Monthly Archives: May 2017

Follow the link to read InTouch Spring17.

Mt. St. Macrina Cemetery is undergoing a needed face-lift.  The Raimondo Company, a masonry restoration contractor, has been engaged to carry out restoration in three areas of the Cemetery:  the entrance pillars; the limestone Altar and surrounding areas including the Bishops’ headstones, balustrades; and the Versalock road leading to the main altar area.

Crews have been on site for over a week systematically applying chemical detergent and a water pressure system on all masonry surfaces, pillars, and altars.  They sandblasted the Versalock road/pathways and applied protective spray coat of silicon liquid.  They proceeded to spot point open holes and structural cracks in all existing masonry.  They repointed, bonded, mortared, patched, installed rods, inserted wire mesh, built, cured and anchored.

The pillars’ structural fissures were addressed and the existing deteriorating mosaic tiles were replaced with a limestone backing which was then painted with a decorative vine design.

Last Pilgrimage Mr. & Mrs. John Forney mentioned their willingness to contribute toward the restoration of the main altar and Bishops’ headstone in the Cemetery.  Once this project began, they graciously followed through and made a very generous contribution to help finance this project.   We Sisters are very appreciative of their generosity, and to all those who have contributed toward the upgrade of this sacred resting place.  May God grant to Mr.  & Mrs.  John Forney and Family many Blessed and Happy Years!

We Sisters believe that our cemetery is a sacred place where the memory of all our loved one is to be honored with dignity.  We will continue to do all we can to make it a tranquil place of beauty, and a place that calls us to dwell on those things that will live forever.

…Sister Seraphim, Director

Helping Hands Day, which is sponsored by the Greek Catholic Union of the U.S.A., will take place at Mount St. Macrina this year on Sat., June 3.

The annual observance combines the strengths of participants to produce meaningful results for the preparation of the 83rd Annual Pilgrimage which will be held over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 & 3.

On this day, at Mount Saint Macrina, the faithful of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh,  the GCU (a fraternal benefit society serving Byzantine Catholics since 1892), and the many friends of the Sisters of Saint Basil join together for a common cause—to prepare the grounds for the Annual

Pilgrimage. Volunteers will clear floral gardens, shrines, urns and other plantingareas throughout the grounds, and then plant annuals. Other work centers will be the pavilions, which will be cleared of a winter’s worth of leaves and other debris.

The GCU is pleased to partner with the Sisters of St. Basil the Great and interested youth and adults for Helping Hands Day.  If you are able to participate, here are a few notes:

• The group will meet in the Trinity Center for coffee and donuts at 9:30 a.m.
• A brief prayer service will follow, and work will begin at 10:00 a.m.
• Bring lawn tools (including brooms, rakes, weed whackers, etc.) for outside work. Bring brooms, mops, dust pans, etc., for any indoor cleaning.
• Lunch will be served.

To register or for additional information, please call Sr. Joanne at 724-439-4940 or GCU at 1-800-722-4428.

On Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day), at 11:00 a.m., the Sisters of St. Basil the Great will hold a Memorial Day tribute for the deceased buried at Mount St. Macrina Cemetery. The names of all deceased military personnel will be placed upon the altar during the Divine Liturgy (Mass) celebrated in the Monastery Chapel.  At 11:00 a.m., there will be a prayer service at the cemetery celebrated by Very Rev.Michael Huszti, JCOL. Military honors will be provided by members of the AMVETS Post 103 Honor Guard. All family members and friends are invited to join the Sisters in remembering their loved ones on this occasion.

Some last-minute preparations at the Pastoral Center in Phoenix, Ariz., would be the last joyful and loving service Sr. Jean Marie would offer in the long list of her missions as a Sister of St. Basil. It was from that place that Jesus called her to Himself on Thursday evening, the 18^th of May.

Sr. Jean Marie (Joanne Ann) Cihota was born in Mingo Junction, Ohio, the daughter of the late John and Anna (Burch) Cihota. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil from St. Nicholas Church in McKeesport, Pa., on February 2, 1956, and made her Final Profession of Vows on August 20, 1961.

Sister Jean Marie began her ministry as a teacher on the elementary level for about a dozen years before being called to be part of the team which organized the Religious Education program and office in Pittsburgh. As part of this group, she collaborated in initiating the God With Us series for Eastern Christian Formation. Her years in this ministry included beginning the same office in the Parma Eparchy. The office being firmly established there and in Pittsburgh, Sr. Jean Marie was called to Pastoral Ministry for the Passaic Eparchy at St. Therese Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Here her many talents and gifts were put to good use until she answered the call to community ministry as the Assistant to the Provincial.

Sr. Jean Marie held this position for ten years, also coordinating the many aspects of life in the monastery. Additionally, she served as Vocation and Affiliate Directress for the community and was also appointed Assistant Vocation Director for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Her term of office concluded, the West beckoned Sister Jean Marie, and the Eparchy of Phoenix became the home of her heart for the last years of her life. She was no less generous in expending her efforts in this mission territory than in all her previous years. While she may be remembered for the Myrrh-Bearers Retreat, for her work in Safe Environment, and her continuing involvement in Religious Education, Sr. Jean Marie herself wrote that she would like to be remembered for “my love of the Lord and all I come in contact with! My great love and zeal for our Byzantine Catholic Church! Spreading the Good News of Christ!” This she truly lived fully for more than 60 years as a Basilian Sister.

Sr. Jean Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother Mary Ferko Cihota, and her sister Patricia Bellis. In addition to her members in community, she is survived by her cherished brother John, her sister Mary Lynn Rebholz, her stepsister Rita Ferko Joyce, and many devoted nieces, nephews and their families.

Relatives and friends will be received at the Monastery Chapel on Tuesday, May 23 from 3:30 pm to the time of the Parastas Service which will be sung at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 24 at 10:30 am in the Monastery Chapel by Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla.

Interment will follow in the Dormition Section of Mount Macrina Cemetery.

The Sisters gathered at the Monastery a few weeks ago for Corporate Reflection Days. The weekend included meetings related to their life and future and some time to socialize and have fun. Pictured on the left are (left to right): Sr. Christopher, Sr. Bernarda, Sr. Janet, Sr. Margaret, Sr. Ruth (standing), Sr. Petronilla and Sr. Theodosia.