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Sister Ruth at the Food Drive

Celebrations of all kinds have taken new formats this year. The Sisters at Mount St. Macrina commemorated Catholic Sisters’ Week by holding a food drive involving the public and a clothing and housewares collection in-house.  The beneficiaries of the food drive, held March 9-20, were two local food banks, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Fayette County Community Action. Clothing and household goods were divided among local outreach programs.

Mary House accommodates 4-5 women in transition, guided by two Sisters of Charity of Greensburg.  The Goodwill Store accepted household items. A large part of the collection went to Fresh Fire Church which distributes clothing and household goods to the needy free of charge. Local benefactors brought generous amounts of food, health and hygiene products to the Religious Gift Shop to distribute to the many unemployed of Fayette County.  Local agencies have expressed their gratitude for the Sisters’ outreach and for their prayers.

Sister Barbara Jean delivers clothes to Sister Annette Frey, SC at Mary House

The Card Department is now selling Easter cards and Enrollment cards.

You can download the brochure here 2021 Spring Card Brochure

Download the Order Form here Order Form Spring 2021

Sister Regina (Claire Marie) Adams took the final steps of her journey into eternal life in the late evening of February 3, 2021. Entering the hospital with some health problems, she fully expected to return to her mission at St. Mary’s in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The Lord, whom she served so faithfully, however, had other plans for her and took her swiftly to Himself from there.

Sister Regina was born in Trenton, NJ, the daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Anchak) Adams. She entered the community from St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Trenton, NJ on February 4, 1957 and made her Final Profession of Vows on August 26, 1962.

For about half of her religious life, Sister Regina spent her energies in teaching, and she was able to convey her love of this ministry whether her students were in the primary grades or the upper ones. Her abilities came into play as she also managed the duties of principal when necessary.  Sister Regina’s zeal for learning was matched by her enthusiasm for science, evidenced by her interest in the PA Jr. Academy of Science. Here, her students always placed favorably in these competitions.

Further, Sister’s talent for music served her well in her later years of parish ministry when she was often called upon to cantor for the Divine Services. She had a strong voice and one that was easy to follow. Not surprisingly, sports also had a prominent place among Sister Regina’s interests. Anything connected with Notre Dame or the Steelers had a special place in her heart.

After the schools where the Sisters served were closed, Sister Regina’s energies then turned to parish ministry for the remainder of her life. Chief among the duties of this ministry was visiting the sick of the parishes.  Her lively nature lent itself to bringing cheer to those who were homebound, in hospitals or in nursing homes. This ministry, to which she devoted herself with great dedication, was to be her last. From there it was just another step into eternity.

Pilgrims will remember Sister Regina’s familiar face at the Holupki Stand where she was always ready to greet them with joy and with a smile. In the community, Sister will be missed for her sense of humor and her infectious laughter. A friend of hers characterized this laughter as mimicking a tommy gun; thus giving her the nickname “Tommy.” She herself wanted to be remembered for her deep sense of faith and trust in God. No doubt, it was this she called upon as she surrendered her life into the hands of God.

Sister Regina was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Michael. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to the members of her community, she is survived by her two devoted nieces Linda Marfino and Regina Garb and their families.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, there will be no public viewing. All services are private and will held in the monastery Chapel on Tuesday, February 9 at 10:30 a.m. Archbishop William Skurla will celebrate the Funeral Divine Liturgy with Rev. Jerome Botsko, Monastery Chaplain as concelebrant.

After struggling with multiple health issues for a number of years, Sister Pius (Irene) Yavor fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, December 14, 2020. She fell seriously ill with the coronavirus. With permission, Sister Pius had been living apart from community. She was staying with her family, and it was from her home in Perth Amboy, NJ that the Lord called her to Himself.

Sister Pius was born in Perth Amboy, NJ, the daughter of the late George and Anna (Andrejo) Yavor. She entered the community from St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ on September 24, 1951 and made her Final Profession of Vows on August 15, 1957 in the presence of the late Bishop Nicholas Elko.

For several of her years in active ministry, Sister Pius was involved in teaching and catechesis. Of those years, from 1979 through 1983, she was teacher and principal in St. Michael’s School in her hometown of Perth Amboy. While there, she was ahead of her time in initiating computer classes after school for those interested. Evangelization then became her focus, and with great enthusiasm, she answered the request of Rev. John Zeyack of St. Thomas Church in Rahway, NJ to serve in this parish ministry.

What became Sister Pius’s best-loved ministry followed in 1988 when she was hired to serve in Campus Ministry at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. It was her joy to be available to the students there, and her engaging personality lent itself to this work. Additionally, Sister Pius served as an instructor in the Adult Enrichment Program of the Passaic Eparchy and as a member of the Passaic Diocesan Catechetical Board

Even though no longer engaged in active ministry for the community, Sister Pius was often on the phone with those who sought her comfort and counsel. It was heartening to her to be a healing and praying presence for those who called upon her.

Sister Pius was preceded in death by her parents, her brother George (Gerry) and her sisters, Marie and Anna (Malik). A day after her passing, her sister Margaret followed Sister Pius into eternity. In addition to the members of her community, she is survived by her niece Venus Majeski.

The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020, in St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. Interment in St Nicholas Cemetery, Perth Amboy.

May God grant to his handmaiden, Sister Pius, eternal memory and peaceful repose.

