Sisters Regina Ann Rokosny, Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster, M. Virginelle Makos and Roseann Velas are ready to receive patrons at Monocacy Farm's 2021 Pick-Your-Own opening day on June 12. |
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Farm in Full Swing
The team at Monocacy Farm Project in Bethlehem, Pa., is already seeing the fruits
of their labor, with a successful Spring on the Farm event in May and the Pick-Your-Own produce program in full swing three days a week. Click the buttons below
to view a pair of fun photo galleries filled with scenes from the farm.
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Making It Official
After much preparation, our own Sister Gracy Kundukulam passed her U.S. citizenship exam earlier this year and was officially sworn in as a citizen of the United States on April 28. The ceremony was kept small due to COVID restrictions, but our congratulations for Sister Gracy sure are big!
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Grown-Up Graduate
This will make you feel old! Pretty Shongwee, who was raised by our Sisters at St. John Mission in South Africa and who has spent the past several years living with the Beam Family near Pittsburgh, graduated from Walsh University in Ohio on May 8, with a degree in professional education.
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Sisters share celebratory laughter during a gathering at Kendall House on April 18 to wish Sister Adelina Garcia a happy 70th birthday. Sister was in town for the first session of the Provincial Chapter. |
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Big Cheers for Our Birthday Girls
We rarely miss an opportunity for cake, and our Sisters have had several special reasons to celebrate of late. Well wishes were in order on April 23 as Sister Adelina Garcia marked her 70th year. On June 16, the Sisters at Monocacy Manor honored Sister Marguerite Stewart on her 90th birthday. The fun continued on June 20 when the Sisters in Bethlehem helped Anna Kleinschuster, Sister Bonnie Marie's mom, celebrate her whopping 101st birthday! The spotlight will next shine on Sister Karen Buco, who will turn 80 on July 25.
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Sister Marguerite Stewart gleefully unwraps presents during her 90th birthday celebration at Monocacy Manor on June 16. |
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Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster shows her mom, Anna, the beautifully-decorated cake to be cut at Monocacy Manor in honor of her 101st birthday. |
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The room at St. Francis Center for Renewal where Sister Margurite Stewart will conduct spiritual direction nears completion as part of the Center's summer renovations. |
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Changes Afoot at SFCR
Renovations are seeing steady progress at St. Francis Center for Renewal in Bethlehem, Pa., where the retreat team has moved almost entirely to the second floor as part of its new business model and to make way for St. Constantine School of the Lehigh Valley moving in this summer.
The school for grades one through five is laying its administrative groundwork, occupying most of the first floor in preparation to open for the 2022-2023 school year. SFCR will continue to serve retreatants with a full array of day and evening programs, and will begin to include smaller overnight retreats in the future. The Center was delighted to welcome back in-person programming on June 1, but will continue to offer online retreats and program options over Zoom, as it did throughout the pandemic.
New office spaces were configured for the retreat team, and fresh common areas have been set up to provide a welcoming environment for patrons. Fresh paint, new carpeting and thoughtful placement of furniture and décor have all been part of the mix. "Things are really starting to take shape around here," says Maryann Kearns, program coordinator and lay associate.
As part of the downsizing, SFCR hosted a huge yard sale last month to liquidate furniture, decorations and other materials that are no longer needed. Bargain shoppers were able to take home items to accent their homes, as well as spiritual materials.
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Gala to Honor
Everyday Heroes
St. Francis Center for Renewal's 11th annual Star Struck Gala & Silent Auction will return to its in-person format this summer by shining a light on the everyday heroes in our lives, especially those who rose to the challenges of the pandemic.
With the theme Heroes Among Us, the 2021 Gala will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 21, in Mullen Hall at Monocacy Manor. Tickets are $50 per person. A virtual silent auction will run online from August 15 to 28.
Mary Beth Kline Mulicka will receive this year's Women of Strength award, while Audrey Bova will be honored as the 2021 Troubadour of Light. For complete event details and to learn more about the honorees, click here.
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Around the Province
We've captured some great images of our Sisters at work and play in recent months. What better way to take a quick trip around the Province than to view the pictures in a single slideshow? See it by clicking below.
