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Glory to Jesus Christ!

The Young Adults of the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh are excited to announce a new Byzantine Book club to be held virtually and we want to hear from you!

Our first step is gauging interest and fine tuning some basics. Our hope is to meet online, probably by Zoom, once per month, probably the last Monday of the month from 7:30 – 8:30, for reading and discussion focusing on the intersections of Eastern theology, this modern world we live in, our ancient faith, and being a young adult in the greater church. This group is sponsored by Pittsburgh Byzantine Catholic Young Adults, which if that describes you, here is a Facebook group to join.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/669368746784321/   and also sponsored by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, Uniontown PA.  Incidentally here is another Facebook page you may wish to follow. https://www.facebook.com/sistersofstbasil.uniontown

The first book we have chosen, at Sr. Barbara Jean’s fantastic suggestion, is St. Basil the Great’s commentary on Social Justice. “On Social Justice: St. Basil the Great.” This is available from the St. Vladimir Press Bookstore at https://svspress.com/ , I’ve also seen it on Amazon. The first essay we will be looking at is available online at http://stjohngoc.org/st-basil-the-greats-sermon-to-the-rich/. Please begin to read this essay to prepare for the first evening, August 31, 7:30 pm EDT.

I’m constantly surprised, and amazed how the church fathers speak so effortlessly through the centuries bringing the wisdom so topical and so needed to the discourse of today. This deep and thought provoking book challenges us to live our faith, even and especially in challenging times. In this time of Covid19 as we have all gotten tragically familiar with online video conferences and feel even more keenly our need for the fellowship of our community of believers, it is my hope that this community study into St. Basil’s wisdom can help inform, challenge, and strengthen our faith and to grow in wisdom, courage and charity as we respond to Christ’s call to us toward theosis.

So if diving into a book of Patristic theology with a community of young Byzantines sounds as appealing to you as it does to us (or you are just happy to find a social gathering that is free of charge and are any age at all, but feel you could be enriched by attending) please email your interest so we can start to gather hard numbers for planning going forward. Likewise if you are interested and have feedback about a good platform, day/time to meet, or have strong opinions if we should keep our working group title of “The Steel City Byzantines Book Club” or change it to “The Church Fathers’ are still Speaking”, or any other questions please direct them to Sam Tima, who has graciously volunteered to watch the email account at samst267@gmail.com.  As people register we will send out information to connect to the video chat. Hope to see you there! Father Will Rupp and Sister Barbara Jean, OSBM will participate in the sessions.

Send your registration notice or questions to Sam Tima at samst267@gmail.com for the opening session, August 31, 7:30 pm EDT.

Come!  Invite a friend and come!

Twice a year the Sisters of St. Basil gather for community meetings at the Mount. The theme for the July 20-23 meetings was “Rejoicing in a Century of Ministry.”

The days were filled with a variety of events: blessing of vehicles on the feast of Elijah the Great Prophet, celebrating the Jubilee of three Sisters, taping hymns for our virtual Pilgrimage, celebrating our 100^th anniversary of ministry, preparing for our upcoming Provincial Chapter and reflecting on reports from our Provincial and Treasurer.

One afternoon the Sisters spent time sharing their memories of Mother Macrina Melynchuk, the foundress of our Province, The Sisters also shared memories of inspiring and humorous incidents of their years in community.

On the final meeting day, Father John G. Petro was invited to speak to the community and to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy.  His theme was “My Joy: Christ Is Risen!” He explained how the joy of the Resurrection is to be the overriding theme of our life, and how our Church reminds us of this in the prayers of each Sunday when we celebrate a “little Easter”.

The annual Missioning Service concluded the program. Each Sister offered a written outline of her years in ministry which were held aloft before the altar in thanksgiving to God for his gifts. The Sisters received copies of their personal vocation memories in the form of letters they wrote to the officials of the community when advancing through the stages of their formation.  A celebration in the dining room completed the days.

