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The brochure will be mailed this month. In the meantime, here is 81st Annual Pilgrimage Schedule.

The Sisters of St. Basil are in the process of baking and icing medovniki for the 81st Annual Pilgrimage. Thanks to all of our Sisters and volunteers for helping!

Several Sisters attended the annual fundraiser for Mount Macrina Manor Nursing Home, a golf outing and luncheon at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort June 5.   Sisters and several residents were sponsored by the donations of benefactors for the meal held at Falling Rock.  Over 65 golfers attended; a large basket raffle completed the occasion.

Thanks to everyone who came to Mount St. Macrina for Helping Hands Day last Saturday. It was great to see so many volunteers come out and support our preparations for the Annual Pilgrimage. Our next work day is Saturday, August 22. If it rains that day, we will hold it on Saturday, August 29. Thanks again!

A Young Adult Catholic Retreat was held at the House of Prayer at the end of May. Father Will Rupp of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Hawk Run, PA, Kevin Barry, a Youth Minister of the Diocese of Greensburg/Connellsville Area Roman Catholic Churches, and Rachel Pawluszka, a Byzantine Catholic student at Drexel University, Philadelphia, directed the weekend program together with Sister Barbara Jean, OSBM.  Father Bob Lubic, Pastor, Connellsville Area Catholic Churches, was a guest presenter.  Attendees came from Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The theme was “The Call to Discipleship” according to Pope Francis’ document, “The Joy of the Gospel.”  Each participant received a copy of the book as well as an examination of conscience based on the teachings of the document.  Conferences, small and large group discussions, social and free time, liturgical services and confessions formed the schedule. The retreatants joined the Sisters of St. Basil at the monastery for Sunday’s Divine Liturgy. Evaluations were very positive; the group requests another retreat weekend next year and plans to bring other young adults to experience a retreat at the Mount.  For more info, please call the House of prayer at 724-438-7149.

On Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day), 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. 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.

On April 14, 2015 groundbreaking ceremonies took place at Mt. Macrina Manor. Mt. Macrina Manor is undertaking the renovation and refurbishment of the entire facility.

JoLynn Meyers, Mt. Macrina Manor Nursing Home Administrator, Sr. Seraphim Olsafsky, Provincial, Sisters of St. Basil the Great, V. Rev. Lawrence A. DiNardo, VG, JCL, Board President, Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla, Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Sr. Susan Sisko, OSBM, Board Member, Sr. Carol Petrasovich, Board Member, Eric McRoberts, Architect, RPLS, Carmine Molinaro, Jr., Esquire (partially hidden from view), Martin Saunders, Esquire, Board Member, Sr. Ruth Plante, Board Member, Richard Dropik, Project Manager/Engineer, RPLS, Ted Stefancin, Sisters of St. Basil’s Project Representative, Sr. Barbara Jean Mihalchick, Board Member, Sr. Margaret Ann Andrako, Board Member, and Joseph Massaro III, Contractor.

Archbishop William Skurla, the Metropolitan Archbishop for the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh blessing ground during the ceremonies.

“He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.”

Sr. Ruth Plante (right) Provincial; Sr. Margaret Ann (second right) Andrako, Assistant; and Sr. Sylvia Burnett (second left) and Sr. Joanne Lickvar (left) as Councilors.

The graced time of the Provincial Chapter of the Sisters of St. Basil led to the election of Sister Ruth Plante as Provincial; Sister Margaret Ann Andrako as Assistant, and Sister Sylvia Burnett and Sister Joanne Lickvar as Councilors. The above quote from Matthew 28:7 will surely be an inspiring quote for the new administration to hold in their hearts over the course of the next five years. Although the team is new in one sense; each of those elected have been in Province Leadership in the past and come well-prepared for the tasks set before them.

While preparing for Provincial Chapters, at times the Sisters chose the Myrrh-Bearing Women as themes for their prayer and reflection before and during the long process. The weekend of April 16-19, these holy women proved to be a rich source of inspiration as the Sisters engaged wholeheartedly into the process of “Facing the Future with Courage.” In one of the petitions during the Divine Liturgy, we prayed “that we may be as open and trusting as the Myrrh-Bearing Women disciples . . .’

With this in mind, the total community entered into a discernment process which involved exchange and interaction with all of the nominees before the actual election took place. This process was preceded by a prayer asking “for freedom of heart that we may act for the good of each other, for the province, and for the good of those we serve in sincere love.”

At the conclusion of the Chapter and encouraged by the words of St. Basil that “There is nothing unpremeditated; nothing neglected by God for God’s unsleeping eye beholds all things,” each Sister made a generous promise in support of  “Facing the Future with Courage.” The Sisters are most grateful to all the faithful who offered their prayers for God’s blessing on this significant event in the life of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province.

Facing the Future with Courage chosen as Chapter Theme

“Time flies quickly” is a truism that always strikes home for the Basilian Sisters when the time for another Provincial Chapter draws near. In monastic communities, these formal meetings take place every five years for the purpose of reviewing goals and electing leadership. Preparation for this significant event began in November, 2013, and was placed in the hands of a Chapter Preparatory Committee.

The committee used previous conversations focusing on our legacy as a springboard for involving the total community. These discussions built upon previous work during Corporate Reflection Days in the fall and spring and Community Days in the summer. During the course of these meetings, the Sisters shared their hopes relating to the spiritual, apostolic, financial and administrative aspects of their lives together. Looking to the future and how best they can continue serving God through his people will continue to guide the Chapter deliberations.

The Chapter Preparatory Committee is chaired by Sister Margaret Andrako, with Sister Agnes Herbenick, Sister Sylvia Burnett and Sister Margaret Kapusnak as members and Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick as Council Liaison. Sister Patricia Flynn, SSND, has been working with the committee and the community at large and will facilitate the Chapter which will take place April 16-19. The Sisters ask the faithful for their prayers for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during this sacred time in the life of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province.

Photos:

The Sisters find that small group discussions work very well in sharing vision, ideas, hopes and dreams. Facilitator Sister Patricia Flynn, SSND pictured in the background guides the discussions.