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Bodies in Motion
A handful of our Sisters at Monocacy Manor revel in afternoon exercise sessions conducted three times a week by Villa Clare aide Marge Roncoloato. Get in on the fun with an entertaining photo gallery of Sisters in motion.
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July-September 2021
July 1: Rev. Gary Walbert
July 1: Heidi Moyer
July 13: S. Barbara Brown
July 15: S. Mary Xavier Bomberger
July 15: Barbara Fiedler
July 15: Sylvia Kwiatek
July 23: Jeff Hero
July 24: S. Marie Therese Sherwood
July 25: S. Karen Buco
July 26: Patricia Flemming
August 1: Brian Kirk
August 2: Tina Demyan
August 4: S. Maria Derecola
August 10: Patricia Minford
August 11: S. Roselyn Kuzma
August 12: S. Virginia Rose Carroll
August 13: S. Mary Lou Metro
August 13: Ruth Gesselberty
August 15: S. Carol Ann Papp
August 15: Helen Keith
August 17: S. Denise Olshausky
August 19: Linda Walbert
August 31: Maggie Parrish
September 3: S. Loretta Motko
September 6: Janice Briggs
September 8: Mercedes Saldutti
September 9: Stan Duncan
September 13: S. Joyce Burkhart
September 15: S. Grace Chermack
September 15: S. JoAnn Knaebel
September 25: Barbara Miller
September 26: S. Eve Blostic
September 27: S. Dorothy Bucko
September 27: S.M. Bernadette Kelleher
September 27: Helen McComb
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July-September 2021
July 6: S. Maria Derecola
July 12: S. JoAnn Knaebel
July 15: S. Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster
July 26: S. Ancy Francis
July 26: S. Anne Kutch
July 26: S. Anece Salay
July 26: S. Anita Kuchera
July 26: S. Ann Marie Yenca
July 29: S. Mary Martha Zammatore
August 4: S. Jeanne Marie Ulica
August 20: S. Virginia Rose Carroll
August 22: S. Regina Ann Rokosny
August 22: S. Joyce Burkhart
August 23: S. Rosemarie Bartnicki
August 23: S. Roseann Velas
August 25: S. Roselyn Kuzma
August 26: S. Mary Lou Metro
September 4: S. Rosalia Giba
September 8: S. Marian Sgriccia
September 27: S. Dorothy Bucko
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A Blessed Spring
Our 2021 Spring Raffle saw unprecedented response and support from our benefactors. All 3,333 tickets sold out in less than two weeks, raising more than $8,000 in revenue! Beyond that, we received another 192 orders for 1,475 tickets that we could not fulfill! Many were generous and told us to keep their ticket order money or raffle winnings, on our way to raising more $19,000 in donations. We were truly blessed by so many this spring.
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1971 SFA Skylarks Mark 50 Years
Eight members of the St. Francis Academy-Texas Class of 1971 gathered on May 15 at Ida Claire Restaurant in San Antonio to celebrate their 50th reunion. The group remembered fellow Skylarks who have passed on, as well as those who could not attend. “We give thanks for the devoted lives of our beloved nuns, the School Sisters of St. Francis, and our families, whose generosity nurtured us as we grew,” says Irene Patty Garza Murnin. She and Patricia Caballero Clark organized the event.
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Thank you for your generous collection during Catholic Sisters Week in response to the Food Insecurity Challenge. The boxes of food, gift cards and cash donations were such a blessing to our Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry! We are currently serving about 45 families twice a month. Nearly half are senior citizens who are on a fixed income. A few extra bags of food and some gift cards really help them to make it through the month.
— Mary Jo Robbins
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Pittsburgh
I remember, as novices, carrying the entombed Jesus to the chapel at Mount Assisi from its hidden place under the Sacred Heart statue. At least I think that’s where it was 50 years ago!
Arlene McGannon (Former Member | MAA 1970)
— Arlene McGannon (former member)
Ruskin, Fla.
I was at The Mount in 1964 as a postulant and novice and then as a Sister. They were the best days of my life. I had many friends and day-student friends, as well (which wasn’t allowed). Some days were strict. But when I look back on it, the punishments weren't that bad. It made you stronger and helped me to get over my shyness. Thank you, Sisters, for all you did.
