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Christmas Preparation Days at House of Prayer

Christmas at MSMSome of the Sisters and the Affiliates, and a few others, came together at the Mr. St. Macrina House of Prayer in Uniontown, Pa., on Sunday afternoon, December 13, 2015, for a Christmas Preparation Retreat. The House of Prayer, directed by Sr. Carol Petrasovch with assistance from Sr. Barbara Jean Mihalchick , is just one of the many works of mercy and piety run by the Sisters on their extensive property. Besides the monastery itself and the House of Prayer (which was the original monastery), they have a nursing home and a cemetery, and hostels for pilgrims who come for their annual Labor Day pilgrimage, and well as a gift shop. Shrines dot the landscape, and it seems that little coverts for prayer are everywhere. There was a Live Nativity on the grounds getting underway that day after the retreat.

The Sisters had invited Archimandrite George to speak to the group. He said he came with two main ideas to share, the first being the opening of Matthew’s Gospel, in which four women, all of whom had a whiff of scandal, if not outright sin, about them, and they still became ancestors of Jesus. The point being, God can still do great and wonderful things even with flawed people.

The second point had to do with the Word becoming flesh. Why? He proposed that God wanted a hug. We can wrap our arms around thin air all day long—and God, who is everywhere, would be in that embrace—but we know that human beings much prefer a tangible hug, the actual feel of another person. And so God “translates” the divine spiritual reality into the living language of humanity: the Word becomes flesh, and lives among us; even now, in the Eucharist.

The pilgrims had an opportunity to make Confession, and then concluded their prayers with a moleben in preparation for Christmas. The day was topped off with a lovely supper prepared by Sr. Carol.

 

By |2015-12-18T17:02:46+00:00December 18th, 2015|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Christmas Preparation Days at House of Prayer

Obituary: Sister Eleanor Mary Horvat, OSBM

Scan0004Sister Eleanor Mary (former Sr. Vincentia) fell asleep peacefully in the Lord on Tuesday evening, December 8, 2015. As she had attended the Divine Liturgy earlier that day, and although she was having some discomfort, no one expected that this would have been her last day among us.

The daughter of the late John J. and Mary (Petro) Horvath, Sister Eleanor Mary was born in Pottstown, Pa. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil from St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Pottstown, Pa., on June 20, 1948. She pronounced her First Vows on August 15, 1950, and made her Perpetual Profession on January 1, 1956, in the presence of the late Very Rev. George Bonchonsky.

For many of the 67 years of her religious life, Sister Eleanor Mary served in culinary arts for the community in the missions in New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsylvania; at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary, at St. Basil’s Home for Women and at the monastery in Uniontown. Her interest in the culinary arts led her to participate in Galand’s World – A Chef’s Perspective to Cooking, as part of the Continuing Education offered by the Pennsylvania State University for three consecutive years.

Sister Eleanor Mary’s ministry underwent a change in 1986 when she became a familiar and pleasant figure in the Card and Prayer Department at the monastery. She would process the incoming mail and take care of keeping the files in order. Sister was assiduous in filling orders, packaging them, and assuring that they would be mailed in good time. She found great joy in doing this, and her dedication often led her to stay longer than was expected of her.  As an “extracurricular” activity, Sister Eleanor Mary accompanied Sister Dolores Ann to the regular meetings of the Multiple Sclerosis Social Club of Fayette County. She offered her services in sending greeting cards for various occasions to the members, and she was so cheerful in doing this that she was named an honorary member and the “Sunshine Girl” of the club. She continued her participation even while she was at Mount Macrina Manor where the meetings were held for some years.

Sister Eleanor Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Daniel and John Jr., and her sister Patricia Hassar. In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her nieces, cousins and their families. Relatives and friends will be received at the Monastery Chapel on Friday, December 11 from 3:30 p.m. to the time of the Parastas Service which will be sung at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue afterwards until 8:30 p.m. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. in the Monastery Chapel by Archbishop William Skurla. Interment will follow in the Dormition Section of Mount Macrina Cemetery. Stephen E. Kezmarsky III Funeral Home, Uniontown, is in charge of arrangements.

By |2015-12-10T01:05:10+00:00December 10th, 2015|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Obituary: Sister Eleanor Mary Horvat, OSBM

Registration Deadline Close for Christmas Preparation Days

christmas greeting iconChristmas Day of Prayer ( Presented by Sr. Marian Senish, CDP)

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, 9:15 a.m.—1:00 p.m. 

Offering: $30, includes lunch. Registration Due: Dec. 7

 

Christmas Day of Prayer (Presented by Msgr. George Appleyard)

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, 1:15 p.m.—5:00 p.m. 

Offering: $30, includes dinner. Registration Due: Dec.8

Call the House of Prayer at 724.438.7149 to register!

By |2015-12-04T16:43:42+00:00December 4th, 2015|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Registration Deadline Close for Christmas Preparation Days

Mount Macrina Manor to hold Live Nativity – Sun., Dec. 13

Mount Macrina Manor’s  annual Live Nativity will be held on the grounds of Mount Saint Macrina in North Union Township on Sunday, December 13, 5-7 p.m. More than 25 people are expected to portray Mary and Joseph, the shepherds tending to their flock, the Three Kings, the Little Drummer Boy and angels. The Nativity will be set up along the Friendship Circle, adjacent to the facility. In addition to the volunteers who are participating, there will also be live animals. Several groups will sing Christmas carols. The event is free of charge and everyone is welcome

 

By |2015-12-01T17:06:34+00:00December 1st, 2015|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Mount Macrina Manor to hold Live Nativity – Sun., Dec. 13
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