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by Sister Elaine Kisinko OSBM

Asking for help is not always an easy thing to do. We might be embarrassed that we cannot complete a task, be unable to handle some object, or decipher or understand some written words. We are usually grateful to those people who kindly come to our aid. When it comes to our prayer lives, however, we never stand alone. God the Father, Jesus, Mary His Mother, the angels and saints always listen, hear us, and help us.
Sometimes our prayers vary in intensity from bright, light and happy words of thanks-giving to dark and painful pleas of hurt and anguish. We might have special places where we appreciate spending time with our Lord whether that be with words or in silence.
A great gift of time and place for prayer is, of course, the 91st annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mount Saint Macrina in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, this year over the Labor Day weekend from August 29 to September 1. As always, it is truly a time set apart for our spiritual growth, renewal, and refreshment.
It seems that difficulties can evoke people to ask in prayer for heavenly intervention and help. People turn to God in prayer. When thinking of our country and our world today, it is obvious that prayer is greatly needed. Increasing violence, unending wars, disregard for human life, natural and unnatural disasters, and the list could go on and on.
Please make an effort, if you are able, to bring your blessed presence to the Pilgrimage. Kindly come with your favorite prayers and hymns. Come to join the others in the prayer and song of our holy and beautiful Church. We Sisters are grateful for each Pilgrim, from the youngest to the oldest who for four unique days will gather with our Bishops, Clergy and each other to ask in hope for the help we need, both personal and for the healing of our country and our world. We pray that the many people from near and far, united in the prayer, faith, and tradition of our treasured Byzantine Catholic Church, will travel to Mount Saint Macrina in Uniontown safely to receive the grace of God which awaits them there.

Jubilees are an opportunity for all of our Sisters to thank God for the gift of their vocations.  On Sunday, June 22, we had such an opportunity to celebrate with Sister Barbara Swindells the 70th Anniversary of her religious life.

Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla offered the Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving. In his homily, Archbishop noted that the Gospel was particularly fitting since it was about the call of the Apostles. Like these apostles, Sister Barbara answered the invitation to follow Jesus and did so faithfully over the course of many years.

Sister Barbara Swindells entered the community from St. Mary Church in Chicago, Illinois. For over 20 years, Sister Barbara’s energy was devoted to education from the elementary level through high school, at times serving as principal or assistant principal. Following these years, Sister was involved in a variety of ministries, ranging from Religious Education to administration on the local level and as Provincial Councilor.

Sister Barbara spent many years as manager of Mt. St. Macrina Cemetery.  She oversaw the reorganization of vast cemetery documents and had the foresight to initiate the Cemetery Integrated Management System, a computerized mapping system.  Sister directed a further expansion of the cemetery and the renewal of the Bishop’s crypt area, while simultaneously caring for the many unseen but meticulous details required of management.

Presently, Sister Barbara schedules the requested Divine Liturgy intentions.

At the festive meal following the Liturgy, Sister Susan thanked Sister Barbara for her fidelity to her vocation and her life of faithful service. Each Sister also offered her congratulations to our Jubilarian, taking the opportunity to share memories of years gone by.   Sister Barbara also shared a few remarks, thanking the sisters for all they did to make her celebration so joyful.

May God grant to Sister Barbara many spiritually fruitful, blessed, and happy years!

Why does Christmas resonate with so many people, even non-Christians?  Why are there carols and songs about it, the giving of gifts, and the warm feelings and emotions it evokes at this time of year?  Why Christmas?

Christmas celebrates a vulnerable, homeless child, born of a young, vulnerable, yet faith-filled woman, into a very poor and precarious situation.  Christmas celebrates the faith of the magi that the star they followed would lead them to something special; the faith of the shepherds, who heard the music of the angels and followed; the faith of Mary and Joseph, who trusted in God, and protected their child against forces determined to kill him.

Christmas celebrates the triumph of vulnerability and humility over the forces of evil. Everyone in the story of Christmas is vulnerable, yet through humility and faith, they play their part in the history of our salvation.

Mary, a betrothed yet unwed mother, is vulnerable to the law, her family, and society’s derision. Joseph, who has no idea what is going on but wants to protect Mary from the law, would have divorced her privately, were it not for a dream. This would have left Mary to raise Jesus on her own and with no husband, would have rendered her a homeless beggar.

The magi, who went to Herod when they saw the star and realized they should not return to him, became vulnerable to his wrath.

I think Christmas resonates with us so much because it also taps into our vulnerability and humility. There is a unique joy and kindness at this time of year that is not as obvious at other times of year. I think it’s because Christmas reminds us of just how vulnerable we all are. Thanks to our humility and faith, we recognize that there is One, and only One, so much greater than ourselves, who is Love Incarnate.

