SISTERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Painting by Sister Mary Richard Mehelich, SHS

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

(Isaiah 26:4) Trust In The Lord

Barely a day goes by that the Lord And if we look behind us, each of us doesn’t invite each of us, in some way, will likely see a life’s journey in which to walk on water: to trust where he we’ve walked on stormy water many calls us to go, the path he sets out for times — times in which we’ve been our journey. afraid and started to sink — times when the Lord has helped us make Many are the days when each of us safe passage. takes at least a small, tentative step, in faith, walking on the troubled waters (Homily from Mt. 14:22-33 by Very Rev. of our lives. Robert F. Guay on August 10, 2014)

A Newsletter of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, PA FALL 2014 from Sister Grace Sister Madeline Horning Celebrates 50 Years

A bright sunshiny day ushered in Holy Spirit were assuming August 10th as friends and family more responsibilities in the We Are All Bearers of the Gift gathered to celebrate the 50th health care field, Sister Madeline anniversary of the profession of vows obtained a Bachelor of Nursing We have just completed the lengthy God-borne; it is the Holy Spirit. It is of Sister Madeline Horning. The degree from La Roche College. process of publishing our history, part of our jubilees, our funerals, our Motherhouse chapel was beautifully For the past 37 years, Sister has A Quiet Spirit: The History of Sisters days with family and friends, all our decorated, and strains of “Send Us ministered at Marian Manor of the Holy Spirit of the Diocese celebrations. It is our daily companion Your Spirit” rang out as the procession Nursing Home. of Pittsburgh. The history of our and guide - what we have to offer to all entered for the Eucharistic Liturgy. community as Sisters is a remarkable in our ministries, our conversations, In addition to her role there as a Sister Madeline story of faithfulness, of spirit, of our contacts. The Very Rev. Robert F. Guay, V.E., Supervisor, Sister Madeline also serves Horning. spiritual growth and of selfless service. chaplain at the Motherhouse was the as a member of the General Council, This past month we celebrated the Sister Grace Fabich, SHS celebrant and homilist. Concelebrating the governing body of the Sisters of the General Superior What sustained our pioneer Sisters, 50th jubilee of Sr. Madeline Horning was the Rev. John F. Walsh, Chaplain Holy Spirit. Her qualities as a patient, what they carried throughout their and how over the fifty years as a Sister of Marian Manor Nursing Home, and honest, and hardworking person assist journey, is their unique gift to us. It is of the Holy Spirit she, faithful to her assisting as altar server was seminarian her in all those responsibilities. “We now our legacy. We, as individuals and as a vows, has touched the hearts and Paul J. Brandimarti, nephew of Sister community of Sisters, are challenged minds of her Sisters, her co-workers, Madeline. In his homily, Father Guay quoted touch and to discover, to receive and to make it her family and friends. That spirit Emeritus Benedict XVI who once wrote part of who we are, to treasure it, make has taken root in her many years ago that “the witness, the ‘martyrdom’ of pass the it that which we give to the world each and now, alive and elusive as it is, still religious life is generosity, detachment, day and pass on to those who will animates her in her work, in her life. sacrifice, and self-forgetfulness in order follow after us. to care for others.” Father Guay went on Very Rev. Robert Great Spirit Just as that “Quiet Spirit” has been to say, “Sister Madeline, we thank you Guay and Rev. This spirit that pervades our history passed on to us, we now touch and for being this kind of witness through John F. Walsh of peace and weaves in and out of our lives and pass the Great Spirit of peace and your commitment to consecrated life. comes now and then as a whirl wind love on to you. As it weaves and flows By responding wholeheartedly to love on to lifting our hearts and our hopes, through your life may you gift it to your vocation you have been a faithful then calmly moving us on. It is a others as you touch their lives. Seminarian Paul J. Brandimarti greets witness of ‘a different way of doing you.” quiet peace that speaks loudly. It is his aunt Sister Madeline and Sisters things, of acting, of living.’ It is this Grace, Madalyn, Cynthia, and Diane. kind of faithful living out of a religious Sister Madeline, daughter of the late vocation that has the capacity, as Pope Carl Joseph and Madeline Bernard Francis says, ‘to wake the world up and Holy Ghost High School All Class Reunion, Saturday, October 11, 2014 Horning, grew up in North Canton, thus make the Church attractive.’” Ohio. There she attended St. Paul (Alumnae Only) Following the beautiful Eucharistic Graduated or Attended 1941-1983 School where she met the Sisters of the Liturgy, the Sisters joined the many Holy Spirit. She said that it was her For additional details, please contact: friends and family of Sister Madeline Cost: $50.00 eighth grade teacher, Sister Monica, Selma Uhlig ’59 (412) 231-6381; for a celebration dinner. Tentative Schedule: Katie Foley ’79 (412) 445-7785; who had a great influence on her Registration 11:00 AM Winnie Staab ’80 (412) 931-0415; becoming a Sister. In reflecting on her golden jubilee, Sister Madeline had this Mass 12:00 PM Renee (Archey) Moser ’80 (412) 600-8133 to say: “I am ever so grateful for the many blessings and During her early assignments, Sister Catered Buffet Dinner e-mail: [email protected] opportunities I have had during my fifty years as a Sister of Madeline taught in various schools or [email protected]. the Holy Spirit.” And to Sister Madeline, we add our ‘Thank Don’t miss this opportunity to in the dioceses of Pittsburgh and you’; may God continue to grace you with many blessings as Youngstown. As the Sisters of the renew old friendships and to For complete schedule and registration, you continue to serve others so generously! create new ones! please visit: www.sistersoftheholyspirit.com.

