“Rosary of Unity”: St. Michael’s Parish in Jenkintown, PA Joins the Global Ukrainian Prayer On Saturday, September 11th, the parish community of St. Michael’s in Jenkintown joined together in the prayer of the rosary on Zhyve.TV, the internet television of Ukrainian Catholic Church. The prayer was led by the Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Andriy Rabiy, who at the present time is the administrator of St. Michael’s parish. The “Rosary of Unity” is the media project of the Ukrainian Catholic Church (UCC) that aims to unite the faithful in Ukraine and the world. During his opening remarks, Bishop Andriy highlighted the figure of John the Baptist, whose feast of beheading is celebrated on September 11th, according to Julian calendar. He stressed that in this feast everyone is reminded about the call to live life in the truth and according to the Gospel. Afterwards, Auxiliary Bishop led those present with him in the church as well those who were tuned in in the livestream through the prayer of the rosary. They mediated on the glorious mysteries of the rosary: Resurrection of the Lord, Ascension into Heaven, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption and the Coronation of the Mother of God in heaven. The prayer of the rosary was concluded by the hymn “It is truly right to bless You, O God-bearing One”. In closing, Bishop Andriy thanked the children and faithful who joined him today. He assured everyone that the Lord is taking care of them. The joint prayer session ended with the Bishop giving the final blessing to those who participated in the prayer of the rosary. About project “Rosary of Unity” is the media project of the Ukrainian Catholic Church that aims to unite her faithful in daily prayer of rosary at 8:00pm Kyiv time with the help of Internet. The project begun on October 14, 2020 on the feast of Patronage of the Mother of God, according to Julian calendar with the blessing of the Head of Ukrainian Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav. The prayer is led by the bishops, priests and religious from Ukraine and the parishes and eparchies outside of Ukraine. Since March 28, 2021 on Sundays, the faithful have the opportunity to pray the Jesus Prayer, while the rosary is recited from Monday to Saturday. The first Jesus Prayer in this project was led by Patriarch Sviatoslav. The idea of the project belongs to Fr. Ihor Yatsiv, the head of the Department for Information of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The prayer is live- streamed on Facebook-page and YouTube-channel of Zhyve.TV, the internet television of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. About Parish St. Michael the Archangel Parish is located in Jenkintown, PA in the suburbs of Philadelphia and is one of the two parishes of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia that uses the Julian calendar (the other parish in Holy Trinity Parish in Silver Spring, MD). Currently the pastoral care is temporally entrusted to the Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy. The parish has many communities such as Sisterhood of Saint Anna, Mothers in Prayer, etc. Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great 2021 Summer Camp The Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great and the St. Sophia Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics jointly held a day camp August 16-20 at Fox Chase. This was the fourth collaboration and included about thirty children ages 6-13. The week’s theme was the Seven Sacraments and the program consisted of catechism, crafts, embroidery, dancing, games, and sports. The camp was staffed by Sisters and laity. Among the former were Sister Rose Ann Bukaczyk, OSBM, Sister Teodora Kopyn, OSBM, Sister Olga Mykhayliuk, OSBM, Sister Lydia Sawka, OSBM, and Sister Joann Sosler, OSBM. The latter group was formed by Iryna Ivankovych, President of St. Sophia; Sean McLaughlin, Director of the Basilian Spirituality Center; and several volunteer assistants who helped facilitate daily activities. Three priests from Ukraine and their families helped facilitate the week: Father Ostap Mykytchyn, Father Roman Oliynyk, and Father Ruslan Borovyi, who all belong to the group of missionaries who arrived this Spring to minister in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Additionally, the Sisters’ chaplain, Father John Ciurpita, celebrated Divine Liturgy on August 19 for the Feast of the Dormition. Bishop Andriy Rabiy also visited the camp. The camp offered a great way to conclude the summer by engaging participants through learning and fun in the Ukrainian language. Most importantly, it gave spiritual nourishment through catechism, prayer, and the Mysteries of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. All of the Sisters of St. Basil enjoyed the campers’ youthful energy and seeing a new generation of Ukrainian Catholics