RIP  September 8, 2016

Sister M. Mercedes (Victoria Voytko), 85, died Thursday at Emmanuel Center, Danville.

Born June 2, 1931, in Humboldt, she was the youngest child of Michael and Anna (Vantuch) Voytko. She attended local schools and completed her elementary education at St. Joseph School, Hazleton. She graduated from St. Cyril Academy, Danville.

Sister entered the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius on Oct. 3, 1949, and was received as a novice on Aug. 10, 1952. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 13, 1952.

Sister Mercedes received her B.A. and M.A. from Marywood University, Scranton, and was later selected for membership in Phi Alpha Theta (Iota Sigma Chapter) international honor fraternity in history. Sister also continued her education at Fordham, Scranton, Bloomsburg and LaSalle universities.

She taught in parish schools in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Sister also taught at Bishop O’Reilly, Kingston; Bishop O’Hara, Dunmore; and at Sacred Heart Clinic, Wilkes-Barre. She served as principal at St. Joseph School, Nanticoke.

During her 13 years at St. Joseph’s in Danville, Sister served in a variety of capacities. She taught eighth-grade and was high school religious education co-ordinator for three years. Sister Mercedes also served as pastoral assistant, special Eucharistic Minister and Director of Religious Education. She acted as secretary of the Danville-Riverside Area Ministerial Association (DRAMA) and belonged to the following organizations: the St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Parish Board of Education, the Parish Council and the Council of Catholic Women.

Sister Mercedes was engaged in pastoral ministry part-time at the Danville State Hospital for seven years.

Well-known and active in Slovak circles, Sister Mercedes was director of the Jankola Library at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, for 15 years. She was also a member of the Slovak League of America, Slovak World Congress and the Slovak Catholic Federation.

When Sister Mercedes celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977, her family arranged for a special celebration to mark the occasion. A liturgy was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Joseph J. Gavenda at St. Joseph Church, Hazleton, followed by a dinner at Stan Genetti’s Empire Room. Sister Mary James, SS.C.M provided a musical medley and the Honorable Daniel J. Flood, U.S. House of Representatives, offered remarks.

Sister Mercedes was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.

The transferal and recitation of the Rosary will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Maria Hall, Danville, followed by a Wake Service at 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Maria Hall. Burial will be in the Sisters’ cemetery.