By Darlene Fejka
Director, The Pittsburgh Byzantine Catholic Archeparchial Choir
The Pittsburgh Byzantine Catholic Archeparchial Choir (PBCAC) presented a loving tribute in honor of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with their first-ever “Maryfest,” on Sunday Oct. 20.
With its splendid icon of Mary filling the sanctuary, the resonant worship space of St. Elias Church in Munhall, Pa. provided a fitting venue for the mid-afternoon presentation, which included hymns to the Mother of God from both Eastern and Western traditions.
The 24 members of the PBCAC were joined by special guest soloist, native Pittsburgher and cantor Mr. Joe Schubert, whose heartfelt rendering of Schubert’s “Ave Maria” was an inspirational highlight of the program. Mr. Schubert “cantors around the Diocese of Pittsburgh” and dutifully adds that “I go where the Spirit calls me.” PBCAC Director Darlene Fejka interjects that “we are certainly blessed and happy that the Spirit called Joe to join us for Maryfest!”
Other selections offered by the PBCAC were “Bohorodice D’ivo” and “Immaculate Mary,” sung in both English and Church Slavonic, and the sublime “Let Us All Say,” from the Ukrainian Catholic tradition.
There were segments of the program dedicated to readings and reminiscences of the influence of Mary upon the lives of two choir members — soprano Mary Ann Kostrubanic (whose personal story was featured in the October 2024 issue of The BCW) and alto Cristina Calise O’Brien, whose life has been guided by the Theotokos, especially in her volunteer work as a board member of Bethany Christian Services of Western Pa. Director Fejka also pointed out that eight choir members — Mary Uhall, Marlene Uhall, Mary Smaligo, Mary Ann Kostrubanic, Marylyn Barone, Mary Cvejkus, Mary Caryl Planiczki and Mary Ellen Dudick — all carry the name of Mary every day of their lives.
PBCAC bass member Rev. Father James Ragan — who serves the faithful of St. Nicholas Church in Brownsville and St. Mary Church in New Salem, both in Pennsylvania — offered a stirring reading of St. John’s account of the Wedding at Cana, in which Mary instructs the servants to “Do whatever he tells you.” Those timely words ring true in our lives of servitude as well, and delivered a suitable close to the Maryfest program, which then concluded with the audience joining in singing “Radujsja, Carice,” the first song which the PBCAC sung together back in July 1998 at their first rehearsal.
Following the program, a reception was held in the St. Elias Social Hall. A “Pumpkin Spice” theme was enjoyed by patrons of the event, who along with filling their dishes with pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin cookies provided by members of the choir, also dished out abundant accolades to choir members for their tender and evocative choral renditions.
The PBCAC extends thanks to all who sacrificed a beautiful Sunday afternoon to be present at St. Elias Church in honor of Mary, the Mother of God, both in-person and via live streaming.
Grateful thanks also to St. Elias pastor Father Vitalii Stashkevych and members of the church social hall crew under the guidance of Patti Monahan, for their preparation work and gracious hospitality.
