Author: ademkiv

U. S. Immaculate Conception Province

50 years as a province – 1959-2009

75 years of ministry – 1935-2010

A striking image at the top is that of the Mother of God of the Sign (Immaculate Conception), with Jesus blessing the faithful using the typical Episcopal blessing (both hands) since He leads and shepherds His people. Mary wears a red cloak to represent her ministry to humanity, and green, her relationship to God (liturgical colors used in the Eastern Church from ancient times). Draped around her arm is the American and Canadian flag symbolizing the roots of the American province stemming from the province of Canada.

The foundress and co-founders merge from the village of Zhuzhel. Father Cyril Seletsky encourages Sr. Josaphata, gesturing emphatically to St. Basil Seminary. Father Jeremiah Lomnitsky, OSBM blesses Sr. Josaphata and the four missioned with his ecclesial blessing and with the missionary cross presented to him by the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII. The first four sisters entered the “New World” via Ellis Island as seen in the New York skyline beneath them and then making their way to Montreal, Canada. The next image is that of the Chateau in Stamford, Conn. where the first five sisters missioned to the U.S. provided food services and care of the seminary; they are depicted in white Alongside this, we find the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, seat of the Metropolia. Quickly the sisters ministered to the immigrant Ukrainian people, who had found work in the coal mines of PA. (as seen in the middle left side), in the shipyards and in construction. The sisters responded to their needs in education, such as shown in the top right side with summer catechism in Wilmot, N.D., in moral support to the working girls (with green cards as shown), in home visits (see town houses in the industrial city of Chicago) middle left side, in Sodality related ministry to the young and in care of the churches as seen with sisters carrying linens and garlands to the church.

In collaboration with ecclesial authorities, (Sr. Elizabeth Cassian, Provincial Superior, with a member of the clergy), the Hamilton Estate in Sloatsburg, N.Y. was purchased and converted into an academy for girls as shown in the center of the photo and Academy to its right.

The annual Dormition (Assumption) Pilgrimage is shown in detail: A Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a pool of holy water, confessions, sisters at prayer for the faithful, a sister distributing candles as a symbol of hope, and the family as the foundation of the gift of faith ( the mother encouraging her daughter with a rosary while the father honors an icon).

The lower left corner gives witness to the early life of the sisters as they collected funds in the subways of New York, stock yards of Camden and factories of Philadelphia. They became known as “angels of the subway” .

Education became an important ministry throughout the life of the SSMI in the states that is depicted throughout with computer science, geography, art, biology, music. Children’s sodalities, doing works of mercy in visiting the sick, youth organizations (Youth for Christ), altar boys along with other organizations were formed. Young men were encouraged to follow the call of priesthood. Retreats were conducted for all ages. Comfort was given to the elderly and shut-ins throughout parishes as well as in community owned institutions.

　Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate commemorative

A grand celebration was held at St. Mary’s Villa on Saturday August 1st, 2009 as Sister Albina Gregory, SSMI, celebrated 65 years and Sister Bonaventure Kalawsky, SSMI, celebrated 75 years of religious life with over 130 sisters, clergy family and friends. Whether we are family, a sister in community, a co-worker, or a friend of our celebrants, we rejoice, because we have been blessed by their presence in our life.  The poet, Barbara De Angeli wrote, “Love and kindness are never wasted.  They always make a difference.  They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”  Is this not true?  Is this not the experience we have had in knowing Srs. Bonaventure and Albina? We have seen the face of God… because of their smile, their continuous prayer for us, their love and generosity that has no boundaries How it is possible to be committed to anything let alone, religious life for 75 or 65 years?  The answer would be FAITH AND TRUST BUILT ON LOVE.

Srs. Bonaventure and Albina learned this at a very early age.  With limited contact of a priest or sister, their parents became the living example of faith.  They learned to pray, to converse with God.  God became the center of their being, One who would care for them, watch over them, love them and guide them throughout their lives.  All they would need to do was to trust God and love God in return! So it came to be as the Psalmist says, “Uphold me, O God, according to your word, and I shall live!  I shall live.

Sr. Bonaventure entered the Sisters Servants in 1934.  She traveled with her parents and sister to Mundare, Alberta, her homeland of Canada.  Within 3 years, 1937 she had made her first vows and was ready for mission work.  In pronouncing her vows, saying “Yes” to God, Sr.Bonaventure began the most remarkable and fulfilling journey of her life.  She crossed the waters to Detroit, just to spend a few months there and in that same year 1937 she was sent to St. Clair, PA.  Here she spent three years – as she would be the first sister along with Sr. Constance in this new mission.  Never before were sisters here.  Through their prayerful support and encouragement, one young fellow became a bishop, John Stock and another, Peter, is Msgr. Peter Skrincosky.   The community was blessed with the Vocations of Srs. Zachary, Sr. Evelyn and Sr. Cyprian. Whether it be her first mission back in 1937… when the sisters only came to the U.S. two years before, 1935 and with less than ten sisters in the country or today 2009… 75 years in community, Sr. Bonaventure, continues to radiate that same joy and dynamism.  Like others, she has weathered many storms in her life.  She has stood tall and courageous as she did when she first entered those novitiate doors 75 years ago needing to leave her family behind and venturing into the unknown.  The unknown would bring her back to Canada only for certain celebrations and times of vacation.  Little did she know that she would never serve in her native country of Canada.  She was called to be the missionary to the U.S., following the example of Mary, the Mother of God, always fulfilling the word of God.