being formed at Fox Chase. Since 1911 the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great have served in the United States. The Sisters strive to be aPraying, Healing, Life-Giving Presence in every community they minister, especially in the field of education. Their Motherhouse is in Fox Chase Manor, Pennsylvania, which is just outside Philadelphia. The Sisters can be reached by email at [email protected] by telephone at 215-379-3998 and by mail at 710 Fox Chase Road, Fox Chase Manor, PA 19046. Their website is www.stbasils.com Photos Credit Halyna Vasylytsiya Photo 1 Sister Rose Ann Bukaczyk, OSBM, Most Rev. Bishop Andriy Rabiy and Campers Photo 2 top row center Father Ruslan Borovyi, Sr. Olga Mykhayliuk, OSBM, and Campers On August 7th, 220 people joined the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Sloatsburg, NY to celebrate SSMI Jubilarians On August 7th, 220 people joined the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Sloatsburg, NY to celebrate our SSMI Jubilarians Sr. Evelyn Stock, Sr. Anne Roman,Sr. Zenovia Chmilar, Sr. Michele Yakymovitch and Sr. Eliane Ilnitski. The celebration began with an 11:00AM Divine Liturgy at the Grotto. The concelebrants were Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop Paul Chomnycky and Bishop Bohdan Danylo, along with clergy from the Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Eparchy of Stamford. The celebration continued with a festive dinner on the outdoor terrace behind St. Mary’s Villa with approximately 220 people in attendance. We offer our gratitude to these five Sisters for 265 years of prayer and service, vowing to Almighty God obedience, chastity and poverty. Each of these Sisters have lived their religious consecration in their own unique way making a difference in our church, in our community and in the personal lives of so many people. Sr. Evelyn, Diamond 75 year Jubilarian, was born in St. Clair, PA to Theodore and Mary Stock who fostered in all seven of their children a deep faith and love of God. Mary Stock prayed that a son and daughter would be given a vocation to the Priesthood and Religious Life, and her prayers were answered as her brother John became a priest and eventually Bishop John Stock, of blessed memory, and she entered the Sisters Servants. Fidelity in a vocation to Religious Life or Married Life for 75 years is something that does not happen often. However, when such a commitment does occur, we must honor that life with utmost awe and respect. Sr. Evelyn began her life of prayer and service caring for the elderly at St. Mary’s in Philadelphia, but the need for teachers was greater, and Sr. Evelyn said yes, going where the need was, following the charism of Blessed Josaphata. She did as many of our Sisters did, teaching during the day and going to school at night. Sr. Evelyn not only earned a BA but also an MA in education. Many of her 45+ years were as Principal. She was well known for her generosity to the students and staff, modeling after her patron saint that she chose, St. Nicholas. Anyone who has served in education, knows that being in it for 45+ years indicates your stamina, but for Sr. Evelyn it also demonstrated her love for nurturing the minds and souls of so many students. Sr. Evelyn continued to go where the need was, when she asked to serve in our mission in Lourdes, France, and then to a new mission that opened in Conyers, GA. Sr. Evelyn is a resident at St. Joseph’s Home and her ministry now is focused on “Praying Always,” as she is seen in chapel for hours each day lifting up in prayer the needs of many who send us intentions. Sr. Anne celebrates 60 years as a Sister Servant. She was born in Rochester, NY. Her parents William and Ann, were parishioners of St. Josaphat Church and their children Anne, Rose Marie and Stephen attended the parish school. Sr. Anne’s faith was nurtured by her parents, and she attributes her vocation to Religious Life to the example of service and dedication of her pastor, +Fr. Nicholas Wolensky. Sr. Anne’s ministry in the field of education as a teacher and Principal for over 40 years in various elementary schools, combined competency with Gospel values. She held her students to high standards in developing their character and excelling in their studies. Even after leaving the ministry in Education she still retains a love for reading, developing her mind. She is like those yellow cliff notes that we all used when we didn’t feel like reading the whole book. The other ministry that is dear to Sr. Anne’s heart, is “care for the beauty of God’s Churches,” which she took great pride in, especially at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Philadelphia for many years. She presently serves as our SSMI Sacristan at St. Joseph’s Home, following in the example of our foundress, Blessed Josaphata who stressed upon the Sisters the sacredness of caring for God’s House.