Life in Pictures
They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. The collection of images below weaves together the story of the U.S. Province over the past nine months — celebrations, gatherings, events and the simple joys of everyday life.
Click on any image to view it in larger format.
On November 13, Sister Marie Therese Sherwood (right) joined parish youth and members of the St. Vincent DePaul Society of the Catholic Community of St. Matthias in delivering food baskets to Franklin Food Bank in Somerset, N.J. Their efforts will help to put Thanksgiving meals on the tables of needy families for the coming holiday
On behalf of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at the Catholic Community of St. Matthias in Somerset, N.J., our own Sister Marie Therese Sherwood (center) accepts a $500 check on November 14 from the Ifeatu-Ifediche Anambra Women of New Jersey toward Thanksgiving baskets for those in need. Sister joined the church’s St. Vincent DePaul members and youth in packing food baskets and delivering them to nearby Franklin Food Bank to put food on the tables of needy families for the coming holiday. The ladies who presented the check are also St. Matthias parishioners. The Ifeatu Ifediche Anambra Women are a nonprofit organization that supports underprivileged women and children in the United States and Nigeria.
Sisters Jo Goolish (center) and Yolanda Escamilla joined alumnae from the St. Francis Academy Class of 1971 to sponsor a food drive for the poor in San Antonio, Texas. The drive ended on November 15 with a lovely luncheon of chicken caldo (soup). The weather was cold, but the spirits of the “girls” were high as they shared their favorite family Thanksgiving celebrations.
Srs. Jo and Yolanda participated in a mass for the all the deceased SFA alumni.
It was held at St. Matthew's Catholic Church on November 18, 2022. They sang
the "Prayer of St. Francis" and the SFA School Song. There were photos of the alumni
and the classes of the deceased alumni were displayed. Even the celebrant wore a
chasuble with the San Damiano cross on front and back.
Sister Cecilia Jacko celebrates her 90th birthday at Mt. Assisi Place on January 9.
Sister Marian Sgriccia cuts a celebratory cake with Marie North, certified sustainable building advisor, and Dan Misleh, founder of Catholic Climate Convenant, during a community gathering at Monocacy Manor on March 19.
Sister Carol Ann Papp assists students at Northside Catholic Assumption Academy with a Catholic Schools Week project on February 1.
Sister M. Virginelle Makos teaches an Access Bible study class designed for adults and older youth with learning disabilities on August 24 at St. Francis Center for Renewal.
Sister Maria Derecola works with one of her students at St. Matthias School in Somerset, N.J, on March 24.
Sisters Norberta Kralosky, Lois Jean DiFalco and Barbara Ann Webster enjoy a Mardi Gras party at Mt. Assisi Place on March 1.
Teachers and students from Amazing Scholar Academy Preschool — formerly Mount Assisi Academy Preschool — deliver Easter gift bags to our Sisters and other Residents of Mt. Assisi Place on April 11.
Sister Lorita Kristufek accompanies Sister Bernadine Marie Stemnock to a 65th anniversary party for Sister Bernie Marie’s brother, Ed, and his wife in Ohio on June 19.
Sister Marie Therese Sherwood performs with the church choir at The Catholic Community of St. Matthias in Somerset, N.J., on March 28.
Sister Marguerite Stewart steps into the photo booth for a fun photo with SFA alumnae during St. Francis Center for Renewal’s 12th annual Gala on May 7.
Sisters Mary Martha Zammatore, Regina Ann Rokosny and Georgette Dublino (above) attend St. Francis Center for Renewal’s 12th annual Gala on May 7. Sisters Barbara Brown, Patricia Ann Mahoney, Marian Sgriccia and M. Virginelle Makos (below) also were on hand.
Sisters from throughout the U.S. Province assemble on the front porch of San Damiano Convent on July 9 as part of the 2022 Provincial Gathering.
Sister Roselyn Kuzma shares a smile during the 2022 Provincial Gathering at Martina Center on July 7.
Sisters Kathy Kudlac, Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster and Hilda Marotta enjoy the summer weather at San Damiano Convent on July 9.
Sister Adelina Garcia relaxes at Martina Center on July 9 during a break in the 2022 Provincial Gathering.
On July 9, Sister Patricia Ann Mahoney looks on as Sister JoAnn Knaebel enjoys a lap full of Lizzie, the Golden Retriever pup adopted this summer by Ed and Linda Hyde.
Sisters Kathy Kudlac and Gracy Kundukulam snuggle up to Lizzie Hyde on July 9. The pup’s full name registered with the American Kennel Club is Steppin’-Along Lizzie of Woodside.
Sister Mary Lou Metro snuggles Lizzie Hyde on July 9.
Sister Marian Sgriccia embraces Sister Barbara Brown during the Provincial Gathering Missioning Service on July 9 in Pittsburgh.
Sister Mary Martha Zammatore sorts silverware at Monocacy Manor on May 8.
As is our annual tradition, Sisters Mary Xavier Bomberger and Marian Sgriccia deliver a basket of treats to the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh in celebration of the Feast of the Portiuncula on August 2.
