Holy Dormition Pilgrimage - Sloatsburg, NY

The 55th Holy Dormition Pilgrimage hosted by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate was held on August 8 & 9th, 2009. Share a comment about the Pilgrimage with us by clicking the "Comment" link at the bottom of this post.

Three Videos are below from the Pilgrimage, followed by an Article and Photos.

The 55th Annual Holy Dormition Pilgrimage.

Two thousand people attended the 55th Annual Holy Dormition Pilgrimage which was held on the property of Sloatsburg on the weekend of August 8th and 9th. This year’s theme “Behold, Your Mother: Evangelization under the Patronage of the Mother of God” was certainly evident throughout the weekend. As sisters, clergy, volunteers and pilgrims shared their faith through prayers, work, and the joy that was evident in every face, the love and presence of God was evident and tangible. From the very old to the very young, participants were Icons of Jesus to one another.

The sisters and pilgrims were blessed by the presence of Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan for the Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S., Bishops Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, Eparch of Stamford, William Skurla, Eparch of Passaic, John Bura, Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, and Basil Losten, Bishop-Emeritus of Stamford, Rev. Philip Sandrick, OSBM, Provincial Superior of the Basilian Fathers in the U.S. and many other priests and deacons of the Ukrainian and Byzantine Churches, seminarians, and religious men and women, who participated in and assisted with the liturgical services on the weekend.

The campout was a wonderful experience for 12 teens and young adults who played, prayed and had the opportunity to think about God’s wondrous creation of the stars and universe, through the facilitation of an amateur astronomer, who shared his knowledge and telescope with them. They spent the night sharing their faith with one another and learning more about the beauty of creation.

Through Molebens, Vespers, the service of lamentations to the Blessed Mother, through Matins, the Akafist, Stations of the Cross, the blessing of the Sick, of the flowers, of the religious articles; through the Divine Liturgy and the Sacraments of Confession and private devotions and prayers; by spending time with one another and sharing meals, the love of Christ and the special blessings of the Church were experienced by all who participated. The gifts of the graces received during the Holy Dormition Pilgrimage were taken home by each participant to be shared with family and friends throughout the coming year.

As they celebrate the double jubilee of the 75 years of Ministry in the United States and 50 years of the establishment of the American Province of the Immaculate Conception, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who have supported and helped them with the annual Pilgrimage and assure you that you are remembered in their daily prayers. May God bless you richly.

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Pictures and article above were submitted by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate.

Video by: "The Way"

Booksigning in Williamstown, NJ

Dr. Alexander Lushnycky presented his new book "Ukrainians of the Delaware Valley" to the parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown, NJ on August 2, 2009. (Please click on the comment link at the bottom of this post if you would like to leave a comment about the booksigning.)

Below is a 2 minute video from his presentation.

Photos (click photo to enlarge)

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Photos by Tanya Bilyj

Pilgrimage Information in Sloatsburg, NY

Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate's
55th Annual Holy Dormition Pilgrimage

Theme: “Behold, your Mother: Evangelization under the Patronage of the Mother of God ”

August 8 and August 9th, 2009 in Sloatsburg, NY


Click flyer to view larger image. (English)




Click flyer to view larger image. (Ukrainian)




Saturday, August 8, 2009

5:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy English (grotto) Rev. Joseph Bertha

Blessing of the Water (St. Mary’s Villa)

Healing Service (Dormition Chapel)

***Food Served at the Pavilion***

(under the direction of the League of Ukrainian Catholics)

7:30 p.m. Panahyda (St. Mary’s) Most Rev. Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, Eparch of Stamford

8:00 p.m. Candlelight Procession to Grotto
Moleben to the Mother of God - English (grotto)
Most Rev. William Skurla, Eparch of Passaic

10:00 p.m. Great Vespers (St. Mary’s Chapel) - Rev. Kiril Angelov

12:00 am Lamentations to Our Lady (grotto) - Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo


Sunday, August 9, 2009

8:00 a.m. Matins Bilingual (grotto) - Rev. Edward Young

10:00 a.m. Pontifical Divine Liturgy Bilingual (grotto)
Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S.A.