Sr. Albina, our 65th year jubilarian was born and raised in North Dakota.  She was the youngest of seven children.  At the age of 4 her father passed away suddenly, making her mother the sole caregiver of the family.  It is through the loving example of her mother, brothers and sisters that she learned the meaning of sacrifice and suffering, loving discipline, and a complete surrender to the Will of God.  Not only would those qualities sustain her throughout her religious life, but that added reality of knowing how to live on a farm, handle the animals and the garden too.  She cherished the earth and all that it contained.  Something she continues to enjoy to this day!Sisters began coming to North Dakota from Minneapolis to teach summer catechism.  It was those early experiences that Sr. Albina came to know the Sisters Servants, the community she would one day enter.   Sr. Albina would watch her mother, stay by her side as she cooked and cared for the needs of the priests and sisters as they came to town.  Always the sisters would stay with the families on the farm!Listening to the stories told of growing up in North Dakota and coming to know Sr. Albina throughout these years, one comes to realize that giving was the most precious gift one could offer to another.   Throughout Sr. Albina’s entire life as a catechist, teacher, educator and now serving others at this retreat house, she has given of herself, given the best of herself that others may live.  From the smallest to the greatest measure, Sr. Albina strives to live her life modeled by the life of our foundress, Blessed Josaphata… to serve where the need is the greatest.We are blessed because our lives have been enriched by these two special women.. Women who have dedicated their entire life to God and in doing so, they have committed themselves to loving those who enter their lives along life’s journey.

We are fortunate and far richer because their life has graced each of us.  May they continue by their very being to be the face of God for all whom they encounter for many years to come!A special presentation of a plaque from the town of Sloatsburg was made to each of the jubilarians by Mayor Wright, on behalf of the town, congratulating them on the many accomplishments of their lives of service, and their lifelong dedication to teaching and serving children and adults in a wide variety of ministries.

They were honored by the town with the declaration of August 1st, 2009 as Sister Albina Gregory and Sister Bonaventure Kalawsky Day in Sloatsburg. This is very special day will remain in the memories of all who shared this day with the jubilarians.

Take a tour at our photo gallery for more pictures. Enjoy!

The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate will be celebrating 2 significant dates of their history in the next 2 years, 2009-2010: the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the American Province of the Immaculate Conception and the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the first Sisters Servants for mission in the United States.

As early as the 1910’s, Bishop Sotor Ortynsky first invited the Sisters Servants to work among the Ukrainian immigrants here in the U.S. Unfortunately, this was not a possibility at the time, since there were only 19 Sisters Servants in Canada and sending more Sisters from Ukraine was not feasible. In succeeding years other requests were made, but it was not until 1935 that the arrival of the first Sisters Servants in the U.S. became a reality.

In 1935, Sister Elizabeth Kassian, then Provincial Superior of the Canadian Province of Christ the King, was able to respond to the request of Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky (successor of Bishop Sotor), by missioning five sisters to the first U.S. mission – St. Basil Seminary, Stamford, Connecticut. From 1935-1959, the sisters serving in the United States belonged to the Canadian Province. On December 8, 1959, Sister Jerome Chimy, Superior General, established the Immaculate Conception Province, appointing Sister Vincent Yaremovich as the First Provincial Superior.

As we celebrate these milestones in our history, we, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, are fully aware that our ministry would not have been possible without the love, help and support of so many persons who have worked with us, journeyed with us and allowed us to minister to their needs. All of you have been a vital part of our history.

Keeping you in our hearts and prayers during these coming jubilee years, every month of the year we will be offering our prayers of thanksgiving for the intentions of a selected group of persons who have played a vital part in creating our history in the United States. We will publish our monthly intentions and invite you to join your prayers with ours as we thank God for the privilege of praying with you, working with you and serving you during these last 75 years. Thank you for the opportunity that you have given us to work with you in building the Kingdom of God through our Church in the U.S.

We’ve had 300 different visitors and almost 700 visits! Wow.  Save us as a favorite and keep coming back.

We are truly blessed with nature’s beauty in each season on our property in Sloatsburg.

Take a look at the new Scenery gallery in Photo Gallery featuring photos taken in spring summer, autumn, and winter.  This one was taken from the terrace at the grotto and facing St. Mary’s Villa.

Don’t you wish we had some snow like this during this hot, humid weather? It makes one feel cool just looking at the picture! 

Since we started getting the word out about the new site last Friday, we’ve already had 100 different visitors!  Please send our site to your friends and relatives and save us as a Favorite.

Keep checking the Photo Gallery as we continue to add pictures of our sisters, friends, relatives, and scenery at Sloatsburg!

Our annual Dormition Pilgrimage will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10, 2008. Usually attracting some 4,000 pilgrims, this is the largest annual religious gathering of Ukrainian Catholics in the US. This year’s theme is: Christ our hope, Mary, hope of Christians.

On Saturday evening, we will have two special guests. Father Marcel Szabo, Rector of St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Passaic will celebrate Divine Liturgy at the grotto at 5 PM, and Bishop William Skurla, Eparch of Passaic, will be the celebrant and homilist at the Saturday evening Moleben Prayer Service to the Mother of God at 8 PM.

On the main day, Sunday, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, preceded by a procession, will be concelebrated by Archbishop Stefan Soroka and Bishops Paul Chomnycky (homilist), John Bura, and Basil Losten, at 10 AM.

Detailed schedules are available below in English and Ukrainian.

Please join us at the pilgrimage. See you in August!

Pilgrimage Schedule (English) pdf

Pilgrimage Schedule (Ukrainian) pdf

Our new website is designed to inform you about what SSMI does; so you can take part in our ministries. Take your time and surf the site. You might discover something about SSMI and its sisters that you don’t know.

Many thanks go to Mr. John T. Mosko and Mr. Andriy Demkiv for working hard to make this site extra-special for us. God bless you both!

Please save our site as a favorite and come back often to see what’s new!

Sister Michele
Provincial Superior
Immaculate Conception Province