The Young Adult Virtual Weekend Retreat, Authentic Discipleship: Responding to Christ’s Call in the Post-Modern World, will be held June 26-28, 2020. The retreat is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great and Mount St. Macrina House of Prayer.

The retreat is open to all Christian men and women, single or married, ages 18-35.

Those who register will meet by via the internet. Download the Updated Schedule.

Please register by June 25 and receive the link to participate. You may register by email: hpmsm@verizon.net or via the mail: House of Prayer, 510 W. Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. Your $50 donation supports the House of Prayer.

If you have questions or need additional information, please call 724-438-7149.

The Religious Gift Shop at Mount St. Macrina is now open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. These are temporary hours and further announcements will be made regarding any changes. Please stay tuned and thank you for your continued support. You are required to wear a mask while shopping at the Religious Gift Shop and please maintain social distance. For further information, call 724-439-6180.

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!

My dear Friends,

As we put up our 2020 calendars, I’m sure we did so hoping to fill each page with many plans, hopes, goals, and aspirations.   We had it all figured out…

Needless to say, having passed through one fourth of this year, the picture looks entirely different.  We all find ourselves in situations that we never expected or imagined stretching our faith and trust.  We need to dig deep into our spiritual treasure chest for encouragement.  One phrase I like to remember is: “The only way to stay above the water is to trust the One who walked on the waves.”

When we make plans, I imagine the Lord looks down upon us, shaking his head and smiling as He looks at what is actually on the horizon.  So what do we do?  We trust, we pray, we hold our plans with open hands.  We surrender them to Him.

Such has been our need as Sisters of St. Basil. We met, we discussed, we came up with ideas and plans to celebrate our 100^th anniversary – a Century of Ministry to the Byzantine Catholic Church.  Then COVID-19 arrived on the scene, and everything changed.  We, too, need to remember that just because what’s going on now doesn’t feel good, it doesn’t mean God’s not working.  Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.  We, too, strive to give up control and allow the Spirit of God to lead our lives.

One of the most difficult changes that we need to accept is the decision to cancel the Pilgrimage gathering in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  In the interest of safety and well-being of all, we will follow the lead of so many others and adhere to the guidelines provided.  It is our intent, however, to work on providing a series of internet services which pilgrims can watch from their own homes.  So, this year we will be making a pilgrimage of the “heart” rather than a pilgrimage of the “feet”.

We know that all of you are likewise going through your own life changes and adjustments.  Together, we Sisters and friends are like a quilt with lots of different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. Together, through our prayers for each other, we find warmth and comfort in a support system that makes our lives richer and fuller.  Together, we discover God’s plan for us.

With our loving prayers and support,

Sister Ruth Plante, OSBM

Provincial

For Sister Mary Grace, Holy Week 2020 was to be the threshold of her entrance into the life for which she yearned. Her last words to Sister Ruth, Provincial, were “I want to go to heaven.” In mid-afternoon of Holy Wednesday, April 8, 2020, she got her wish. She had received the Mystery of Holy Anointing earlier in that week, and so she was well prepared to meet Jesus to whom she had dedicated 63 years of her life.

Sister Mary Grace (Marion) was born in Dunmore, PA, the daughter of the late John and Mary Margaret (Lesko) Skuban. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil from St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Taylor, PA on October 1, 1957 and received her Final Profession of Vows on August 25, 1963 in the presence of the late Very Rev. Msgr. Basil Smochko.

As a Sister of St. Basil, Sister Mary Grace was called to a variety of ministries. Sister had been on the staff of Mt. Macrina Manor as an LPN in direct nursing care and later, in medical records. She had also served at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary, at Mt. Macrina House of Prayer, as Activities Director at St. Basil’s Home and as a substitute teacher. At the monastery, she served for a number of years as monastery sacristan, as well as assisting with the health care of the Sisters and in clerical and other supportive services.