The Sisters of St. Basil the Great wish you, from our home at Mt. St. Macrina to your home, a most blessed Christmas Season and a happy and healthy new year.

God is With Us!

Sr. Susan Sisko & the Sisters of St. Basil

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Friends,

Sixty years ago, Julie Andrews strode through the Austrian Alps singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music.”   Today, we sisters sing: “The Mount is alive with the sound of Pilgrims.”

What an amazing Pilgrimage! Your prayers, presence, and magnificent singing filled Mt. St. Macrina once again and will fuel its engine until Labor Day weekend next year.

You traveled from near and far via plane, car, camper, or perhaps via computer.  However you experienced this year’s Otpust, we hope and pray that you came away from our 90^th Pilgrimage with a renewed heart and spirit and that Our Lord and His Mother, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, give you the comfort and strength needed for the coming year.

Thank you for your participation, your prayers, and your support.  We cannot begin to express what your presence means to the Sisters who call Mt. St. Macrina our home.

As we remove the tents, store the benches, and take stock of everything else, we can’t help but feel the anticipation for the 91^st Pilgrimage, which will be here before we know it. We’ll be waiting for you!

May the Theotokos, Our Mother, walk with you every step of the journey, and may She be your ever-present Intercessor before the throne of her Son.

Gratefully in the Lord,

Sister Susan Sisko, OSBM
Provincial

Reunions are quite common: family reunions, high school class reunions, unexpected meetings with someone from one’s past, college homecoming weekends, and so on.  When we gather at the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mt. St. Macrina over the Labor Day weekend this year for the 90th Pilgrimage, it can be said that this, too, is a time of reunion.

On the obvious level, many of the people who have come have not seen each other since the last Pilgrimage.  For them it is a time of renewing a friendship or of deepening an acquaintance, a sharing of the happenings in their lives since they last met.  In the very early days of the Pilgrimage, many Pilgrims were immigrants not so long removed from their European homes.  For them it truly was a reunion with family members who had settled in different, even distant, parts of America.  Tears and emotion often were the norm as they prepared to board their buses to return home knowing they would not see each other until the next Pilgrimage.

Today, when technology can keep us together in close contact, there is still the joy and excitement of once again actually spending time with those who are usually only with us at this special event, our Pilgrimage.

Of course, by our prayer and our presence, we can become more reunited too with Our Lord and His Mother in a deeper way.  Receiving the mysteries of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, participating in the prayer of the Divine Liturgies and other services, spending time in private prayer, visiting the Shrine and the other shrines, and even holding a candle while walking in procession or by watching it go by can strengthen and help us to grow in our relationships with them.

Every Pilgrimage is a special event with unique blessings.  That this Pilgrimage this year is the 90th one gives us consideration of the number beyond counting of everyone: Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious, and Laity who, over that span of time walked these grounds, prayed, sang, and were blessed to be there united and reunited with each other just as we will be.  Please come to share the blessings that you and your presence bring.

Less than two short months after celebrating her Diamond Jubilee of religious life, Sister Theodosia (Mary) Alishofski entered eternity to celebrate her new life in the Kingdom. Sister had been a resident at Mt. Macrina Manor since 2021. Very early in the morning on July 10, 2024, it was from there that the Lord called her to Himself.

Sister Theodosia was born in Freeland, PA, the daughter of the late William and Mary (Condrick) Alishofski. She entered the community from St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Freeland, PA, on September 13, 1949, and made her Final Profession of Vows on August 29, 1954.

In active educational ministry from 1951 through 2005, Sister was a teacher and principal in parish schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Connecticut. When St. Mary’s School in Wilkes-Barre closed, she stayed on to serve in parish ministry and in catechesis.

Sister Theodosia was a gifted artist, and her earlier works were scenes of nature. As time passed, Sister became interested in iconography, and she pursued this calling by attending icon workshops and retreats during the summer. Her icons of the Feasts of the Liturgical Year adorn the walls on the way to the Chapel.  In addition, a large icon of the Holy Trinity is fixed on the back wall of the Monastery Chapel. Thus, Sister’s talents continue to bless us.

While a resident at Mt. Macrina Manor, Sister Theodosia was faithful in keeping in touch by mail or phone with family, relatives, former students, and friends. With over sixty years of contact in her ministry, this was no little feat. It brought her as much joy to share this ministry with so many.

Sister Theodosia was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Joseph, William, and Msgr. Nicholas. In addition to the members of her community, she is survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends will be received at the Monastery on Sunday, July 14, from 3:30 p.m. to the time of the Parastas at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich, Protosyncellus, and Rev. Jerome G. Botsko, Monastery Chaplain, on Monday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Dormition Section of Mt. Macrina Cemetery. Donald R. Crawford Funeral Home in Hopwood is in charge of arrangements.