— Mary Lenore Walters Hancock
(former Sister Susan) Freeport, Pa.
Please pass on my thank you to Kathy Helfrich-Miller for her remembrance of my sister, Sister Claire. It was thoughtful and appreciated. Yes, she died way too young before she had a chance to exercise all her potential. She was musical, organized, artistic, smart and had curly hair, which I coveted! She was my older sister, and I fondly recall her visits, along with Sister David (Barbara Ann Webster), whom I had the occasion to see at Sister Carolyn's 70th jubilee. Sister Carolyn was my first grade teacher, and we kept in contact. This past Christmas, she received my gifts and opened them early ... a week before she passed away.
— Annette Krzysiek Thompson
Gilbertsville, Pa.
While I was very happy to receive one of the raffle prizes, it will make me just as happy to return half to you. As a native of Bellevue, I’m very grateful for the presence of your community there for many years. I’m grateful, as well, for my dear friend who attended your academy – great women, all of them. God bless you all.
— Rev. Robert Miller
Our Lady of the Valley Parish
This year I am sending a gift in memory of both my dear mom, Mary Dobransky, and my husband, Joseph Stelmack, whose presence in my life was a gift and blessing. I think of you all often and hope all is well. I owe you all a visit, and as our COVID restrictions lift, I hope that such a visit will materialize.
— Joan Stelmack
McMurray, Pa.
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All of you have given me so much, for almost 40 years and I could never give you enough to pay back. Love and prayers to all of you.
— Mary Anne Marakovits
Northampton, Pa.
I spent the best years of my life at St. Mark’s Catholic School in McKees Rocks, Pa. I recently stumbled over an article that named so many Sisters who had died since 2012. I knew so many. They taught me, formed me, loved me and were the biggest influence on who I am today. Rest in peace, Sisters Mercedes, Electa, Anna Marie, Lawrence, Bernard, Assumpta, Iranaeus. Well done, good and faithful servants.
— Charles Medwid Collier
We were quite surprised to find a check in our mailbox indicating a winning raffle ticket from your Spring Raffle. Such an unexpected gift. Thank you for sending the good news to us. We would like to donate half ($350) of the gift back to the Sisters. In San Antonio in the 1960s, the Sisters were very close and kind to my family. My parents were especially close to Sister Martina Antalek, and I still pray to her asking for help and protection for my own family. Please keep our family in your daily prayers. May God continue to bless your community abundantly.
— Henry Sepulveda
Sacramento, Calif.
Enclosed is a check for $1,000 in memory of our dear sister Patti (Mount Assisi Academy Class of 1966). The Gerwell Family thank you more than you will ever know for the prayers, cards, candles, masses, etc. Patricia passed the day after her birthday. I sang Happy Birthday in my best possible voice. Martha (former Sister Jude) sang on the phone in her most heavenly voice. Don’t know if she heard us. I’m sure God has other plans for all of us. He’s the boss. It’s hard to accept but we can’t do anything about it other than thank him for the time we had with her. We do miss her and other members of our passed family. I and the rest of our remaining Gerwell Family want to thank all of you for your prayers, thoughts and everything else. May God bless all of you and keep you in good health. Enjoy life to the fullest.
— Annette Gerwell (MAA 19xx)
McKees Rocks, Pa.
I recently met with Shirley Gottschalk, who spoke of your service to God and the needs of his people. She brought me back to the Sisters of St. Francis and many memories. I was blessed to be in the first graduating class of 1959 at St. Patrick’s Grade School in Canonsburg, Pa. I have fond memories of the Sisters who provided me with a strong foundation in my faith. I share many memories with friends and family of the Sisters who taught me, especially of Sister Ladislaus and Sister Grace. May God continue to bless you.
— Rosemary Vulcano
McMurray, Pa.
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Preparing for Mass
Dutiful postulants (from left) Marie (Sister Eileen) Berdis, Dorothy Sinchak, Martha (Sister Amata) Shina, Helen Strike and Elizabeth (Sister Carolyn) Mitrichka prepare the altar for Mass attended by the student body of Mount Assisi Academy in 1946.
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