Jubilarians of 2012

As the year 2012 unfolds, let us pray for our 2012 Jubilarians:

85th: Sr. Neonilia Charanduk (July 16)
75th: Sr. Patricia Harrison (January 9)
70th: Sr. Frances Byblow (July 12), Sr. Genevieve Mizun (April 18), Sr. Irene Windyk (December 12)
60th: Sr. Angelica Hodowansky (July 13), Sr. Epiphany Paschak (November 19), Sr. Suzanne Kokuruds (July 27)
50th: Sr. Christina Syrotynsky (August 14), Sr. Jean Zemliak (August 14), Sr. Laura Prokop (July 15), Sr. Monica Papiz (August 14), Sr. Stephanie Olynyk (August 4)

Jubilees of 2011

Click a name to read about the celebration of our 2011 Jubilarians:

75th: Sr. Chrysantha Chrunik (August 25), † Sr. Porphyria Korpan (November 20)
70th: Sr. Anne Marie Kozakewich (May 26), Sr. Stephanida Rawlyk (July 17)
60th: Sr. Ambrose Stachiw (July 29), Sr. Mary Basil Kunanec (July 15), Sr. Jacinta Shymkiw (August 17)
25th: Sr. Yvonne Kabay (September 3)

Celebrations for 2011 Jubilees Begin

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, the SSMI Sisters of Winnipeg, celebrated the 75th Jubillee of Sr. Chrysantha Chrunik on Saturday, March 19th, which was also her Feast Day. Divine Liturgy was celebrated at 11:00 am in the Bethany Home chapel. A wonderful meal was served in the dining room downstairs. Sisters from Bethany, Holy Trinity and Novitiate homes were present, as was Provincial Superior, Sr. Theresa Slota, and all shared in her joy. Sr. Theresa Slota presentes greetings from Superior General, Sr. Janice Soluk, as well as her own special words. The biggest treat for Sr. Chrysantha was receiving a larger-than-life poster card made by Sr. Janet, Superior of Bethany home, which represented the many stages and aspects of her life. She received it with honour, grace and style.

Click on any image for a closer look.

Sr. Janet with Sr. Chrysantha after Divine Liturgy	Sr. Darlene pins on a coursage	Sr. Mary serves our Jubilarian	Sr. Theresa, Prov. Sup., gives greetings as Sisters listen on.	Sr. Theresa, Prov. Sup., gives personal greetings	Sr. Theresa presents a token of Our Lady’s protection.

After greetings, Sisters sing Многая Літа!	Sr. Theresa Matwe, Novice Directress, greets Sr. Chrysantha on behalf of the Novitiate Home		A nice surprise!

Sr. Chrysantha enjoying a hand-made greeting from her Sisters

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In Toronto, Ontario, on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, our Jubilee celebrations for 2011 began with the 70^th jubilee of Sister Anne Marie Kozakewich.

Since Sister Anne Marie has mostly served clergy, in the capacity of sewing vestments, special invitees were the Eparch, Eparch Emeritus and clergy of the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada, and Eparch of Byzantine Slovaks in Canada, Bishop John Pazak, CSsR. Special guests were His Grace Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in USA, and His Excellency, Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, Eparch of Stamford, both Canadians, and both having received from the services of Sister Anne Marie. Also in attendance were Sister Michelle Yakimovich, Provinical Superior of the SSMI in USA, and Sisters Jacqueline Hricz and Eliane Ilnitski, both of Sloatsburg, New York, as well as clergy wives of Toronto Eparchy, SSMI Associates, SSMI from Ancaster, Montreal and Toronto, and close family members. Sr. Eliane was our photographer for the day.

Moleben to Christ the Lover of Mankind was concelebrated at noon by Bishop Stephen and our two American guest bishops. The chapel was overflowing with guests, who all sang responses in full voice. After the Gospel reading, Bishop Stephen gave tribute to the faithful work of Sr. Anne Marie, particularly in her ability to provide vestments for so many clergy, in this eparchy and beyond. At the end of his address, the congregation sang Многая Літа for her. Moleben continued, concluded with the singing of the SSMI Community hymn, "Слава Слава," after which, Sister Theresa Slota, SSMI Provincial Superior, offered her own personal address, officially welcomed the guests, and invited them after the service to enjoy a festive barbecue lunch and share fellowship.

