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Christ is Risen!
Indeed, He is Risen!

How many times will we joyfully greet one another with this life-changing proclamation over the next 40 days?

With what renewed enthusiasm and depth of faith will we sing: “Christ is Risen from the dead; by death He trampled death, and to those in the tombs, He granted life”?

Do you truly embrace, in faith, that the Paschal Mystery is your salvation—that Christ died and rose for you personally?

I invite you to take time during these 40 days to gently reflect on the priceless gift of salvation—the gift the Risen Christ won for us through the Cross, given freely out of love for each of us.

Throughout the world, people are searching for hope. Our hope is found in the Paschal Mystery—the gift of salvation offered to every one of us, without exception.

May the Risen Lord surround you and those you love with peace that soothes, joy that uplifts, and hope that endures—not only in this Easter Season, but always.

Christ is Risen!
Indeed, He is Risen!

Sr. Susan Sisko, OSBM, Provincial &
The Sisters of St. Basil

Very gently, like the gentle person she was, Sister Petronilla (Anna Mary) Puhak fell asleep in the Lord. She had been resting by her bedside, when Jesus call her to Himself. She was 94 years of age and in the 76th year of her life as a Sister of St. Basil.

Sister Petronilla was born on September 16, 1931 in Hazleton, PA, the daughter of John and Anna (Timcho) Puhak. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil on March 3, 1950 and made her perpetual vows on April 11, 1955.

From that day, her life was marked by a several ministries; chief among these as a teacher and principal until 2002. She was known as the best primary teacher in every school where she served. It was said that her pupils followed her around, giving her the reputation as a pied-piper.

Retiring from the teaching ministry after 48 years, Sister then found her niche in Pastoral Care at Mt. Macrina Manor, beginning as a part-time employee. In this ministry, she became well-loved by both residents and staff at the Manor. About 6 years before she herself became a resident at the Manor, Sister took on a relaxed schedule, working only half-days.

One of her favorite forms of relaxation was looking after Dash, the Manor resident cat who thrived under her care. Probably no cat was ever so cherished as much as Dash.

Sister Petronilla wanted to be remembered for her deep faith and trust in God, her love of her vocation and community; her love of teaching, ministering to the elderly and her quiet spirit. All this was borne out in all whose lives she touched. It was fitting that her last days on earth were spent among those who knew her fondly as “Sister P.”

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends will be received at the Monastery on Tuesday, March 24, from 3:30 pm to the time of the Parastas Service which will be sung at 6:30 pm. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in the Dormition Section of Mount Macrina Cemetery.

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

On the morning of Tuesday, March 3rd, Sister Helen Schott (Annunciata) was welcomed into the loving embrace of the Lord after a full life in His service. She was 91 years of age and in the 70th year of her consecrated life as a Sister of St. Basil.

Sister Helen Schott was born on June 22, 1934, in Freeland, Pennsylvania. Formerly a parishioner of St. John’s Church in Hazleton, she entered the Sisters of St. Basil on September 12,1953 and made her perpetual vows on August 16, 1959.

From 1956 to 1969, she faithfully served as a teacher and principal in parochial schools in Bridgeport, Munhall, Whiting, Lorain, Pottstown, and Parma. From 1974 to 1979, she ministered as Director of Nursing and Superior at Mt. Macrina Manor Nursing Home in Uniontown.

Sister Helen served her Province with dedication as Provincial Councilor (1975–1980) and Provincial Superior (1980–1990). Under Sister Helen’s leadership, the Sisters moved into the decade of the 80’s with a new appreciation of their vowed life and their Byzantine heritage. The movement to various ministries begun in the previous years continued during Sister Helen’s two terms as Provincial. In 1982, Sisters from the Uniontown Province added to their presence in Rome by missioning Sisters to the Generalate and in the Vatican Secretariat.

The initial translation of the Divine Office into English primarily for community use, resulted in the publication of the Office of Vespers, Office of Matins, The Festal Menaion and the Triodion. The Basilian Associate Program was established in 1990.

A revitalization program was begun in the Province, and a review of buildings and resources for future planning was undertaken. The health care ministry at Mt. Macrina grew and in 1989 groundbreaking was held to enlarge the Manor to a 120-bed facility, offering three levels of care to the elderly and infirm.

When her terms of office were completed, Sister Helen worked with Albert Gallatin Nursing Service in Hospice care, also serving as Health Director of the Province. Until she was no longer able to do so, health care of the Sisters proved to be her final engagement in active ministry.