This year, the Sisters of St. Basil had a signature celebration on Pentecost Sunday, joyfully commemorating the 75th Jubilee of Sister Theodosia Alishofski, Sister Theresa Bavol, and Sister Petronilla Puhak.

Like many who came before them, Sister Theodosia, Sister Theresa, and Sister Petronilla served as teachers in the parish schools for most of their lives in the community.

Sister Theodosia Alishofski, OSBM

Sister Theodosia came to the community from St. Mary’s in Freeland, Pennsylvania. For over 50 years, she was a teacher and principal in many schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Basil. Because of her many years in ministry, many of those to whom she ministered continue to keep in touch with her. She responds faithfully to those who do.

A talented artist, Sister Theodosia studied iconography, and several of the icons she created adorn the monastery chapel and corridors.

Sister Theodosia most recently served in parish ministry in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and surrounding parishes. While visiting the sick was the primary focus of this ministry, Sister was also involved in catechetical ministry in the parish.

Sister Theresa Bavol, OSBM

Sister Theresa entered the community from St. Mary’s in Trenton, New Jersey. She also was in the teaching ministry in the parish schools of the Metropolia for over fifty years, mostly teaching the primary and lower elementary grades. She also served in parish ministry in her home parish of St. Mary’s and at St. Therese in St. Petersburg, FL. Sister Theresa also brought her artistic talents to bear in teaching art to her students in Florida. Her unique gifts are always in demand for community celebrations.

Upon arrival at the Monastery, Sr. Theresa quickly used her talents and presence to serve the residents of Mount Macrina Manor through Pastoral Ministry.

Sister Petronilla Puhak, OSBM

Sister Petronilla entered the community from St. John’s in Hazleton, PA. Like those of her group, she was also engaged in the teaching ministry for almost 50 years. Sister Petronilla was especially gifted in teaching in the primary grades, and this age group was the focus of her ministry for most of her teaching experience.

After retiring from teaching, Sister offered her time and energy to those at the opposite end of the age spectrum, the infirm and elderly at Mt. Macrina Manor. In the pastoral ministry department, her thoughtfulness and gentle spirit brought light and joy to those she served.

Each of the Sisters has brought a diversity of gifts and talents to the Province and enriched it in her own unique way. May God grant each of them many more spiritually fruitful years in His service.

Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla celebrated the Divine Liturgy and joined the community at a festive dinner. Sister Susan Sisko, Provincial, congratulated and thanked the Sisters for their many years of service and dedication.

Eager to complete her life’s journey, Sister Agnes Herbenick (formerly Sister Stephen) was welcomed home by the Lord on Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2024, at Mt. Macrina Manor.   The Manor was the last place of Sister’s active ministry, and it was from there that she took the final steps into God’s Kingdom.  Her passing is felt deeply by all staff and residents alike, to whom she ministered as the pastoral care director for several years with great love and fidelity.

Sister Agnes was born in Lyndora, PA, the daughter of the late John and Mary (Katana) Herbenick. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil from St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Lyndora, PA on October 1, 1958, and made her Final Profession of Vows on August 22, 1964.

As a Sister of St. Basil Sister Agnes devoted 50 years of her life to the education ministry. It was a ministry that she enjoyed, and this was evident in the energy and good humor she brought to her students.

Throughout these 50 years of teaching, Sister Agnes ministered in the eparchies of Pittsburgh, Parma, and Passaic with a joy and bright spirit that was evident.

As it became apparent that the Lord would soon call her home, she had the opportunity to speak with a few family members. To one in particular, whose tears were apparent, she said, “Please don’t cry; this is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. “Even through the journey of death, Sister Agnes continues to teach all of us, and to model a grace and gentle spirit that was characteristics of her life as a Sister of St. Basil.

Sister Agnes loved to laugh and found humor in the most mundane things. She had a love of life, a love of her community, and a love for her family. As one of fourteen children, she had many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews. She faithfully acknowledged birthdays, holidays, and celebrations throughout the year. She kept in touch with so many, and even as she became weaker, she desired to stay in touch via a greeting card or text. She loved her family very much, and they loved her.

Sister Agnes was preceded in death by her parents and her many siblings: John, Michael, Stephen, William, Joseph, George, Paul, Frank, Mary Stanko, Margaret, Ann, Helen Villani, and Andrew. In addition to the members of her community, she is survived by many devoted nieces, nephews, and their children.

Relatives and friends will be received at the Monastery on Monday, March 4, from 3:30 pm to the time of the Parastas Service at 6:30 pm. Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla will celebrate the Funeral Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, March 5 at 10:30 am in the Monastery Chapel.

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

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