News & Reflections

“There is cause for rejoicing here.” This sentence in the first letter of St. Peter to the Christian community aptly describes the celebration of jubilees and anniversaries in the
lives of the Sisters of St. Basil at Uniontown, PA. This year marked the Golden
Jubilees of Sister Ruth Plante, OSBM and Sister Elizabeth Jane Tepley,
OSBM.  Sunday, August 5^th, the prefestive day of the Feast of the Transfiguration, was chosen to mark their anniversary of entrance into the religious life.

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The Basilian Community gathered with Sister Vitalia Tomcho, OSBM, recently to commemorate her 103^rd birthday.  His Eminence, Archbishop William arrived to
celebrate the occasion with Divine Liturgy at Mount Macrina Manor. Chaplain
Father Michael Huszti concelebrated. Family members from Ohio and Texas joined in the festivities.

All gathered after the Liturgy for a special dinner in
Sister Vitalia’s honor.

Sister Seraphim Olsafsky, OSBM, Provincial Superior, thanked
Sister Vitalia for her long years of dedicated service and her life of
prayer.  Sister commemorated 80 years as a Sister of St. Basil last year, the first member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province to reach this milestone.

Early Sunday morning, May 13, 2012, Sister Vera Stanchec traveled peacefully to her final destination, the fullness of life with her God. Ninety-six years ago, Sister
Vera was baptized Olga following her birth to Michael and Eva Stanchec in Mt.
Carmel, Pa.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Basil in its early founding years, on July 10, 1932 in
Factoryville, Pa, from St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Hazleton, PA. For
eighty years, Sister Vera had followed her call to consecrated life as a Sister
of St. Basil the Great with a great deal of zeal and enthusiasm.

From 1936 through 1986, Sister Vera diligently ministered as a teacher and principal in both elementary and secondary levels in Trenton, NJ; Bridgeport, CT; Euclid, OH; Chicago, IL; and Erie, Uniontown, Homestead, Mont Clare, Freeland, Jessup, McKeesport and at Mount St. Macrina Academy, all located in Pennsylvania.

Sister Vera was particularly gifted in the areas of science and math. Sister received a Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University, and had the opportunity to
participate in a National Science Foundation in Biology special training
program for several years. Sister Vera extended herself to her students while
excelling in leadership skills. No task was ever too challenging for Sister;
she always commanded the same excellence of herself that she did of her staff,
and her students. To this day, many former students speak of her as being a
favorite teacher that they fondly remember, and to whom they owe a ‘debt of
gratitude’. Sister also served in the ministry of Provincial Administration as
councilor and secretary.

In 1986, Sister Vera ministered at Mt. Macrina Manor as receptionist along with other related works at the Manor. For the past eight years, Sister Vera was called to a more
contemplative period of her life, as she became less active, but not less
lively, as a resident of Mt. Macrina Manor. Sister Vera was loved by staff as a
pleasant, courteous, gentle, and prayerful woman. Sister never failed to
whisper a ‘thank you’ for every service rendered.

Sister Vera is survived by one sister, Ann Primiano, of East Rutherford, NJ, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her beloved brothers, John and Samuel, and two sisters, Mary, and Catherine.

Relatives and friends will be received at the MONASTERY CHAPEL on Tuesday, May 15 from 3:30 – 9:00 p.m.

The Parastas Service will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Reverend Andrew J. Deskevich, Chancellor of the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh on May 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the Monastery Chapel.

Interment will follow in the Dormition Section of Mount Macrina Cemetery. KEZMARSKY FUNERAL HOME, Uniontown, is in charge of arrangements.

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