June 2020
Turning 90
in a New Age
Sister Francesca Parana celebrated her 90th birthday on May 14 with a small gathering in the sisters’ community room at Mt. Assisi Place and a video chat (shown above) with family members – some who live far away – who could not visit due to precautionary restrictions. Sister Cecilia Jacko made two display boards so that Sister would see all of the birthday cards and photos she received, and Sister Roselyn Kuzma sat with her and read all of the well wishes left for her on our community’s Facebook page by friends and alumnae. “Happy birthday, Sister Francesca!” wrote Diane Schmitt Doyle (Mount Assisi Academy Class of 1978). “When we passed you coming in the halls, we were afraid to look at your feet. We thought they didn’t touch the ground. What a beautiful time in my life.”
Sister Francesca enjoys her birthday cake.
A Day to Remember
Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica marked her 80th birthday on June 5 in Rome with cake and a fitting opportunity for a photo with the original June 1940 wall calendar that once hung in the Ulica Family home in Farrell, Pa.

Mr. Ulica worked at the local Gulf Station and brought home a large calendar each year. Mrs. Ulica marked her daughter’s birth on this very same sheet. “My mother saved it for me, and I’ve been carrying it around ever since,” says Sister Jeanne Marie. “It’s still in pretty good shape, just like its owner.”
Celebrating in Style
Sister Yolanda Escamilla ushered in her milestone 70th birthday on May 23. The celebration included cake at home (top) and at Living Days Adult Day Care Center where she works, and dinner at Sea Island Shrimp House in San Antonio, Texas. Her family also stopped by (below) to offer socially-distanced well wishes outdoors.
A New Way to Associate
Our lay Associates in Bethlehem, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Texas and Arizona have adopted Zoom technology as a means to meet and communicate when physical meetings are not possible. About 30 Associates gathered virtually on May 21 (shown above) to catch up and share their perspectives on life during COVID-19. A virtual recommitment ceremony is set for 3:30 p.m. (EST) this Saturday, June 13. Associates should look for an important email sent to by Sister Barbara DeStefano and are reminded that recommitment forms are due back immediately to Sister Barbara. 

Sister Jo Goolish in her classroom
Highest Honors
Our own Sister Jo Goolish was nominated by St. Gerard Catholic High School and Regional Middle School as teacher of the year in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas. Sister has taught art at St. Gerard for 20 years and has added dual-credit courses through St. Philip’s College to her repertoire. She is sponsor of St. Gerard’s Art Club and National Honor Society branch and serves as facilitator of the school’s Academic Awards Night.
Anna Kleinschuster in 1942
Centennial Celebration
Anna Kleinschuster , mother of Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster and dear friend to our community, will celebrate her 100th birthday on June 20 with a drive-by parade through the courtyard at Monocacy Manor and of course, birthday cake (to go). Birthday cards are welcome – maybe even 100 of them – at:
Mrs. Anna Kleinschuster
395 Bridle Path Road
Bethlehem PA 18017
Upcoming
Birthdays

June 16
Sister Marguerite Stewart

June 19
Deb Neely

June 29
Joanne Pekarik

July 1
Heidi Moyer
Rev. Gary Walbert

July 6
Sister Kveta Vinklárková

July 13
Sister Barbara Brown

July 14
Betty Donovan

July 15
Sister Mary Xavier Bomberger
Barbara Fiedler
Sylvia Kwiatek

July 23
Jeff Hero

July 24
Sister Marie Therese Sherwood

July 25
Sister Karen Buco

July 26
Patricia Flemming
Upcoming
Feastdays

June 28
Sister Irene Novak

July 6
Sister Maria Derecola

July 12
Sister JoAnn Knaebel

July 15
Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster

July 26
Sister Ancy Francis
Sister Anece Salay
Sister Anita Kuchera
Sister Anne Kutch
Sister Ann Marie Yenca

July 29
Sister Mary Martha Zammatore