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 >>
August 2013
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.
Golden Jubilarians: A Quartet of Harmony
Sun., 
Aug. 4 was a day of gratitude and celebration for the Sisters of St. Basil at
Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa.: gratitude for the four Sisters celebrating their Golden Jubilee of religious life and celebration of their combined 200 years of ministry in our Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church.
The Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving was concelebrated by Very Rev. Archpriest John G. Petro and Very Rev. David Hannes. A host of family and friends joined the community in honoring the four Jubilarians, Sister Margaret Ann Andrako, Sister Sylvia Burnett, Sister Susan Harvey and Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick.
Pilgrimage Preparation Day – August 17
The Sisters of St. Basil are in need of help with
last minute Pilgrimage preparations.
Date: August 17, 2014 (Rain date: August 24)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Meet at Trinity Center at Mount Saint Macrina
What to bring: Brooms, weed whackers, blowers, weeding tools, rakes and clippers
(Lunch will be provided)
For further information, please call Sr. Carol, Pilgrimage Coordinator, at 724-438-7149 or email her at hpmsm@verizon.net.
**********************************************************************************
Pilgrimage Camping
Pilgrims camping on the grounds of Mount Saint Macrina can download the Camper
Registration and Guidelines at www.sistersofstbasil.org/pilgrimage. Your completed form and payment will be collected upon your arrival at Mount St. Macrina.
July 2013
LifeQuesters on the Web – Summer 2013 edition
Read LifeQuesters on the Web – Summer 2013 edition Check out our upcoming events and the Pilgrimage schedule and more news.
INSTALLATION OF NEW GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
There was an atmosphere of joy and celebration as the members of the General Chapter gathered in the Chapter hall to prepare for the installation of the new General Administration. Bearing their lighted candles, the Sisters and past administration led Sister Dia Stasiuk, General Superior; Sister Lydia Anna Sawka, Vicar; and Councilors, Sister Mariela Rotzen, Sister Daniela Stefkova and Sister Nazariya Mykhaylyuk into the Chapel for Vespers.
The installation took place before the singing of “O joyful Light,” during which Sister Miriam Claire, past General and her Council handed over the symbols of office to Sister Dia and her Council. Sister Miriam Claire offered words of support, fidelity and love to the incoming administration with an assurance of the prayers of all. No significant celebration in the Order is complete without gifts and flowers, and these were lovingly presented to the newly-elected General Superior and her Council.
Since God chose to place the seal of approval on this joyful gathering with rain and thunder, the banquet which followed took place under the protection of the covered part of the courtyard rather than in the courtyard proper. Nonetheless, there was no dampening of spirits in the festivities.
The Chapter will conclude its work on Wednesday, July 24, 2013.
Photos >>
79th Annual Pilgrimage
The Pilgrimage Invitation Brochure 2013 is now online.
10th General Chapter Opens
With great solemnity, the Opening Divine Liturgy for the 10th General Chapter of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great was celebrated by Archbishop Cyril Vasil, Secretary of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in Santa Sofia. A ceremony designed by the Preparatory Commission preceded the Liturgy. Sister Miriam Claire, General Superior, and her Council presented each of the Capitulars and the assisting staff with a prayer shawl on which was emblazoned the Chapter Symbol, the Chapter dates and the country represented. This prayer shawl was designed as a symbol of the unity of the participants.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the participants received a lighted candle and in procession made their way back to the Chapter Hall. After a brief discourse, Archbishop Cyril Vasil blessed the Chapter hall, each Sister, and then called each by name. Each Sister then placed her candle before the symbols which had been placed on the stage. This concluded the opening ceremony and was followed by a festive meal shared in joy by all.
Order Your Copy of “How Is God Calling You?”
Get your own copy of “How Is God Calling You?” featuring the Sisters of St. Basil. For further details visit “How Is God Calling You?”