Newsletter of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate

Advent 2014

“Blessed Josaphata” Welcome to the USA

On September 26th at 7:00 am, people waiting for their loved ones at JFK airport, thought that Pope Francis was coming, as a bus load of Sisters Servants, Lay Associates and friends emerged into the wait- ing area of International flights. The anticipated guest was an icon of our beloved foundress, Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, being es- SSMI’s, Lay Associates and friends waiting at JFK corted by Sr. Maria Zelia Snak from our Province of St. Michael the Archangel in Brazil. There was a slight delay of Sr. Maria Zelia coming out with Blessed Josaphata as the pilot and stewardess wanted to venerate the icon!

This special traveling icon of our Foundress, imbedded with a first class relic, was commissioned by our General , Sr. Theresa Slota, in celebration of the upcoming 125th Anniversary in 2017, of the founding of the Congregation. The icon will be visiting every country in which the Sisters Servants are missioned. Blessed Josaphata was beatified by (St.) John Paul II in 2001, during his visit to . At least one miracle has been attributed through her intercession. The traveling icon will be in the United States until January 15, 2015, at which time she will be escort- ed to our Christ the King Province in Canada. The Sisters Servants will be traveling with the icon to some of our parishes in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the Eparchies of Parma, Stamford, and Passaic. We invite you to come and honor this holy wom- an of the 20th Century. Learn about her life, pray for her intercession and pray for her canonization soon! Listed below is the schedule for visitations in the U. S. Oct. 19 - Lindenhurst, NJ Nov. 1-2 - Syracuse, NY Nov. 8-23 - South Anthracite area - Dates have already been set up for parishes in St. Clair, Olyphant, Harrisburg, Shenandoah, Shamokin, Centralia, Mt. Carmel, Berwick, Frackville, Edwardsville and Minersville Sr. Natalya talks about Blessed Josaphata to Nov. 30 Mahwah, NJ Dec. 7 Spring Valley, NY the children of St. John the Baptist parish Dec. 13 -14 Ansonia, CT Dec. 20 –21 Stamford, CT in Syracuse, NY Jan. 4 Yonkers, NY Jan. 9-14 Passaic, NJ Page 2 Journeying with Josaphata Advent 2014 Issue

St. Joseph’s … Now is the Moment- Sr. Michele, SSMI

Many of you, like myself, have no memory of the year 1941; others may have very vague memories, too long ago to remember! It was the year when… Franklin D. Roosevelt was President of the US. and Pope Pius XII was the ruling pontiff. Cheerios cereal was introduced by General Mills and the first jeep vehi- cle was invented. Pearl Harbor was bombed and it was World War II – just to highlight a few events from then.

The Sisters Servants (already had purchased portions of land in Sloatsburg) reno- vated the Hamilton Morgan stables into what is now St. Joseph’s Adult Care Home. For seventy-three years, the home has welcomed elderly men and women, elderly priests and sisters under their care. The vision and spirit of the first Sister Servant, Josaphata Hordashevska, knew what the needs of her people were, whether it be in Ukraine or throughout the world where her sisters lived. That “flame” has burned throughout the years in every sister who has ministered to the elderly in St. Joseph’s, who have strived to be the strength and hope of tomorrow.

The challenges of yesterday are no different than today. The care for our elderly is crucial and will always be a priority. Unfortunately, the means are not always available to all. We have seen elderly living longer and with the hope of living on their own. Some have that luxury, while others do not.

We, Sisters Servants, with much prayer, research and deliberation are going forward to meet the needs of the infirmed and elderly in our society. We are honored and humbled to share this joy with you… you who o