News & Reflections

Sister Barbara Jean Milhalchick, OSBM spoke recently at St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church on the topic of “Breathing with Both Lungs: One Church, East and West” as part of the Adult Catholic Education Faith Formation Series, Cleveland Area.  Sister was asked to address this topic because Roman Catholics tend to have a limited understanding of the over 20 million fellow Catholics who belong to a variety of non-Roman Catholic churches which are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome.  Sister Barbara Jean elaborated on the history, spirituality and forms of liturgical celebration of various Eastern churches but especially of the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church.

Pope John Paul II repeatedly challenged the whole Church to “breathe with both lungs” of both Western and Eastern Christianity.  The evening included the DVD “A Brief Explanation of the Eastern Catholic Churches” produced by the Eparchy of Parma and a question and answer session. About 110 people attended from both Eastern and Western Catholic Churches.

The House of Prayer has announced upcoming programs for Fall 2012.  For further information, please call 724-438-7149.

Book Series (Oct. 22 & Nov. 5, 12, 19 – 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) Presented by: Sr. Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM.  Registration due: Oct. 17.  Free will offering.

Women’s Weekend Retreat (Oct. 26-28, 7 p.m. on Fri. – 1 p.m. on Sun.) Presented by: Sr. Carol Petrasovich, OSBM.  Registration due: Oct. 22.  Offering: $130.00.

Busy Women’s Morning Retreat (Nov. 10 – 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)  Presented by Janet Escobedo.  Registration due: Nov. 5.  Offering: $15, includes lunch.

Egg Etching Retreat (Nov. 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)  Presented by Sr. Rita Keshock, OSBM. Registration due: Nov. 10. Offering: $40, includes lunch.

Pre-Christmas Day (Dec. 8, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)  Presented by James Hess O. Carm. Registration due: Dec. 3.  Offering: $25, includes lunch.

Pre-Christmas Day (Dec. 9, 1:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.) Presented by Sandra Collins, Ph.D.  Registration due: Dec. 4.  Offering: $25, includes supper.

To each of us St. Paul puts the question:  “Are you not aware that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

We make Pilgrimages because our hearts are filled with longing – longings to love
and be loved, longings to be treated with dignity, and to live in peace and
justice.  We travel on Pilgrimage because our unsettled hearts are in search of the Holy One who alone can bring us the complete fulfillment of all our desires.

Meanwhile, we will wake up on Tuesday morning and find that, as always, we will be rubbing shoulders and sharing our day with the same family, coworkers and friends.   We are called to bear each other’s burdens in love, whether we find it easy or difficult, because we are connected to one another in the same Divine Source.  As followers
of Jesus, there is no such thing as “your” problem” as yours is mine.  (R. Barron) Throughout each day, in some degree, we are called to help each other to our eternal destiny.  We can only accomplish this by seeing our neighbors and loved ones through the eyes of awe and respect.

C.W. Lewis writes that “You and I have never talked to a mere mortal…  those whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and even exploit are immortal beings with whom we are called to live forever.”  In this world, there are no
ordinary people.

Next to Lord Jesus whom we receive in the Divine Liturgy, your neighbor, your
friend, your beloved spouse or child, is the holiest object you will ever encounter
in this world.

Our lives are not just about us, because they are always related to the infinite
mystery of God, and the fulfillment of His divine plan.

The Sisters of St. Basil, and the Basilian Associates,  thank you Metropolitan Archbishop William, Bishop John, Bishop Gerald, and Rev. Edward Cimbala,
Rev. Archpriests, Rev. Fathers, Deacons, Seminarians, Cantors, Ushers, loyal employees, our generous benefactors, gracious volunteers, and all of you, our brother and Sister Pilgrims.

We thank you for sharing these moments and hours of your lives.  You bless Mount
St. Macrina with your prayers and your holy presence.  May the Lord keep you safe an give you His peace throughout the coming year.

Remember always that “you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you”.

You are not ordinary, for you a royal priesthood, you are the people of God.

– Closing Remarks from Sister Seraphim at the 78th Annual Pilgrimage

The 78th Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the story of Mount St. Macrina was featured on the television show Pittsburgh Live Today on KDKA, Tuesday, August 28. Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM, and volunteer Laura Santore were be interviewed. Watch the segment here.

The Sisters of St. Basil wish to thank all who participated in the pre-Pilgrimage work day on August 18.  We truly appreciate all of the efforts and hard work expended to prepare the Mount for the Pilgrimage.  The buildings are sparkling and the grounds are an array of color.

View the photos of our work day here.