News & Reflections

Having reached the venerable age of 101 this past November, Sister Martha (Mary) Dzura completed her earthly journey at about 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016. Very peacefully, she fell asleep in the Lord to whom she devoted almost 80 years as a Sister of St. Basil the Great.

The daughter of the late John and Eva (Kranack) Dzura, Sister Martha was born in Lambert, PA. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in the Greenfield section of Pittsburgh on July 15, 1937. She pronounced her First Vows on September 4, 1939 and made her Solemn Perpetual Profession on August 28, 1945 in the presence of the late Monsignor John Powell.

Over a half century of her religious life was dedicated to teaching in the many parish schools served by the Sisters, also serving as principal at the same time. During the span of her teaching career, Sister Martha was sometimes assigned to a previous school mission, and in this way, often taught three generations of the same family. In speaking at the Liturgy about Sister Martha’s life and ministry, Archbishop William alluded to the verse in Psalm 90 which reads: “Seventy is the sum of our years; or eighty, if we are strong.” Archbishop stated that in visiting the churches throughout the country, he met many who had been taught by the Sisters of St. Basil and are now leaders in their churches or communities. Sister Martha lived well over eighty years, so who can imagine the countless students she influenced who now lead productive lives.

Upon her retirement from the teaching ministry, Sister Martha returned to the monastery in Uniontown, where she helped in the Vestment Department as well as assisting office personnel with answering the phone. Sister Martha’s life of active ministry came to an end in March of 2004, when she took up residence at Mt. Macrina Manor due to declining health. In her personal wishes stating how she wanted to be remembered, Sister Martha made note of her love of teaching, her deep faith and her spirit of trust. She further stated, “I am deeply grateful to the Sisters for their prayers, support, kindness and patience offered to me during my illness.” Surely, Sister would have extended this same gratitude to all those who were her caregivers at Mt. Macrina Manor.

Sister Martha was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers John and Michael. In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her nephews Jack and Michael and their families. The Parastas Service was concelebrated on Sunday, March 6 by Rev. Michael Huszti and Rev. Stephen Wahal. Very Rev. Archpriest John G. Petro was in attendance. The Funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Monday, March 7 by Archbishop William Skurla with Rev. Michael Huszti as concelebrant. Interment followed in the Dormition Section of Mount Macrina Cemetery.

May God grant to his handmaiden, Sister Martha, eternal memory and peaceful repose.

Sister Barbara Jean attended the ordination of Deacon Lewis Rabayda to the holy priesthood last weekend at Epiphany of the Lord Church in Annandale Virginia.  It certainly was a joyous occasion and beautifully celebrated by family and parishioners and many clergy, along with Bishop Kurt of the Passaic Eparchy. I have given retreats at the Annandale parish a number of times and am always happy to return to this lively faith community.

Saturday morning began with the Divine Liturgy and ordination, followed by a dinner in the church hall.  Father Lewis and deacons served Vespers at 3:00 p.m. with the seminarians of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary cantoring. Another beautiful moment!

Sunday morning we gave thanks again as Father Lewis served the Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving with several concelebrants. Father Stephen Galuschick, also recently ordained, gave the homily.

The Pastor, Very Rev. John Basarab, spoke at the luncheon that followed and gave Father Lewis the gift of a complete sick call set, reminding him to get right to all the pastoral work before him.  The parish gave Father Lewis a large stuffed lamb, reminding him to shepherd the flock in the manner of the Good Shepherd.

The parish family was happily excited with this great occasion in their relatively new and beautiful church.   Axios! All promised their prayers……

Some of the Sisters and the Affiliates, and a few others, came together at the Mr. St. Macrina House of Prayer in Uniontown, Pa., on Sunday afternoon, December 13, 2015, for a Christmas Preparation Retreat. The House of Prayer, directed by Sr. Carol Petrasovch with assistance from Sr. Barbara Jean Mihalchick , is just one of the many works of mercy and piety run by the Sisters on their extensive property. Besides the monastery itself and the House of Prayer (which was the original monastery), they have a nursing home and a cemetery, and hostels for pilgrims who come for their annual Labor Day pilgrimage, and well as a gift shop. Shrines dot the landscape, and it seems that little coverts for prayer are everywhere. There was a Live Nativity on the grounds getting underway that day after the retreat.

The Sisters had invited Archimandrite George to speak to the group. He said he came with two main ideas to share, the first being the opening of Matthew’s Gospel, in which four women, all of whom had a whiff of scandal, if not outright sin, about them, and they still became ancestors of Jesus. The point being, God can still do great and wonderful things even with flawed people.

The second point had to do with the Word becoming flesh. Why? He proposed that God wanted a hug. We can wrap our arms around thin air all day long—and God, who is everywhere, would be in that embrace—but we know that human beings much prefer a tangible hug, the actual feel of another person. And so God “translates” the divine spiritual reality into the living language of humanity: the Word becomes flesh, and lives among us; even now, in the Eucharist.

The pilgrims had an opportunity to make Confession, and then concluded their prayers with a moleben in preparation for Christmas. The day was topped off with a lovely supper prepared by Sr. Carol.

Christmas Day of Prayer ( Presented by Sr. Marian Senish, CDP)

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, 9:15 a.m.—1:00 p.m. 

Offering: $30, includes lunch. Registration Due: Dec. 7

Christmas Day of Prayer (Presented by Msgr. George Appleyard)

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, 1:15 p.m.—5:00 p.m. 

Offering: $30, includes dinner. Registration Due: Dec.8

Call the House of Prayer at 724.438.7149 to register!

Mark your calendar for the annual Christmas Open House at the Mount St. Macrina Gift Shop – Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. & Tuesday, December 8, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Browse our selection of religious gifts, icons and inspirational Christmas cards.