Celebrating Bishops: Most Rev. Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, Homilist, Eparch of Stamford

Most Rev. John Bura, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Most Rev. Basil H. Losten, Bishop-Emeritus of Stamford

Choir: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Passaic, New Jersey

12:00 p.m. Youth Liturgy, English (St. Mary’s Chapel) - Rev. Vasyl Kornitsky

1:30 p.m. Blessing of the Religious Articles (front, St. Joseph’s Home)

Akathist (St. Mary’s Chapel) Bilingual - Rev. Maxim Kobasuk, OSBM

Healing of Sick (St. Mary’s Chapel), same time as Akathist is sung

2:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross (grotto) - Rev. Roberto Lucavei, OSBM

3:00 p.m. Moleben to the Mother of God
Ukrainian (grotto) - Rev. Ihor Midzak

Blessing of cars and buses upon departure

Spiritual Moderator: Rev. Bohdan Danylo, Rector of St. Basil’s Seminary

Seminary Day Information

75th Annual Ukrainian Seminary Day
Sun., July 26, 2009 in Minersville;

Metropolitan Stefan to be Main Celebrant at 11 a.m. Divine Liturgy

Minersville, Pa.--The 75th Annual Ukrainian Seminary Day will be held Sunday, July 26, 2009 at St. Nicholas Picnic Grove, Route 901 Minersville, Schuylkill County, PA. At 11 a.m., Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka and the clergy of the South Anthracite Deanery will celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

Entertainment includes Paul Konkus of WPPA AM 1360 hosting a Live Polka Broadcast from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. from the picnic grove. “The Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble of Northeast. Pennsylvania” performs at 1:30 p.m., and “The Pennsylvania Villagers” band provides polka and dance music from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Home-made Ukrainian and Slavic foods, including holubtsi-halupki, halushki, pyrohy, kobasa-kielbasi, bleenies, sausage, Lemko platters, and ice cream, bean soup, desserts will be sold throughout the day. Ukrainian arts and crafts will also be on display and for sale. A “Theme Basket Auction” featuring over 30 baskets created by each of the 12 sponsoring parishes, church organizations and individual parishioners will be conducted throughout the day.

Admission and parking are free. Buses are welcome.

St. Nicholas Picnic Grove and Hall are located on Route 901 one mile north of Minersville in the village of Primrose, Schuylkill County, Pa.

In the 1930’s, Ukrainian Seminary Day was started by the clergy to raise funds for the seminary. For decades the social was held on the last Sunday in July at Lakewood Park, Barnesville, Pa. as a celebration of faith and Ukrainian heritage. After Lakewood Park closed in the early 1980’s, the event was moved to its present location St. Nick’s grove in Primrose, Pa.

From 1985 through 2008, Ukrainian Seminary Day has raised more than $500,000.00 for St. Josaphat’s Seminary Fund, which provides financial support for St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary, adjacent to the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Sr. Lydia's 25th Jubilee

Sr. Lydia Anna Sawka, OSBM, celebrated her Silver Jubilee on June 13, 2009 at Holy Trinity Chapel in Fox Chase Manor, PA. Did you attend Sr. Lydia's Jubilee? Share a memory by clicking the "Comment" link at the bottom of this post.

Video #1 = Liturgy including Renewal of Vows (8 minutes)

Video #2 = Sr. Lydia Anna Sawka, OSBM, Speech (3 minutes)

Sr. Lydia's Speech

Slava Isusu Khrystu!