2 Spirit Echoings 3 Sister M. Anne Kwitowski Sisters Celebrate 75th Jubilee SHS – 75th Jubilarian Friends and the families of Sister In his homily at the Jubilee Mass, Sister Anne grew up in Glassport and As Father Guay concluded his Rose and Sister Anne gathered at Father Guay stated: “ Each one of us entered the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. homily, he said: “St. Ignatius of Marian Manor Nursing Home on paints a picture of God through our She said, “After having taught for over Loyola once penned these words, ‘Few April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, lives and this is often one of the more fifty years, I left that ministry which souls understand what God would to celebrate one hundred fifty years powerful ways those around us come I had loved to become the Adult accomplish in them if they were to of service by the jubilarians. Rev. to know, love and serve the Lord. For by Day Care Director at Marian Manor abandon themselves unreservedly John F. Walsh, chaplain of Marian what we say and do we paint for them a Nursing Home. I later became an Aide to Him and if they were to allow his Manor Nursing home concelebrated picture of God that is real and present. in the Alzheimer’s Unit. That ministry grace to mold them accordingly.’ the Eucharistic liturgy with the Very I think it is safe to say that Sister Anne made me become aware and reflect on Sister Anne and Sister Rose, we Rev. Robert F. Guay, V.E., celebrant. and Sister Rose have been painting a compassion, patience, on touch that thank you for abandoning yourselves Father Guay is also the Episcopal picture of God for others some 90 plus heals, on listening to another’s pain, unreservedly for the sake of the Sister M. Anne Vicar of Region One in the Diocese of years of life and in a particular way fears and anxieties, and to approach kingdom of God and for allowing God’s Kwitowski, SHS Pittsburgh and the chaplain of the through their 75 years of faithful and them with love and concern.” grace to mold you and use you for his Sisters of the Holy Spirit. dedicated service to consecrated life as divine purpose and plan. We thank you a Sister of the Holy Spirit.” Sister Anne loves to pray. She said for accepting and responding to the call that Holy Mass, the Eucharist, daily of God. We thank you for embracing devotions to the Holy Spirit, the and faithfully living the vows of Immaculate Heart of Mary and several poverty, chastity and obedience. We saints sustain her enthusiasm and thank you for ‘showing up’, as it is commitment to religious life. Sister said, and being there for Christ and his Sister M. Rose Krystopolski Anne is now a resident of Marian Church as a Sister of the Holy Spirit.” Manor Nursing Home. SHS – 75th Jubilarian

