LifeQuesters on the Web Early Fall Edition 2013
Read about the 79th annual Pilgrimage and more in the LifeQuesters on the Web Early Fall 2013!
October 2013
Conference of Slovak Religious
The Conference of Slovak Religious met at Mount St. Macrina recently for their annual meeting. Eighteen sisters from various parts of the Eastern United States arrived Friday afternoon and gathered in the evening for the business meeting. Saturday morning began with singing Matins and Divine Liturgy together with the Sisters of St. Basil. A mini-pilgrimage experience followed, dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Sisters began by singing her Akathist in the monastery chapel and then proceeded outdoors to continue the prayer at the Lourdes Grotto. The next venue was the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the House of Prayer where they sang a memorial service, the Panachida, in remembrance of their deceased members. The members returned to the monastery for lunch with the Sisters who truly enjoyed the visitors.
This organization, the Conference of Slovak Religious, provides a forum for sharing among religious congregations and it elicits support for those who have members in Slovakia. The Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great are an international Order with Sisters in a dozen countries including two groups in Slovakia. The Uniontown Province has participated in the Conference for many years.
Mount Saint Macrina Academy Reunion
October 11-13, 2013
We look forward to welcoming the alumnae of Mount Saint Macrina Academy to the Mount. The following is the itinerary for the weekend:
Friday Evening
Arrival 6:00 (no dinner served)
Welcome & Snacks
Saturday
Continental Breakfast 9:00
Picture taking 11:30 For those wanting to take their own – no professional photos
Lunch 12:30
Meeting 2:00
Free time 4:00
Divine Liturgy 5:30
Light Supper 7:00
Snacks 9:00
Sunday
Beverages available 8:30
Brunch 10:30
Departure
Special notice:
Marie, daughter of Bernadette (Kaczmarek) Rohrer, would like your help to raise money for colon cancer recovery. Marie has battled MS for 29 years and now has to overcome her cancer. If you care to help, please google: give forward.com/killer cancer-Marie Rohrer or Give now(https://secure.giveforward.com/donate/542671). Marie’s mother Bernadette can be reached at 412-931-6287. Thank you.
September 2013
A Pilgrimage Thank You
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear Friends,
Thank you for participating in the 79th Pilgrimage honoring the Theotokos under the title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Many Pilgrims have commented on the sacred
and prayerful atmosphere which permeated the Mount during these days.
We Sisters sincerely believe that all of you, our cherished Pilgrims, bring with
you the irreplaceable manner in which you reflect the light of God’s Son. Your presence brings a little foretaste of the lasting peace and joy which will be the fullness of the heavenly Kingdom.
Over our 79 years of hosting the annual Pilgrimage, we the Sisters of St. Basil,
continuously acknowledge that without our Pilgrims, the Pilgrimage would not be
possible. Your presence lights up Mount St. Macrina and the shadow of your being casts a peaceful, prayerful glow over our Mount throughout the year. We pray that you carry with you a special mindfulness as being chosen to bring the dazzling light of God’s presence into a world darkened by turmoil and disbelief.
We sincerely thank you and offer our assurance that you will be held within the
depth of our prayers throughout this coming year. May Our Mother of Perpetual Help gently shelter your way.
With sincere gratitude in the Lord,
Sister Seraphim Olsafsky, OSBM
Provincial
79th Annual Pilgrimage Photos
The photo albums for the 79th Annual Pilgrimage are now online. To view the albums, please follow this link: 79th Annual Pilgrimage Photo Albums.
August 2013
79th Annual Pilgrimage – Friday Evening
The 79th Pilgrimage will start tomorrow morning. This evening many pilgrims were on the grounds and attended Matins. Enjoy our photo album featuring the beauty of Mount St. Macrina >>
Volunteers Contribute Time and Resources in Preparation for the Annual Pilgrimage
…Together we make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ…Ephesians 4:12
The Sisters of St. Basil the Great have been abundantly blessed with dedicated and hardworking volunteers as they prepare for the 79th Annual Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The 240-acre property needs lots of tender loving care for the many pilgrims who will visit Mount Saint Macrina over the Labor Day weekend.