Early in the evening of Monday, December 14, 2020, Sister Emma Pauline (former Sister Hilaria) fell asleep in the Lord at Mt. Macrina Manor. In two weeks, she would have observed her 100^th birthday. The Lord Jesus, however, chose a better “birthday” for her, this one to be celebrated in His Kingdom.

Sister Emma Pauline was born in Donora, PA, the daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Oras) Fedorchak. She entered the community from St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Donora, PA on September 27, 1936 and made her Final Profession of Vows on April 23, 1946.

For a little more than 40 years, Sister Emma Pauline was engaged in catechetical and elementary education as her main ministry. With two degrees in this field, she was especially gifted in teaching the youngsters in the primary grades. One of her students from those years, still remembers her fondly. He credits Sister with forming him in the faith from the time she prepared him for First Communion.

At the juncture of halfway through her ministry, Sister Emma Pauline’s energies shifted to pastoral care, volunteering for three years at Mt. Macrina Manor, then seven years at St. George Byzantine Catholic Church in Linden, NJ.  The late Monsignor George Billy was pastor at St. George’s. He later became a resident at the Manor, and Sister was very faithful in visiting him during her time in pastoral ministry. Her care for Monsignor was deeply appreciated by his family, as she was so well known to them.

In 1996, Sister returned to the Monastery, and shortly after began to volunteer again at Mt. Macrina Manor until 2002 when she retired from active ministry. Sister’s final years of life were spent as a resident at the Manor.

Sister Emma Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Leonard, and her sisters Irene Womeldorf, Helen Lisante and Anna Ramult, She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Rev. Jerome Botsko, Monastery Chaplain will celebrate the Funeral Divine Liturgy in the Monastery Chapel on Friday, December 18. Rev. Stephen Wahal, pastor of Sister’s home parish in Donora, will concelebrate. Due to the pandemic, there will be no public viewing.

Crawford Funeral Home in Hopwood is in charge of arrangements.

Late in the evening of December 8, 2020, Sister Fabian entered into the embrace of the Heavenly Father. It was a feast day that was particularly dear to Sister, celebrating Mary, the Mother of God. Surely, Sister Fabian was welcomed into the Heavenly Kingdom by this beloved heavenly Mother, Mary.

Sister Fabian (Margaret) Krassa was born in Uniontown, PA, the daughter of the late Stephen and Mary (Huston) Krassa. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil from St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Uniontown, PA on September 15, 1950 and made her Final Profession of Vows on January 1, 1956 in the presence of the late Very Rev. George Bonchonsky.

Her ministry experience was largely focused on education, both as a teacher and principal. After 40 years of dedication to this ministry, Sister Fabian was granted her desire to serve in Rome, Italy. There she worked for seven years in the library of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. Of her time there, Fr. Gick, S.J. wrote: “I have found her to be honest and generous in her approach to her work, but more importantly, she had demonstrated a  high degree of loyalty and trustworthiness in her work . . . and has carried out her obligations with care and precision.”

While enjoying her work at the Institute, Sister’s great joy in being in Rome was the many opportunities she had to attend the audiences of now St. John Paul II.

Upon her return to the monastery at Mount St. Macrina, Sister Fabian assisted part time with keeping the Monastery Archives and other clerical duties as were asked of her. When her health no longer permitted this, Sister became a resident at Mt. Macrina Manor, from where she was called home to the Lord.

Writing about her vocation, Sister Fabian noted that it was her parents’ faith and devotion to Christ that finally led her to Religious life. She remembered telling her mother that if she were a boy, she would be a priest. When she was in the eighth grade, the death of her pastor was another event that influenced her life choice. At the end of his funeral, she had the strong sensation that God was calling her to the religious life, giving her his vocation in a sense. After this incident, there was never any doubt in Sister Fabian’s mind about her call. This was made even firmer in high school when a Franciscan priest became the pastor at St. John’s and had parish missions that nourished her desire to be a Sister.

What Sister Fabian enjoyed most in her life was bringing Christ to others through the teaching apostolate. After being sent out to teach, she found that she received even more than the hundredfold promised by Jesus through the important events and relationships she encountered.

In July, Sister Fabian celebrated her 70^th Anniversary as a Sister of St. Basil confirming her initial desire to give her life to God, serving however and wherever she was called. We can rejoice with her, trusting that Sister Fabian is now face to face with Jesus, her Divine Spouse.

Sister Fabian was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Jimmy, Michael, Steve, Andrew, Adam and John, and her sisters Anne, Mary (Hudock), and Helen (Zahuranic). In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her sister Pauline Monakee and devoted nieces and nephew.

The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated privately in the Monastery Chapel on Saturday, December 12 by Rev. Jerome Botsko, Monastery Chaplain. Very Rev. Ronald P. Larko, pastor at St. John’s will concelebrate. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, there will no public viewing.

Donald R. Crawford Funeral Home, Hopwood, is in charge of arrangements.

Due to closure resulting from COVID-19 regulations, the Religious Gift Shop experienced a loss of revenue impacting our ability to provide the items our customers have come to rely upon. In gratitude for a donation of $25 or more, we will send you this lovely Our Lady of Perpetual Help battery candle (7.5 inches in height). Checks can be made out to Religious Gift Shop or you may call 724-439-6180 to make a credit card donation. Thank you in advance for your support!