“Sometimes we all want to be like a statue:
Always calm; always observer; always listening; always fearless and always inspiring. ”
— Mehmet Murat ildan (Turkish Writer)
Mother Mary of Mount Assisi
From 1928 to 2019, Mount Assisi Convent was home to our Sisters in Pittsburgh, Pa. Our community sold the property a year ago today, lovingly offering it new life as Mt. Assisi Place personal care home, where 12 of our Sisters still live. Several other Sisters still live nearby and coordinate Masses there in the chapel that has been the site of so many special celebrations. Many memories remain. In this original poem on this anniversary weekend, Sister Lorita Kristufek reflects on the statue of Mary (shown above) that overlooks the property even today.

Morning glimpses from the window in the early morning dawn,
Catch our faithful Mother Mary facing Mt. Assisi’s lawn.
Her silent presence watches and protects both one and all,
As visitors and workers come to make their “welcome call.”

She faces not just a building place, but all who dwell within,
A special place of personal care and precious folks with kin.
Mary’s been there through the ages, now it’s 59 some years,
That I’ve personally chatted with her in the midst of joy and tears.

She is our Queen and Mother, who shares her care and love,
And now we ask her, our dear Mother, for her Son’s blessings from above.
We ask for health and healing during COVID’s painful toll,
And we trust her intercession for healthy bodies, minds and souls.

At the buckeye there’ve been picnics, many a picnic through the years
Where friends and family gathered, near Mother Mary without fears.
Mt. Assisi’s lawns and flowers and its pine-shaded bowers,
A-gleam on the hilltop — guarded by Mary — from any harmful powers.

As our alma mater phrases in the song we hold so dear,
Mount Assisi is a beacon of light to all, both far and near.
And it’s our faithful Mother Mary who so beautiful, noble and true
Reminds us of so many mem ’ ries, especially mem ’ ries of you.
One-On-One with Our Sisters
As we endure the COVID-19 pandemic and other unrest in our country, our Sisters reflect on special Sundays, reveal what brings them strength and solace, and offer wise words to share with our friends in faith.
If you could spend a day anywhere right now without worry, where would it be?
“ If there were no fear of COVID and no restrictions, I would love to spend a day by the ocean, walking the shoreline and praying in awe at the vastness of this world. The waves crashing onto the beach is the most relaxing and refreshing experience for me.
I love to feel the water at my feet and wonder where the water was a month ago, a year ago, a century ago. Could some of those drops have been in the Jordan at the baptism of the Lord, or perhaps in the Red Sea when it parted? The cyclic nature of water reminds me of the everlasting forgiveness of God and how He recycles us time and again to newness of life. I can pray and meditate for days at the ocean. ”
—  Sister Frances Marie Duncan
What is a favorite activity that made Sundays special in your family home?
“I remember being tucked under my Daddy’s arms as he read the Sunday funnies to my brother Marty and myself, since we couldn’t read them ourselves. The Little King was our favorite ... a rounded triangle body with a tiny head.”
—  Sister Pat Marie Buranosky
Top left: Historical photo of the 1957 Communion class at Sacred Heart Church in Sagamore. Lower left: Sister Roselyn's parents, Joseph and Anna Kuzma. At right, the beloved Sacred Heart statue relocated to St. Mary's in Yatesboro.
The Sacred Heart of Sagamore
My dad was only 4 years old when his two younger brothers died three days apart in 1907. At that time, the local diocese was in the process of building Sacred Heart Church in Sagamore, Pa. My grandfather prayed and promised God that if his only son lived, he would buy the statue of the Sacred Heart for the church.

God spared my dad, and the Sacred Heart Statue stood in front of the church for many years. My dad took us on a yearly trip to see “his statue” and, of course, the town where he grew up. The church was wooden and had to be knocked down, but the statue was placed in St Mary, Mother of God Church in Yatesboro, Pa., along with all the records from Sagamore. 

Once we are free to travel, I want to go to Yatesboro and see my dad's statue and travel the few miles up the road to visit his favorite place, good old Sagamore! The pastor of St. Mary's wrote a story about my dad (click here to read it) and placed it on the wall by the statue for all to see. Some of my siblings still make trips there and thank God that He spared our dad.
—  Sister Roselyn Kuzma
A Statuesque Sunday Daytrip
We're all limiting our outings these days, even during these summer months we might otherwise spend visiting and vacationing. We recommend the videos above to transport you away on a virtual visit to the Museum of Divine Statues in Ohio and acquaint you with a skilled artisan who specializes in restoration of the religious statues like those our Sisters and fellow Christians hold so dear.
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Have you skipped a Sunday? All editions of Spiritual Sunday are available to read here .