Her final years were spent as a resident at Mt. Macrina Manor. At the Manor, until Sister Mary Grace was no longer able to do so, she participated in the Divine Liturgy and other services planned for the residents’ spiritual nourishment and refreshment. One cannot forget, either, her daily praying of the rosary. One of her requests was to have the rosary she prayed on with her on her final journey.

Sister enjoyed taking part in the activities offered at the Manor; she was a familiar figure at the sing-along on Sunday morning, and whenever there was Bingo, she was there, too. She was always quick to thank those who visited, accompanied by a smile and “God be with you!”

Following is a reflection Sister wrote upon completing a sabbatical program. “The Lord is my Shepherd . . . He takes care of me and my needs better than I can ever do myself. That He has such great love for me is really overwhelming! For this, I am most grateful. It gives meaning and purpose for my life’s journey . . . It lets me know I am solidly grounded in His love.” These thoughts, spoken from Sister’s heart are the best way to portray her life! Now she lives even more fully in a heavenly sabbatical!

Sister Mary Grace was preceded in death by her parents and her three brothers, John (Eleanor), Andrew (Julie), and Joseph (Kay). She is the last surviving member of her immediate family.

The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated privately in the Monastery Chapel on Tuesday, April 14, by Rev. Jerome Botsko, Monastery Chaplain. There will be no public viewing.

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

Easter 2020

CHRIST IS RISEN!   INDEED, HE IS RISEN!

Dear Friends,

As we prepare to celebrate the great feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, we want all of you to know that we are keeping you in our prayers each and every day.  We continue to celebrate the liturgical services in our monastery – being mindful, of course, of social distancing and other safety practices.

We have taken upon ourselves the privilege of praying for all those who will not be able to attend church services this Easter season.

One thing we human beings insist on having is control.  That’s not a terrible thing.  Our human nature requires a certain amount of security in order to bring our best to others.  But when the going gets tough, as it has during this time of the COVID-19 virus, control of our life usually gets wobbly, no matter how much we try to keep everything in order as we have planned.  When we are not sure about trusting what is going on, it is time to turn to the Risen One who does know more than we do. We may not like to admit this when we are invaded by overwhelming distress and grasping on to the thinnest straw of calmness.

This is a time to hold on to the words of Jesus to his disciples, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you”…”Do not be afraid, I am with you always”…  We all must dig a little deeper into our faith, trusting Our Risen Lord to be faithful to his promises and to share with us the joy of new life.

So, again, we proclaim with joy and faith:  CHRIST IS RISEN!  INDEED, HE IS RISEN!

With our love, prayers, and gratitude to all of you,

Sister Ruth & the Sisters of St. Basil

Dear Friends,

Because of the rapidly evolving health risks associated with COVID-19, for the protection of our Sisters, our employees and the public, the Religious Gift Shop and Mt. Macrina House of Prayer have been closed until further notice. General public access to Mount Macrina Manor nursing facility has been suspended until further notice.

We ask that you keep in touch with our Sisters at the monastery through phone and mail rather than visits.  We are grateful to God that there are no current cases of COVID-19 within our community of Sisters.

We are sorry for the impact this may have on you, and we thank you for your help and understanding during this time. We know that God gives us the grace we need to get through every difficulty and obstacle, and we rely on his help during this pandemic.

We ask that you join us in our prayers to Our Mother of Perpetual Help that she may intercede with her Son, the Divine Physician, to stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and challenges.

God is with us,

Sisters of Sisters Basil the Great

The Sisters of St. Basil of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province are planning a yearlong celebration to commemorate a Century of Ministry in the Byzantine Catholic Church in America.

Founded on January 19, 1921, the years of the Province closely parallel the years of our Church and its people.

Very Rev. Gabriel Martyak, Apostolic Administrator, invited Mother Macrina Melnychuk, who was Superior in Philadelphia at that time, to form a second branch of the Order to serve the people of Ruthenian descent. Mother Macrina and two other Sisters accepted this invitation to begin a new foundation for this purpose.

