The community will gather Sunday, July 19, to celebrate Saint Macrina’s feast day. There will be conferences on Saint Macrina and also on Mother Macrina, Foundress of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province. The days following the Sisters will hold their annual summer community meetings at the monastery.
Recently, members of the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light stayed at the Mount overnight on a return visit. The new religious community serves the Maronite Church from southeastern Massachusetts. The Sisters and Postulants were on their way from the annual Maronite Church assembly held this year in Cleveland, to the annual Youth Retreat being held at St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa.
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.