“Preparations begin in the spring and continue throughout the summer. There is so much to do. Our volunteers help us with such tasks as planting flowers, cleaning, painting and so much more,” said Sister Carol Petrasovich, OSBM. Sister Carol is the Pilgrimage coordinator.
The first official clean-up day was Helping Hands Day and it was held on Sat., June 1 and sponsored by the Greek Catholic Union.
An annual event, Helping Hands Day, brings together GCU members and volunteers to weed and plant the floral gardens, urns, and other areas surrounding the shrines throughout the grounds. Other work included cleaning several pavilions of a winter’s worth of leaves and debris.
As the time of the Pilgrimage grows close, there are many volunteers throughout the community and friends of the Sisters who come to the Mount and help with preparations. The next organized event took place on Sat., Aug. 17. This time GCU members were joined by the Duquesne University Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams. The effort was coordinated by their coach Tom Slosky.
“We were delighted to have this outstanding group of young people come and help our efforts. This project was presented to them as a volunteer opportunity. It was not a mandatory project. The turnout was so impressive and we are so grateful,” added Sister Carol.
For the past few years, the Johnson family and other volunteers from nearby Morgantown, W.Va. have come to Mount Saint Macrina to lend a hand. The group attends Holy Protection Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Morgantown. They assist Sister Regina with cleaning and preparing the kitchen and dining area at the
Racetrack.
In October 2012, the Sisters lost two dedicated and long term Pilgrimage volunteers. John Harvey passed away on October 16 and John Dudas passed on October 30. In their honor, two men from New York and three men from New Jersey came the week prior to the Pilgrimage to assist the Sisters with last minute chores, such as delivering candles, paper supplies, communion stands and benches. They also work on minor repairs.
“These men worked with John Harvey and/or John Dudas during past Pilgrimages or on parish projects. So, they have come to help us in honor of their deceased friends,” said Sister Barbara Jean Milhalchick, OSBM.
The Associates have also been very helpful the preparation of the elements associated with the liturgical services. Some are helping Sister Ruth Plante at the Religious Gift Shop, others are working in the numerous gardens throughout the property and several worked on various clean-up projects.
“We open our hearts and welcome our volunteers who help us with this yearly project. For the faithful who are no longer able to help, we thank you for all your years of service. For those planning to give of their time and talents again next year, we will extend a warm welcome back. For those who have not been here before and are considering helping out next year, we ask for any amount of time that you can offer,” added Sister Carol.
“Everyone is so important and so appreciated. It would be nearly impossible to name each volunteer who contributes, but you know who you are and you know how thankful
we are that you are here with us,” added Sister Barbara Jean.
Annual Pilgrimage Featured in Our Sunday Visitor
The Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is one of four pilgrimages featured in the August 25 edition of Our Sunday Visitor. Read more >>
Pilgrimage Preparations
A Pilgrimage Preparation Day was held Saturday, August 17, with over 60 volunteers participating. Many preparatory tasks were accomplished and the grounds show the progress.
Half of the group arrived from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Mr. Tom Slosky, Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Running Teams, selected this as the service project of the summer for the young men and women. They contributed much, enjoyed it, and hope to return in the future! See the album of photos.
Community Days
The Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province gather each summer in Uniontown for retreat, community meetings and celebrations. The Provincial Administration plans the programs.Father Marcus Gomori gave the retreat July 29 – August 2, enriching the Sisters by viewing Gospel events with the aid of the Hebrew Scriptures, culture and religious traditions.
August 4 was the Jubilee celebration for the 50 Year Jubilarians. See separate blog and album.
Community meetings began August 5 with the Province report and updates from Sister Seraphim, followed by the Treasurer’s annual report, Pilgrimage planning and the Vocation Task Force report. The final day centered on a visioning project the Sisters are working on in phases, as well as the Missioning Ceremony that traditionally completes Community Week.
In the midst of these days, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Sisters also commemorated the 60th Anniversary of Religious Life of Sister Helen Schott, and the 70th Anniversary of Sister Gertrude Martin. In addition, many Sisters went to Mount Macrina Manor for a social event with our Sisters who are residents there.
The days were characterized with a spirit of gratitude and hope in the Transfigured Lord. The Sisters ever enjoy the opportunity to be together to appreciate each other’s giftedness, and to fill the chapel with the praises of the Lord and His Holy Mother.