The initial help for the new foundation came from Father Joseph Hanulya, pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Cleveland, OH. Father provided a ten-room house which became the first formal novitiate. As did the others who came to this new land, they immediately went to work. Initially, the small community began caring for orphan children; later including teaching and catechesis.

The Greek Catholic Union played a significant part in the lives of the Sisters and the Greek Catholic faithful. In order to care for the many orphans, the GCU built St. Nicholas Orphanage in Elmhurst, PA. The Sisters responded to the call of the GCU to staff this institution. One wing became the living quarters for the Sisters. An increase in the number of orphans and new vocations necessitated another move, this time to Factoryville near Scranton, PA.

This third location was remote from any Byzantine parishes and clergy, so spiritual benefits were lacking. Thus, the Sisters began to look for a still more suitable locality. Financially, the purchase of lands or a building seemed impossible. The money painstakingly saved by the Sisters through the years had been totally lost in the bank failure during the great depression.

Once more, the Providence of Almighty God intervened, and this led to the final move. It is no secret that the acquisition of the Mt. St. Macrina property was made possible by the contributions of the people from what little they themselves had.  The year 1934 saw the beginning of a Phenomenon of God’s Grace, the Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Gathering people from all over the country and beyond, this event has held the Byzantine Catholic Church together, uniting her bishops, clergy, monastics and laity to a vision beyond parish or eparchy.

As schools were needed, the Sisters became professional educators to staff them. They published liturgical books with English translations from the Old Slavonic as the language changed.  The Vatican Council instructed the Church to renew, and they participated in programs of Renewal and Revitalization.  As the people moved westward and the Metropolitan Church was created, the Sisters have served in all four eparchies. Their ministerial significance in the life of our Church could go on and on and on.

The first and foremost sentiment of the Sisters for this unparalleled ministry for God, His Church and His People, is immense gratitude.  In being able to share so much in relationship with the hierarchs, clergy and people, they are gratefully aware that they have received much more than they have given. Through these many years, the lives of the Sisters and the people of our Church have beautifully intersected: in prayer, ministry, mutual support, and simply being together and for each other through times both good and difficult.

Sister Ruth, the Provincial, and the Sisters ask that everyone join them in thanksgiving and celebration. May God accept our efforts and our gratitude, and may He continue to abundantly bless us and everyone in His Church for the next 100 years!

Events for Anniversary Year

Mother Macrina

First Convent -Holy Ghost in Cleveland

Elmhurst-St Nicholas Orphanage

Factoryville

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!

Dear Friends AND Fellow Pilgrims,

How can we not be filled with joy after experiencing the peace and blessings of our

85^th Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help!

Each Pilgrimage is like a wonderful concert.  It begins as a single “note” as we meet to determine the theme of the pilgrimage.  During the following weeks and months, additional “notes” are added, creating the melody of celebrants, homilists, programs and speakers.  Come spring, the working “musicians” come to add their touch by cleaning, weeding, planting, organizing, ordering, and preparing the welcoming notes of hospitality in a spirit of service.

It all comes together with the arrival of our pilgrims from toddlers to teenagers, from young adults to seasoned seniors.  They all add their blend of prayers and praise, petitions and needs.  Finally, the spiritual concert rises from the prayerful grounds of Mount St. Macrina to the ears of Our Lord and his dear Mother, Cause of our Joy.

Thank you, sincerely, for being a part of this special “concert.”  May its beautiful strains continue to echo within you throughout this coming year.  Be assured that a daily prayerful “refrain” will be offered for you rising from the hearts of all of us, the Sisters of St. Basil.  We will await your return for the 86^th pilgrimage that will include a celebration of our century of service to the Byzantine Catholic Church.

With our love, prayers, and gratitude,

Sister Ruth Plante, Provincial

and the Sisters of St. Basil