontown, Pennsylvania recently celebrated their “50th” high school reunion. The class originally began with twenty-five freshmen and graduated nineteen seniors.
The weekend began Friday evening, July 26th, with seven alumnae gathering for a hospitality evening at one of the “Links Townhouses” at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, located in Farmington, Pennsylvania. There we reminisced over the past fifty years amidst laughter and tears. As we perused through the yearbooks we “relived” many of the highlights of those memorable academy years.
During the weekend some of the alumnae returned to the beautiful campus of the Mount and visited with some former teachers while others visited some of the historical sites of Fort Necessity and Gen. Braddock’s grave that were located near the Laurel Caverns area. Those who stayed at the Nemacolin Resort had the delightful opportunity to tour the lovely grounds with its nature trails and outdoor habitats that enclosed zoo-like animals.
The highlight of the weekend was the formal dinner held on Saturday at “The Stone House Inn, where more of the alumnae with their husbands joined in the festivities. Special awards were given: “Cookie” (Georgine) Hlebasko Sutkowski (Charlotte, N.C.), was the most difficult classmate to find; Anna Petrunya Singel (McKees Rocks, PA) was the quickest to respond and showed up wearing a replica of the Academy uniform complete with “saddle shoes”; and, to Kim Kociusko Warhola, for traveling the farthest from Campbell, California.
The table centerpieces (saddle shoe planters) and decoupaged vases with yearbook pictures were made by Mary Kay Marsinek Stiver and Bridget Blair Bowman. Both ladies orchestrated the weekend events as well. Kim Warhola surprised everyone with their own individual keepsakes of a “global” candle.
We all agreed that everyone had such a wonderful and delightful time. The ladies met one final time for “brunch” on Sunday at “Braddock’s Inn.” It was unanimously agreed that we would gather again for the “55th” class reunion in October – 2019, at the Mount.
Submitted by: Bridget Bowman
Sat., August 16, 9:30 a.m. (Rain date: August 23)
Volunteers are asked to meet at the Trinity Center at 9:30 a.m. Please 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.
The Sisters at Mount St. Macrina announce the re-opening of one section of the Pilgrimage Houses for the upcoming 80th Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Approximately twenty beds (in small dormitories) will be available this year exclusively for pilgrims who are physically challenged and cannot climb stairs.
Due to the limited number of beds, please note that we are unable to accommodate caregivers. Pilgrims staying in these dormitories must be able to navigate on their own.
The fee for these beds is $40.00 per night and are available on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve a bed, please call Sister Carol at 724-438-7149.
During the renovation a beam was discovered with the date July 19,1938 written in beautiful script. This was the year the buildings were constructed. Since the roof and foundation were found in good condition, the current renovation was undertaken.
It is hoped that more of the interior will be developed in the future. The Sisters are gratefully accepting donations toward this project.
Father James D. Hess, O.CARM., Spiritual Director, SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary directed the retreat for the Sisters, July 28-August 1. The Sisters had a very positive and blessed experience.
Rev. James D. Hess, O.CARM.
During Community Days in late July, the Sisters of St. Basil gathered to celebrate the 60th and 70th Anniversaries of three of their Sisters. Jubilees are occasions for all of the community to reflect on their lives as an affirmation of love, a love story of God and a person. For God did not address his invitation “to whom it may concern.” Rather, He called each one by name; each one was chosen for the unique gifts which she would offer in service to God and to the entire Church. At the Divine Liturgy, the community raised their voices in thanksgiving to God for the accumulated years of fidelity of these Sisters. For the special gift of vocation, there was rejoicing with those who faithfully answered that call, not once but each day of their lives. Following the Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving in the Chapel at Mount Macrina Manor, all then proceeded to continue the celebration at a festive meal in the Grove Dining Room.
Celebrating their 70th Anniversary of Religious Life were Sister Vladimir Chabala and Sister Mary Ann Vasilcheck; celebrating 60 years as a Sister of St. Basil was Sister Ann Fedyszak.
Sister Vladimir entered the Sisters of St. Basil from St. Mary’s Church, New York, N.Y. She brought to the Community her special gift in the culinary arts, which she generously offers in service to the present time. Besides caring for the Sisters’ needs in the various parishes of Archeparchy, Sister Vladimir also served at St. Basil’s Home for Aged Women and at the Archbishop’s Residence in Pittsburgh, Pa. In addition to baking throughout the year, Sister Vladimir brings her unique abilities to the “medovniki” project for the annual Pilgrimage. Sister Vladimir has fine-tuned this particular ministry down to its minutest details. Sister is also responsible for preparing the Holy Chrism which is consecrated for use in all the Eparchies, another ministry to which she has been devoted for a number of years.
Sister Mary Ann came to the Community from SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Struthers, Ohio. Throughout her religious life, Sister Mary Ann was called upon to serve as a teacher and catechist as well as caring for the needs of the Sisters in the parish missions. Sister also served at St. Basil’s Home for the Aged and in the Bishop’s residence in Pittsburgh, Pa. Upon her assignment to the Monastery, Sister assisted the director in various duties. While she was till active, Sister Mary Ann volunteered at Mount Macrina Manor, helped with phone duty, and offered her willingness to be a “personal shopper” for those who need this service. Presently, Sister Mary Ann is a resident at Mount Macrina Manor.
Sister Ann entered the Community from SS. Peter and Paul Church, Warren, Ohio. Initially, Sister Ann was assigned to the teaching apostolate in a number of schools that were staffed by the Sisters of St. Basil. She was one of the Sisters assigned to help establish the Office of Religious Education in Pittsburgh. Her Degree in Education from Duquesne University and further graduate studies which focused on various aspects of Eastern Spirituality and Theology enabled her to make a significant contribution in this area. Sister Ann also served the Community in Provincial Administration as Assistant Provincial and Motherhouse Director. Following this, she served part-time in the Office of Religious Education and part-time in parish ministry at Holy Ghost parish in McKees Rocks, Pa. for five years then moving on to serve full time in parish ministry in McKees Rocks. Presently, Sister Ann is a resident at Mount Macrina Manor.
(Not present for photos were Sister Vladimir and Sister Mary Ann.)
Sister Ann with her sister, Sister Margaret, Sister Seraphim and her brother, Joe.
Sisters in chapel at Manor for Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving
Sister Ann expressing gratitude for her celebration