Sister Helen was known for her open and friendly manner, not only in the community, but wherever she was called to serve. She wanted to be known for her untiring concern for the infirm Sisters, her love of Byzantine Spirituality, and her love of the Sisters of St. Basil.

In addition to her community, she is survived by nephews James Bannon and Daniel and Christopher Peterson, as well as a number of cousins and devoted family and friends.

As her health declined, Sister Helen became a resident at the Manor. It was from here, that Jesus called her to her new home in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Relatives and friends will be received at the Monastery on Friday, March 6, from 3:30 pm to the time of the Parastas Service which will be sung at 6:30 pm. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in the Dormition Section of Mount Macrina Cemetery.

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

Christ is Born!

Glorify Him!

Dear Friends,

As we begin this Christmas Season, we thank you all for your thoughtfulness, your generosity, your fervent requests for prayers, and your kind messages, etc. throughout this year.  We are energized by your presence among us and are grateful to you.

As the commercial world soon decides to move on from Christmas to the next profitable holiday (yes, Valentines, and even Easter candy has already been spotted in some areas), I assure you that, we, the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, Mt. St. Macrina, Uniontown, will be very much centered on this beautiful Season of Christmas, the prayers accompanying the Feast, the gentle movement toward the Feast of St. Basil (aka New Year’s Day), the Feast of Theophany, etc.

God calls us all to be faithful, in whatever walk of life we find ourselves.  There are times in our lives where we find ourselves more faithful than at other times.  Our Lord knows this and loves us through it all.

Dear friends, please know that we sisters will always be, first and foremost, faithful to our good and gracious God, faithful in our prayers for each and every one of you, and faithful to wherever our mission and ministries lead us.

Wishing you a most blessed and joyful Christmas Season!

Sister Susan and the Sisters of St. Basil the Great

Academy alumnae – Save The Date: October 9-11, 2026. A few members of the Class of 1966 offered to plan the event that will be held in the Trinity Center at Mt. St. Macrina. Forthcoming details will be shared here and on our Facebook page.

Christ Is Born!  Glorify Him!

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. (Luke 2: 13-14)

Happy and Blessed Christmas!

Sr. Susan Sisko, OSBM & Sisters of St. Basil

As we join together with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed on us, we, the Sisters of St. Basil, thank you, our dear friends, for the many ways you have graced our lives. You are in our daily prayers, as we praise and thank God for each and every one of you. From our hearts to yours, we wish you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Sister M. Valeria Evanyo, O. S. B. M., a Sister of the Uniontown Province of the Sisters of St. Basil, fell asleep in the Lord at. Mt. Macrina Manor in Uniontown on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. She was born Helen on February 18, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the youngest of three daughters of the late Michael and Mary (Minarish) Evanyo.  Her early education was received at Pittsburgh public schools, and later graduated from Mt. Macrina Academy in Uniontown.

After entrance into the Basilian community from St. John the Baptist Parish on the South Side, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Carlow (then Mt. Mercy) College.  Her first ministry was teaching in parochial schools:  Pottstown, Mont Clare, and Uniontown, PA; in Bridgeport, CT.; Chicago, IL;  Cleveland and Lorain, OH.

A love for developmentally challenged children impelled Sister Valeria to pursue a master’s degree in special education, teaching at the Rose-Mary Center in Cleveland and at the Intermediate Unit in Uniontown.

The Lord’s call became quite different when she was appointed a secretary to the English Section of the Secretary of State at the Vatican in Rome, Italy.  Serving in Rome for thirteen years, she served in written communicating for both the Holy Father John Paul II, and for other Vatican offices.  Sr. Valeria has the unique distinction among the Basilian community of having worked for a saint (St. John Paul II).

Back in America, Sister Valeria assumed the responsibility of secretary for +Bishop Basil Schott at the Eparchy of Parma.  This was followed when she became the receptionist at the Chancery of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh until her retirement from active ministry in August of 2014.  Health issues took her to the monastery in August of 2022, and then  to Mt. Macrina Manor.

Throughout her life of service, Sr. Valeria was known for her light-hearted spirit and great sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Mary Corso and Pauline Benedik.  Left to cherish her memory are her nieces and nephews: Theresa and Thomas Benedik, Emily O’Keefe, Barbara Fair, June Murray, and Virginia Corso-Phinney, Urban, William and Martin Corso.

Friends will be received at the monastery on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 3:00 until 6:15 p.m., when the Parastas service for a Nun will be celebrated.  The funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Most Reverend Archbishop William C. Skurla on Saturday, November 1 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Sisters section of Mt. Macrina Cemetery.

In blessed repose grant eternal rest O Lord to your departed handmaid Sister Valeria and remember her forever!