We Celebrate the Sisters’ Service Among Us
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be in done unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38)
CIX!
Dear parishioners and friends,
The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate have always been closely associated with the Order of Saint Basil the Great. The first Sisters Servants, Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska and her companions, shared in the missionary spirituality of the Basilians, especially through the spiritual direction of Father Jeremia Lomnycky, OSBM.
One hundred years ago, Basilian Fathers and Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate came from the land of our ancestors to Canada. By working and praying together, they strengthened Ukrainian Canadian immigrants in their faith. Wherever the Fathers went, the sisters were usually not far behind. Sometimes the Fathers reaped where the Sisters had already sewn the seed of faith. The graces that the Basilians imparted through the ordained ministry were strengthened and deepened through the Sisters’ ministry of teaching and of solidarity with the poor, the needy, the abandoned.
Our first shepherd, Adélard Langevin, addressed his initial letter to the Sisters: “Sisters of Mary Immaculate at Saint Nicholas Church”. Saint Nicholas faith-community was the starting point of an apostolate that has since spread throughout the Archeparchy of Winnipeg and beyond. The Sisters' life-sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom has always been a light for this city, not their light, but His light, the Light of Christ shining through each one of them. Through their witness in faith, the Sisters Servants have truly lived-out the words spoken by the Mother of the Saviour: “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.”
This celebration is indeed a homecoming, as we gather with the Sisters at the parish where they began their service. In a special way, we also welcome all those who have been touched by their caring witness.
Dear Sisters, in remembering your jubilee, we celebrate the Grace and Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the constant intercession of His Holy Mother, Your Patroness, and through Blessed Josaphata, your foundress.
Now “let us go forth in peace, in the Lord’s name” for another hundred years of faith, hope and love.
Father Athanasius McVay, OSBM
October 1, 2002
Feastday of the Protection of the Mother of God