Your Excellencies, Archbishop Stefan and Bishop John, Reverend Fathers and Deacon, Venerable Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God, my dearest family, friends and dearest Basilian Sisters,

How delighted I am to have you all here for my 25th anniversary celebration. Our Beloved Lord has blessed me with a special gift – that of a vocation to the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great. Little did I imagine the journeys and adventures Our Lord had mapped out for me. Growing up in Hamtramck, MI, I thought that was my whole world – and I was happy there, amidst loving family, friends and people whom I met. God, however, had larger and different plans for me, plans beyond anything I ever expected. Throughout my life He has prepared, nurtured and encouraged me, even though I often was not aware of it. How?

God blessed me with faith-filled parents – Michael and Adela, who were constant good examples of living their faith. They cared for family and friends; lived a life that revolved around church and family. With my sister, Nadia, we went to Liturgy every Sunday and often for other services, such as Molebens, Stations of the Cross, and processions on Feasts. It was simply what was done - the norm in our lives. Looking back, perhaps, what touched me the most was when I would peek into my parents’ room (when I should have been in bed) and would see my father or mother praying before going to sleep. Their live showed me the importance of God in all facets of life. I am forever grateful for my parents, whom I am sure are with us today in spirit. My sister and I grew in a loving atmosphere. My sister, Nadia, was and continues to be, not just the best sister imaginable, but also, my dearest and closest friend – who else shares so much in common with me.! Indeed, I was and continue to be blessed with a wonderful family – my sister, Nadia, and her incredible family, my uncle Ted (Dozio), other aunts and uncles, my cousins and their families, my late grandparents and relatives.

In addition to family, friends are very important – and there, too, my life is very rich for God has given me many friends who have provided much laughter, understanding, encouragement and support in my journeys. There are so many – from school, Plast, the chancery, work and other facets of my life. You come in many forms – hierarchy, clergy, married and single. Some have journeyed with me for many, many years, others for just a few years. You are each important and precious to me.

These are not, however, the only people who have influenced my life and prepared me for the journeys I have and continue to travel. Throughout my life, I have been guided by both the Basilian Sisters and Fathers, who nurtured the faith and helped form my life. From kindergarten to high school – in the Immaculate Conception Church and Schools– they have led me to know God in my life. I had wonderful teachers in the schools, who first taught me and then taught with me – and continue to be my friends. I was blessed with the opportunity to continue my education through university and, eventually, become a teacher. My gratitude is extended to my students, who continued to teach me through new eyes on the world.

My community – my Basilian Sisters – what a great part you have played and continue to play in my life – from childhood to the present. Sometimes, I laugh, when in the daily living of community life, something goes badly and I annoy someone, which is bound to happen when you live in community - I just laugh and since so many Sisters have had a hand in my formation, say: “Just remember, what you made is what you got!” Of course, they are not totally responsible for whom I have become – just a little. Today, I celebrate each of you, my Sisters. I have spent 25 years in this community of Jesus, Lover of Humanity. What a blessed time! You have encouraged me to grow and to stretch – often in ways I never imagined! You have provided opportunities beyond my dreams. To each of you, here, and those who have gone on to their heavenly reward – I thank you. I only hope that I have been and will be a blessing to you, as you have been to me.

Before I end, please let me thank all those who have helped with this celebration. There are too many to mention by name here and now – but know that you will each be individually remembered in my prayers. Without you – this could not have happened! Thank you to all of you who have come here today – from near and far – you have each had a part in my journey here. I love each of you! May God send his abundant blessings upon you. I, also, thank the Blessed Mother, who has guided me along me journey, often pointing out the right way to go, St. Basil and St. Macrina, and all those who have walked the journey in our Basilian Community. Most of all – I thank my Beloved Lord – who is the center of my life and blesses me with each breathe I take, surprising me at every turn in the road – always walking tenderly with me, even when I am not mindfully aware of His Presence. He is my Lord and my Love.

-Sr. Lydia Anna Sawka, OSBM
June 13, 2009


Photos from Sr. Lydia's Jubilee (click photo to enlarge)

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Photos & Video: Teresa Siwak from "The Way"