Sister Rose said that it was very generous of her parents to allow four of their five daughters to enter religious life. They all became members of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. Student Captures Honor

For thirty seven years, St. Alexis Manor in Wexford. Marian Alexander the Pittsburgh Diocese Catholic Sister Rose taught in Manor Nursing Home is now home to Hill, an Schools had submitted entries. eighth-grade various schools in the Sister Rose in her retirement. Alexander was presented with a dioceses of Pittsburgh, student at In reflecting on her life as a Sister of St. Maria Samsung tablet and two tickets Greensburg, and to Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirate Sister M. Rose Youngstown. During those years the Holy Spirit, Sister Rose stated, “I Goretti Krystopolski, SHS am grateful for my vocation. What School in games. The awards were presented she also spent ten years as a church Sister Mary at a dinner in May at the David organist and five years as a principal sustains me most in my commitment John and Bloomfield, took second place Alexander L. Lawrence Convention Center. at St. Paul School in North Canton, to the religious life is daily Mass, in the Pittsburgh “Do the “I rely on the Hill. Attending with Alexander were Ohio. Following those years in the Holy Eucharist, and communal Write Thing Challenge.” Spirit to help me his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sean education, Sister Rose pursued studies prayer. The Holy Spirit is the source . . . He has never of all wisdom, and I rely on the Spirit Alexander was featured in the Hill, Sister Mary John Cook, SHS, Alexander with failed me.” and became an LPN. In that capacity, Spring edition of SPIRIT ECHOINGS principal of St. Maria Goretti School, teacher Diane she served at Marian Manor Nursing to help me in all difficulties. He has Majchrzak at never failed me.” as one of the top ten finalists in the teachers Diane Majchrzak and Linda Steeler game. Home, Holy Spirit Guest Home and competition in which 2158 students Attwood, and students Angeline Pho at the Motherhouse. She also served at from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Cedric Ruffin, each a runner-up Woodland Hills School District, and in the competition.