Sisters Anece Salay and Denise Olshausky chit chat at Mt. Assisi Place on March 28.
Sister M. Virginelle Makos sells raffle tickets during Monocacy Farm Project’s second annual Spring on the Farm event on May 14.
Sister Regina Ann Rokosny frolics in the fields at Monocacy Farm Project.
Joanne Osborn (MAA 1973) shows Sister Bernadine Marie Stemnock how to transfer a phone call at Mt. Assisi Place on March 24. Sister Bernie Marie is among a small but mighty group of our Sisters who share volunteer reception duties there three days a week.
Sisters Ancy Francis and Gracy Kundukulam arrange flowers in the chapel at Mt. Assisi Place on April 14, in preparation for Holy Week services.
On April 14, Sisters Jeanne Marie Ulica and Anece Salay prepare the alcove in the Mt. Assisi Place chapel for Holy Week services.
Sister Georgette Dublino (right) participates in a water balloon toss as part of the Hilltop Olympics at Mt. Assisi Place on July 28.
Sister Cecilia Jacko serves as Resident Ambassador during opening ceremonies of the Hilltop Olympics at Mt. Assisi Place on July 28.
An inspirational message adorns a bulletin board at Mt. Assisi Place on June 18, thanks to the creativity of Sister Barbara Ann Webster.
Sisters Marguerite Stewart and Barbara DeStefano visit with Bella the Pom, the unofficial mascot of St. Francis Center for Renewal, on June 16. The pup belongs to Daniella Normando, our new financial assistant in Bethlehem.
Sister Frances Marie Duncan takes part in a solemn Mass of thanksgiving for the gift of Sister Eliška's life on May 28, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Hradec Králové.
Sister Marguerite Stewart celebrates her 91st birthday on June 16 with a gift from the retreat team at St. Francis Center for Renewal.
Sisters JoAnn Knaebel and Carol Ann Papp chat with a member of the One Voice Youth Choir following a stirring performance at Mt. Assisi Place on June 14.
Father Steven McMichael and Sister Nancy Celaschi collaborate to present a weeklong Virtual Pilgrimage to Assisi retreat for our Sisters this summer.
Sister Ann Marie Yenca and her niece, Kathy Timko, enjoy the Music in the Meadow outdoor concert at Monocacy Manor on August 19.
As a matter of pure coincidence, Sisters Barbara Brown, Loretta Motko, Bonnie Kleinschuster and Donna Pusch color coordinate in different shades of teal on July 17.
Sister Joyce Burkhart welcomes family members to a special choir performance at Mt. Assisi Place on June 14. It was the first time since the onset of the pandemic that family members were able to attend an event at the Pittsburgh personal care home.
Sisters Rosalia Giba, Eve Blostic and Cecilia Jacko enjoy a Luau Luncheon at Mt. Assisi Place on July 22.
Sisters Anece Salay and Jeanne Marie Ulica raise a toast with green beer served during the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Mt. Assisi Place on March 17.
Sister Denise Olshausky relaxes outside Mt. Assisi Place on July 28.
Sisters, friends and family members from as far away as Chicago and Florida gather on August 27 at a party in honor of Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica’s more than 60 years in religious life. Lifelong friend Shirley Moody Vida (MAA 1960) hosted the belated celebration after the pandemic prevented Sister Jeanne Marie from celebrating her 60th Jubilee in both 2020 and 2021.
Sister Anece Salay and Shirley Moody Vida (center) share a hearty chuckle with Shirley’s niece, Debby Ryan (left), on August 27.
Sister Barbara Brown closes out St. Francis Center for Renewal’s team retreat on August 26 with an inspiring talk about Saints Francis and Clare.
Sister Francine Garganta fashionably models a new St. Francis Center for Renewal T-shirt on March 24.
Sister Rosalia Giba enjoys chatting with Associate Stan Duncan on August 27 in Pittsburgh.
Sisters Pat Marie Buranosky, Marian Sgriccia and Mary Xavier Bomberger enjoy a party in Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica’s honor on August 27.
Sister Adelina Garcia catches up with members of the St. Francis Academy Class of 1991 in San Antonio on August 14.
Sister Jo Goolish reconnects with Bea Alvarado (SFA-T 1965) and Manuela Hupp (SFA-T 1965) during St. Francis Academy Alumnae Association’s Summer Dance in San Antonio on August 6. Proceeds from a cupcake sale at the dance went to Sister Jo’s ministries in the local community. The dance is always held in the former SFA gym. This year, more than 400 tickets were sold!
Sisters Jean Makovsky, Mary Xavier Bomberger, Donna Pusch and M. Virginelle Makos — all members of the first class to attend all four years at St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem — celebrate their 60th anniversary at Monocacy Manor on August 7.
Sisters Barbara Ann Webster, Pat Marie Buranosky, Mary Lou Metro and Georgette Dublino celebrate their 70th anniversary by renewing their vows before Father Richard Zelik on August 3 at Mt. Assisi Place. “Congratulations on this milestone of your dedication and devotion, Sisters,” says SFA-T alum Rosemary Perez. “Thank you for being faithful servants of God’s flock. May God bless you and keep you.”
