JANUARY 2021
United in Prayer
Our St. Francis Center for Renewal will have an active part in helping people everywhere observe the Week of Prayer for Christian United from January 18 to 25. The retreat team has partnered with friends in faith throughout the Lehigh Valley to host daily online prayer services beginning Monday, January 18. Each day at 11:30 a.m., you can connect via Zoom for 25 minutes of music and prayer led by different prayer leaders each day, our Sisters among them. The full schedule is below:

  • JANUARY 18: Called by God: “You did not choose me but I chose you.” (John 15:16a) led by Rev. Anthony Mongiello of St. Anne Catholic Church in Bethlehem and Rev. Christine Nelson, formerly of Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem.

  • JANUARY 19: Maturing Internally: “Abide in me as I abide in you.” (John 15:4a) led by Rev. Sandy Birchmeir of United Proclamation of the Gospel in Bethlehem, Pa., and Gena Tallarico, executive director of St. Francis Center for Renewal.

  • JANUARY 20: Forming One Body: “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12b) led by Sister M. Virginelle Makos and Victoria Seal of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansdale.

  • JANUARY 21: Praying Together: “I do not call you servants any longer … but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15) led by Debbie Stevenson of St. John United Christian Church in Easton and Carole Chuk of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Whitehall.

  • JANUARY 22: Letting Oneself Be Transformed by the Word: “You have already been pruned by the word…” (John 15:3) led by Sister Marguerite Stewart and Joan Witiak of Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

  • JANUARY 23: Welcoming Others: “Go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” (John 15:16b) led by Mother Laura Howell of St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church in Emmaus.

  • JANUARY 24: Growing in Unity: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (June 15:5a) led by Sisters Anita Kuchera and Barbara DeStefano.

  • JANUARY 25: Reconciling with All of Creation: “So that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) led by Pastor Candy LaBar of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bethlehem and Jerry Herauf of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in Northampton.

To register, please click the button below. You will be directed to register on Zoom. A unique link to join the meeting will be emailed to you within 48 hours of the program. This same link will be used throughout the Week of Prayer, whether you attend all days or only one.
Sister Anita
Sister Marguerite
Sister Barbara
Sister M. Virginelle
Gena Tallarico
Sisters Await
Vaccine Rollout
A handful of our Sisters have already received the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their ministry work or by way of programs in their local areas that have made it available to specific populations. However, most of our community is still awaiting word on when it will be “their turn.”
 
Our Sisters at Mt. Assisi Place have just learned that they will be receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on January 22, as part of Pennsylvania's Phase 1A for long-term care facilities. A team of healthcare professionals from CVS Health will administer the vaccines, returning on February 12 to offer the second dose.
 
Sister Frances Marie Duncan receives periodic updates from the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, which advocates for religious communities. Look for timely information from her and your local ministers going forward. As the country progresses into Phase 1B of vaccine distribution – which includes congregate living – you might receive individual notices from your own healthcare provider about eligibility.
Pictured above is the Nativity at the Generalate in Rome after the Three Kings were added for Epiphany. “Instead of a grotto, we have a Bedouin tent, the work of a leather artisan from Assisi,” explains Sister Nancy Celaschi. “He made the tent in a triangular shape to recall the Trinity.”
Scenes of the Season
Sister Dorothy Bucko unwraps a warm and cozy gift at Monocacy Manor.
Sisters Barbara DeStefano and Anita Kuchera show off sweet-smelling gifts.
Sisters in Bethlehem, Pa., open gifts around the large tree in the Reception Room at Monocacy Manor.
An Advent wreath and small tree welcome holiday visitors to the Provincial Office in Pittsburgh.




Sisters Yolanda Escamilla and Jo Goolish pose in the glow of the Nativity outside their home in San Antonio, Texas.
On Christmas Eve, the Sisters at Mt. Assisi Place were joined in prayer and in the traditional sharing of oplatky by their friends from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
January-March 2021

January 1: S. Ancy Francis
January 11: S. Lois Jean DiFalco
January 11: S. Anece Salay
January 15: S. Anita Kuchera
January 15: S. Jean Makovsky
January 16: Laurie Merwin
January 21: Joyce Bogusky
January 23: S. Cecilia Jacko
January 24: Shirley Briody
January 27: S. Francine Garganta
January 31: S. Pat Marie Buranosky
February 2: S. Hilda Marotta
February 2: Jeanne Kocian
February 6: Armandina Garcia
February 17: Maryann Kearns
February 18: Bonnie Graboski
February 24: S. Frances Marie Duncan
February 24: S. Donna Pusch
February 27: Jeff Kammersell
February 28: S. Amata Shina
March 1: S. Patricia Ann Mahoney
March 3: S. Nancy Celaschi
March 7: Cristina Ventura
March 9: S. Rosaria Shina
March 10: Joan Foerst
March 12: S. Gracy Kundukulam
March 25: Doreen Santia
March 30: Gloria Upanavage
January-March 2021