4 Spirit Echoings 5 Sister Marita, Rev. Benedetto Vaghetto, and Community Bids Farewell to then- Pope John Paul II. Sister M. Cyrilla Czystuch Although she was quiet and prepared her well. Sister Cyrilla unassuming, Sister Cyrilla served went on to teach math at Holy God’s people very well. Ghost High School where she Canonizations won the esteem and affection Stephanie Czystuch entered the Sisters of the young ladies there. of the Holy Spirit from St. Anthony Evoke Memories Sister Cyrilla was also greatly Sr. Cyrilla at an earlier Parish in Homestead, PA. The daughter involved in forensics and accompanied meeting with Bishop of the late Eugene and Mary Ras her students to tournaments where Paul Bradley, former Czystuch, she was the youngest of their chaplain of the Sisters she also served as a judge. Besides of the Holy Spirit. five children. A very devout child, she belonging to National Forensics and loved the Holy Eucharist and became Catholic Forensics, she was also the With the canonizations of Saint John Wuerl as bishop. Sister Marita’s sister, a daily communicant, not only during Moderator for the Mission Society at XXIII and Saint John Paul II on April Mary Lou Ramirez, was also pleased to the school years, but even during the the high school. 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, some of join them for that event. In addition to summer months. She recalled that her our Sisters recalled opportunities they having ideal seats in St. Peter’s Basilica mother would take her with her to Her love of teaching ended when she had to meet Saint John Paul. A number for the ordination, they were also Mass. She also enjoyed attending Vesper was elected to the General Council of of our Sisters saw the Holy Father honored to join Bishop Wuerl and a Service on Sundays, May devotions, the Sisters of the Holy Spirit in 1979 during his visit to Philadelphia. At delegation of priests, religious and laity and Lenten devotions. During Parish where she served as General Secretary May her World Youth Day in Ontario, Canada, from Pittsburgh for a private audience Missions, the crowds were so big that and as Assistant General Superior. Sister Patricia with the Holy Father. the children were encouraged to stay at During that time she also served as dear soul Eleanor Myers home. This Stephanie did, but she held House Superior at the Motherhouse When the Very Rev. Adam Maida was and Sister Teresa her own devotions. She once wrote, “I where she ministered well to the created a Cardinal in , it was now rest Baldi were would have my own devotions, praying Motherhouse Sisters. Sister Cyrilla Sister Mary Richard Mehelich and delighted to get and singing aloud especially hymns could always be counted on to know Sister M. Cyrilla Czystuch who were in eternal a close look at from the Polish Hymnal.” the where-a-bouts and the what-a- present in Rome to witness then- him when he bouts of community matters. Many Bishop Maida receive the red hat from peace. passed by in the Stephanie’s father died during the documents in our archives carry her then-Pope John Paul II. Pope mobile. depression and her brother Ted and signature on them. sister Ann found jobs to help support Sister Mary On October 19, 2014, the family. When they would go out Her last years were spent in the DeChantal will beatify Pope Paul VI. Following with their friends in the evening, ministry of prayer. She closed her eyes Serwinski and the death of St. John XXIII, it was Stephanie would sit with her mother in death on June 25, 2014, at Marian Sister Christina left to Pope Paul VI to implement the Marie Janusek and read to her from religious Manor Nursing Home. Sister Mary John reforms of Vatican II. Sister Marita had many occasions, including a magazines. Eventually her petition, greets Pope John Juras and Sister Madalyn Chlebowski In a community gathering a few years ago, Paul II as Mary Lou general audience, to see him during prayed during the novena to St. were students in Rome during the Sister was presented with the following tribute: Ramirez and then- their years of study in Rome. Here in Anthony for the grace to enter the Bishop Donald pontificate of Pope Paul VI. They “Sister Cyrilla, you build community by your respectful the States, courtesy of television, we convent, resulted in her entering the Wuerl look on. were present at many Masses and attention to other members, your selfless giving, your gentle, were delighted to see Sister Christina Sisters of the Holy Ghost. events where he presided, and at the kind and encouraging ways. You are a person of dedication. Marie at the Christmas Midnight Mass conclusion of their time in Rome, they Sister Cyrilla’s early years in education It is with an ease and a gratefulness that you accept the help in Rome at which the Holy Father attended an audience where the Holy were spent in the dioceses of offered by others, and you teach us what it means to live a presided. Father presented them with a special Pittsburgh and Greensburg. She was a life that embraces simplicity. In the face of illness and life’s In 1986, Sister Marita Juras and Sister message. May these saintly pontiffs dedicated teacher, and her education at tragedies you have been a constant reminder of acceptance, Mary John Cook were in Rome for the now intercede for us. , Pitt University, calmness and serenity. We thank you.” ordination of the Most Rev. Donald and Mount Mercy College had

6 Spirit Echoings 7 Non-Profit SISTERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT U.S. Postage PAID 5246 Clarwin Avenue | Pittsburgh PA 15229-2208 Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 1139

SISTERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Sister Grace Fabich, SHS General Superior Mission Statement

Sister Diane Smith, SHS We, the Sisters of the Holy Spirit of Pittsburgh, declare Assistant General Superior our mission is to be joy-filled disciples of Jesus, Sister Cynthia Wessel, SHS General Councilor prophetically witnessing to the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, aware of our call to work for the Sister Madalyn Chlebowski, SHS General Councilor transformation of society into a Gospel community,

Sister Madeline Horning, SHS reconciled with God and with one another. General Councilor

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