UNIONTOWN — In this year 2015, called for by Pope Francis as the Year of Consecrated Life, jubilees are an opportunity for all of the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great to thank God for the gift of their vocation. After two days of presentations and discussion during their annual Community Days in mid-July, the Basilian Sisters paused to honor three of their own celebrating significant years of religious dedication.

Celebrating their 70th Anniversary of religious life were Sister Martha Elizabeth Moyta and Sister Leocadia Sevachko; celebrating her 60th Anniversary was Sister Barbara Swindells. The hallmark of every such celebration is the Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving offered for the intentions of the Jubilarians. Joyful voices were raised in praise and thanksgiving for the gift of the fidelity of these three sisters. This joy continued during the festive meal following, a time which is always punctuated by a lot of laughter and reminiscing.

Sister Martha Elizabeth Moyta entered the Sisters of St. Basil from Holy Ghost Parish, North Side Pittsburgh, Pa. Continue reading →