January 15: S. Jean Makovsky
February 2: S. Hilda Marotta
March 16: S. Amata Shina
March 17: S. Pat Brennan
March 17: S. Patricia Ann Mahoney
March 19: S. Jo Goolish
March 25: S Nancy Celaschi
March 25: S.M. Virginelle Makos
In the Birthday Spotlight
Special birthday wishes are in order for Sisters Amata Shina and Gracy Kundukulam, who will celebrate milestones in the weeks ahead. Sister Amata will mark her 90th on February 28, followed by Sister Gracy turning 50 on March 12. May you enjoy your blessed birthdays, Sisters!
Reminder for Our Associates
In lieu of their regular January Zoom meeting, our Associates are reminded to register for Francis & the Wolf of Gubbio: Life Lessons for 2021, an online program led by our own Sister Barbara Brown at
7 p.m. on Thursday, January 21. The regular program donation is $20, but our Associates are invited to attend for free, with the option of making a freewill offering. Click here to register online by January 19. To make a donation, please click here.
Sisters Elaine Hromulak and Mary Traupman, along with Regis Miklos, offer a house blessing at the Mt. Nazareth Commons apartment of Sister Carol Ann Papp.
Traditional Blessings for a New Year
At Mt. Nazareth Commons in Pittsburgh, where Sisters Elaine Hromulak and Carol Ann Papp reside, a House Blessing was offered to residents on January 3. Residents were asked to have their apartment door open around 11:15 a.m., as Sister Mary Traupman and resident Regis Miklos would come around with a prayer, a blessing and the official writing of the chalk inscription on the doorframe: 20+C +M+B+21. “It is comforting to know that these long-time traditions are still being carried out,” says Sister Carol Ann.
Vanessa Velasquez (SFA-Texas 1999) will be a featured speaker at SA2020: The Collective on January 29. The event is a day of community-driven learning designed to inspire community-driven action in San Antonio, Texas. Vanessa is a scout leader, master naturalist and professional photographer. See her work here.

Paula Ann Kentner Kaspar (SFA-Texas 1968) died of Covid-19 on December 26 in Austin, Texas. Read obituary
Let’s Combat Hunger
Food insecurity has ramped up incrementally in our country since the onset of the pandemic. Our Province is joining other communities of women religious in taking on the Challenge to End Food Insecurity set forth by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Region IV.
 
Each of our mission homes will coordinate an activity – a food drive, cash or gift card donation drive, volunteer effort, etc. – during Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14, 2021.
 
Local homes are reminded to submit to Sister Frances Marie Duncan by Friday, January 22, their plan to participate, as well as the names of food banks or organizations in their areas that help to combat food insecurity.
A Little Humor
In a note included with her $3,000 year-end donation to our India mission: As always, it is in memory of Sister Marcelline Goceljak. She probably never realized she was so instrumental in my life. My love of science and discovery is in large part due to her.
— Helene Yosko
Culver City, Calif.

Thank you for your many years of ministry to the Church of St. Mary in Closter, N.J. (Sister Georgette), St. Mary Parish School and Catholic Academy of the Northern Valley (Sisters Roseann, Jeanne Marie, Roselyn and Anne and in loving memory of Sister Aurelia), and love and prayers to all the other sisters who have hosted us, known us and loved us so well – especially Sisters Bernie Marie and Lorita. We miss you all and pray for you, especially during this trying time.
— Tom & Pam Derfus
Closter, N.J.

Thank you very much for sending me your Thanksgiving newsletter. I enjoyed reading it and remembering many good times together. Greetings to all who remember me. I am thankful for the smiles as I see the familiar names – Sister Lois Jean, Sister Francesca, Sister Jo, Sister Rosalia. Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed Christmas.
— Sally Yagi
Osaka, Japan

Please send my regards to Sister Denise Olshausky. She was such a warm and caring person, and I think of her often. I wish her all the best during the holidays and in the new year.
-- Carmen Rocha Ramos
SFA-Texas Class 1978
On December 18 I marked my 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. At that time, a number of School Sisters were present, as this period coincided with the General Chapters taking place in Rome. On December 19, I celebrated my First Mass at the Generalate Chapel in the midst of your community. Thanks again for the long-time influence of many of your Sisters (especially who served in Clymer) who, I truly believe, nurtured my imagination in how to be close to God’s People in serving as a priest. Blessings to you all, COVID notwithstanding.
-- Msgr. James Gaston 

In response to the passing of Sister Carolyn Mitrichka: I loved Sister Carolyn! She was my first organ teacher, and also taught me a great deal about the Liturgy in the early days after the Second Vatican Council. My senior recital for my MFA in Sacred Music was dedicated to her. Sister changed my life and gave a direction to it that she could have never imagined when she gave a precocious little fifth grader his first organ lesson! Thank you, Sister! May you join the angelic choir and experience the fullness of healing, peace, joy, and love! With my grateful love, Jimmy.
-- Father Jordan Kelly
Rhode Island

I attended St. Anthony School in Webster, Mass., and remember Sisters Marcia, Joyce, Timothy, Patrick (she was fun!), Ladislaus, Ludmilla, Christina Demchak and Raphael. They all taught two grades at a time in one classroom! This was the 1960s and 1970s.
-- Anonymous via Facebook
Vintage Photos
& Fond Memories
Sister Carol Ann Papp shared this 1980s photo of an enthusiastic group of younger Sisters "building on their future." All stacked up are (from bottom) Sisters Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster, Frances Marie Duncan, Eileen Henrion (former member), Roseann Velas, Maria Derecola, Anne Kutch and Carol Ann.
In this undated photo, Sisters Damian Baloga, Susanne Cherny and Norberta Kralosky catch up over coffee.
Sisters Karen Buco and Georgette Dublino prepare for the 1995 Spring Festival at Mount Assisi Convent.
Sisters Marian Sgriccia, Eve Blostic, Anna Catherine Melichar, Barbara Giba, Frances Jacko and Elaine Hromulak celebrate Jubilee in 1993.
Music Across the Miles
The Catholic Community of St. Matthias compiled this video of its musical performances offered amid the extraordinary circumstances of 2020. Our own Sister Marie Therese Sherwood lends her voice to a collective chorus of Breath of Heaven at about the 14:45 mark (see lower center of your screen).
In Praise of
Catholic Teachers
Local celebrities in the Pittsburgh area collaborated on this video giving thanks to the Catholic school teachers that our country counts among its essential workers. Northside Catholic Assumption Academy, home of Sister Carol Ann Papp, is located in the City of Pittsburgh.
Of Interest for Our Sisters
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