Sister Mary Xavier Bomberger enjoys a visit with Bernadette McNary-Zak (SFA-B 1964), who stopped by the Provincial Office in Pittsburgh while traveling on July 13. Bernadette is an author and associate professor of religious studies at Rhodes College in Tennessee.
Walkers are lined up like parked cars at Mt. Assisi Place as our Sisters there enjoy an outdoor brunch on August 3.
In celebration of their 70th anniversary, Sisters Georgette Dublino, Pat Marie Buranosky and Barbara Ann Webster enjoy an evening outing to North Park on August 3. Fresh air and ice cream highlighted the trip.
Sister Eve Blostic and Kathy Duncan — who taught together for decades at our former Mount Assisi Academy Preschool — reunite on August 27.
Sisters Barbara DeStefano and Anita Kuchera enjoy the Music in the Meadow outdoor concert at Monocacy Manor on August 19. The evening featured Bethlehem-area polka-style entertainer Robbie Lawrence.
Former member Annabelle McGannon and her rescue dog, Maggie, visit San Damiano Convent on July 14. Maggie was rescued from a puppy mill, where she’d already had multiple litters of pups in her young life. With much patience from Annabelle, she’s slowly becoming socialized and more confident.
Our Sisters join staff and supporters of St. John Chrysostom Academy — located on our Bethlehem property — as they welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Savras for the official blessing of the new school on September 1.
Sister Gracy Kundukulam enjoys a visit with Bennett and Tessa Leib, great nephew and niece of Sister Marian Sgriccia, at San Damiano Convent in August. The kids wished Sister Gracy well on her move to Bethlehem.
Sisters Marguerite Stewart and M. Virginelle Makos welcome Simply Prayer participants back to St. Francis Center for Renewal on September 6 to open a new retreat year. Sisters Marguerite and Virginelle alternate months leading Simply Prayer on the first Tuesday of each month. September’s program was titled, “Mary Chose the Better Part.” Set for the Feast of St. Francis on October 4, the next session will focus on care of creation.
Sister Gracy Kundukulam works in one of her raised garden beds at San Damiano Convent on June 13, 2022.
Oblačka since the 1950s, Sisters Elaine Hromulak and Rosemare Bartnicki reconnect at Monocacy Manor on September 14.
Sisters Regina Ann Rokosny and Georgette Dublino embrace at Monocacy Manor on September 14.
Sisters Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster and Barbara Brown rehearse a song penned in 1974 by former member Judy Labanz Colt (right). The song was included in the funeral service for Sister Marietta Bankos on September 15.
Deacon Gary and Linda Walbert (Associates) and Msgr. Robert Kozel dine together during the repast for Sister Marietta Bankos on September 15.
Sister JoAnn Knaebel takes part in a patriotic sing-along at Mt. Assisi Place on May 27. Behind her is resident Alice Armany.
Sister Marie Therese Sherwood enjoys the parish picnic at The Catholic Community of St. Matthias on September 18, with a few members of the church’s Caregivers/Care support group.
Sister Cecilia Jacko enjoys an Oktoberfest meal of roasted pork, bratwurst, potato pancakes, braised red cabbage, fresh applesauce, and Bavarian green beans at Mt. Assisi Place on September 16.
Sister Denise Olshausky, Roselyn Kuzma, Joyce Burkhart and Anece Salay can all be spotted alongside Mt. Assisi Place employees Sharon Nuttall (left) and Tammy Towers (right) when the Monarch Hospice taco truck treated everyone to a free lunch on September 20.
Sister Francesca Parana photographed at Vincentian Home on June 27.
Sisters Elaine Hromulak and Marguerite Stewart greet each other with great affection at Monocacy Manor on September 14.
THE STORY CONTINUES …
Do you have photos to share with the community? Please send them to Nicole at 412-513-7087 or nbuchlmayer@schoolsistersosf.org.
Sisters, family members and friends follow the hearse carrying Sister Marietta Bankos’ casket from the White House to St. Francis Cemetery at Monocacy Manor on September 15.
Bundles of wildflowers picked from Monocacy Farms await patrons of Monocacy Farm Project’s Pick Your Own program on September 23.
Sisters JoAnn Knaebel and Joyce Burkhart greet Sister Eve Blostic on the occasion of her 80th birthday on September 26.
Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster thanks patrons of Monocacy Farm Project’s sold-out Pairing for a Cause event on September 9, at Black River Farms Vineyard & Winery in Bethlehem, Pa.
Red wine and chocolate bon-bons were among the featured pairings at Monocacy Farm Project’s third annual Pairing for a Cause event at Black River Farms Vineyard & Winery in Bethlehem, Pa., on September 9. Also paired with a select wine were Sister Loretta Motko’s homemade kiffles.
Sister Yolanda Escamilla sorts through 10 boxes of art supplies from St. Gerard Catholic High School in San Antonio that will find new use by her clients at The Living Days Adult Day Care Center.