Bishop Chomnytsky reads the Gospel. Bishop Chmilar and Metropolitan Soroka look on.	Srs. Jacqueline Hricz and Michelle Yakimovich, Provinical Superior of the SSMI in USA	Srs. Theresa, Provincial, and Anne Marie, jubilarian, with Bishop Emeritus Cornelius Pasichny	Bishop Stephen Chmilar gives homily and greeting

Guests included clergy, wives, Sisters, Associates and family, filling the chapel to overflowing			Sr. Theresa Slota, Prov. Superior, gives greetings

Sr. Patricia Lacey, Vice-Provincial, offers greetings from Sr. Janice Soluk, General Superior		Personal greetings from Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, of Philadelphia, Fr. and Mrs. Roman Pankiw, and Vice-Chancellor Fr. and Mrs. Bohdan Bilinsky

Murray and Margaret Slota, nephew and niece, running the barbecue	Guests mingle on the patio, on the lawn and in the dining room

Sr. Anne Marie with celebratory cake		Gifts and flowers	Sr. Eliane, our photographer (click for the gallery.)

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Back in Winnipeg, on June 7, 2011, having completed their annual retreat with Father Mark Zazula, OSBM, retreat master, Sister Janet introduced the 60th Jubilarians, Sisters Mary Basil Kunanec and Jacinta Shymkiw, as the Sisters sang “Многая Літа!” for them.

After prayer and photos, they all went down to the dining room to celebrate over dinner. Sister Mary Basil was brought from Holy Family Home to join the Community. The Novitiate and Holy Trinity homes joined Bethany Home, with guests, Sister Provincial Theresa Slota, Sr. Pat Besko, of Toronto, Sr. Jean Zemliak, of Dauphin, Sr. Petronella Dybka, of our Edmonton (Southside) home, and Fr. Mark. Gifts were presented together with greetings. Sister Provincial Theresa brought blessings from the Holy Father, and greetings from Superior General Sister Janice Soluk. She offered her own greeted to the Jubilarians and presented them with gifts. Sisters of the three local homes then presented their gifts, and the Sisters who lived with the Jubilarians shared their experiences and related some nice memories.

Sr. Elicia thanks Fr. Mark Zazula, OSBM, for an inspiring retreat	Sisters sing Многая Літа! for the Jubilarians	Sr. Joanne pins a coursage for Sr. Jacinta, as Sr. Janet does for Sr. Mary Basil		Our Jubilarians together

Prov. Superior, Sr. Theresa Slota gives greetings and gifts	Sr. Theresa Matwe, Novice Directress, offers greetings and gifts from the Novitiate home

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In Ancaster, on July 21, at the end of their retreat, a gathering of Sisters from Ancaster, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary and New Westminster celebrated the 25th Jubilee of Sr. Yvonne Kabay, of Calgary. This began with the closing Divine Liturgy for her intentions at the Mount Mary school chapel, celebrated by Fr. Laurien Janicki, OFM, retreat master. During the Divine Liturgy, Sr. Yvonne had the opportunity to renew her vows before the Blessed Sacrament. At the end of the Liturgy, Fr. Laurien anointed the hands and forehead of all the retreatants, as a renewal of missioning. Sr. Yvonne was also given a special blessing by all those present, who encircled her to impart it.

After a final retreat session, they shared a lovely meal, at which Sr. Patricia Lacey, interim Provincial Superior, gave greetings on behalf of the Canadian SSMI Province, and Sr. Ruth Yakimishyn, past-Provincial Secretary, read greetings from our recently past General Superior, Sr. Janice Soluk. Sr. Yvonne was gifted with roses as all Sisters present greeted her individually. After offering her own words of thanks, Sr. Yvonne cut and distributed the jubilee cake.

Fr. Laurien Janicki, OFM, celebrates Divine Liturgy	Sr. Yvonne renews her vows and receives Holy Communion		Sisters are anointed for mission	Sisters gather with Fr. Laurien to bless Sr. Yvonne

Sr. Pat Lacey offers Provincial greetings	Sr. Ruth Yakimishyn offers General greetings	Sisters greet Sr. Yvonne with a rose			Sr. Yvonne cuts the cake!

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In Mundare, Alberta, on August 15, 2011, a 4 pm Moleben to Blessed Josaphata in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Home opened the celebration of the 70^th jubilee of Sr. Stephanida Rawlyk, and the 60^th jubilee of Sr. Ambrose Stachiw. Sisters from both St. Joseph’s and the Hospital homes, from Edmonton’s north and southside homes, and from Saskatoon were present, as well as a few lay guests and relatives. A barbecue followed, at which Sr. Martha, superior of St. Joseph’s, welcomed everyone and specially greeted Sr. Stephanida on her 80 years as an SSMI, while Sr. Eugenia, superior of the Hospital home, greeted Sr. Ambrose on her 60 years as an SSMI. Sr. Marijka Konderewycz, Provincial Councillor, gave the toast to the Jubliarians. The Jubilarians each had a moment to thank the Sisters for the celebration, recounting briefly the graces they had received over their years in the Lord’s service.