Sisters of SS. Cyril & Methodius

   THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS—A CHRONOLOGY

 

Note:  This information was gleaned from a number of sources.  There are significant omissions (e.g., history of the building of Maria Joseph Manor, Emmanuel Center, and the Meadows; the names of the Superiors General and Chaplains over the past ten years, etc.).  This is, therefore, to be considered a “living” document that will be updated to reflect information as it is submitted.  Please send additions and/or corrections to:  Mercy Kowalczyk, Editor, The Challenge, 441 Twin Streams Drive, Warminster, PA  18974; e-mail: mercykowal@aol.com, and provide a copy of whatever documentation you have with your update.  Any original documentation that you wish to retain should not be sent to me; rather, send a Xerox copy.  Any original documentation that you wish to donate to the Sisters will be gratefully received and your gift will be acknowledged.   Please send those items to me as a collection point.  I look forward to your help in completing this documentation.

 

 

1903

Rev. Matthew Jankola conceives establishing a religious community to teach in schools connected with Slovak parishes.  Pope Pius X issues the decree forming the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius.  St. Anthony’s Treasury is established to encourage vocations and assist financially in the education of worthy individuals for the priesthood and religious life.  The pioneer Sisters are financed by this fund.  The Rev. Matthew Jankola is a member of the Priests’ Society of St. Anthony’s Treasury.   Long term, support for, and a hands-on role in, the Sisters’ education is provided by Sr. M. Immaculata, IHM, Dean, Marywood College.

 

8 September 1908

Sacred Heart Convent in Wilkes-Barre, PA opens under the direction of Sr. M. Conception, IHM.

 

11 September 1909

The first three Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, all from Hazleton, PA, take their vows in the Chapel of Mt. St. Mary’s in Scranton, PA.  Support  of the fledgling Order is provided by the Most  Reverend Michael J. Hoban, Bishop of Scranton.

 

30 August 1910

SS. Cyril and Methodius Convent opens in Bridgeport, CT.

 

1 September 1910

St. Joseph Convent, Hazleton, PA, opens.

 

11 September 1911

St. John the Baptist Convent opens in Pittston, PA and serves as a novitiate under the direction of Mother M. Loyola, IHM.

 

1912

The new Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius number 39 members at Mount St. Mary’s in Scranton, PA.

 

6 January 1912

The Sisters open a school at the future location of Holy Ghost Convent in Olyphant, PA.

 

August 1913

St. Stephen Convent, Plymouth, PA, opens and serves as a novitiate under the direction of Mother M. Loretta, IHM.  Support is provided by the Most Reverend John W. Shanahan, Bishop of Harrisburg.

 

1914

Holy Ghost Convent building is erected in Olyphant, PA; it serves as a novitiate from 1914-17.

 

 

 

May 1914

The Sisters undertake their first assignment in the Harrisburg Diocese, caring for the orphans at Immaculate Conception Jednota Home.

 

1915

Mother Mary (Mihalik) becomes the first Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius.  She serves two years in the post.  She is followed by Mother M. Emmanuel  (Pauly) who serves as Superior General from 1916-1922.

 

1917-19

A building at the location of the Immaculate Conception Jednota Home serves as a temporary motherhouse.  It later becomes St. Ann’s Home for the Aged.  Support of the Sisters’ efforts is provided by the Most Reverend Philip R. McDevitt, Bishop of Harrisburg.

 

1919

Castle Grove, in Danville, PA, owned by John Bennett, is purchased in 1919 for the site of a permanent motherhouse.  Rev. Thomas F. X. Dougherty assists Mother Emmanuel in negotiating the purchase of Castle Grove.  The property is renamed Villa Sacred Heart.  Mother M. Monica, IHM, serves as Mistress of Novices during the early years of the Congregation at Sacred Heart Villa.

 

1922

Mother M. Pius (Yakubov) becomes Superior General and sets in motion plans for creating an academy for young girls.  Mother Pius also becomes Principal of the Academy, then known as The First Catholic Slovak Girls High School, serving in the post until 1934.

 

11 September 1922

Opening of the first school year of the Academy.

 

1924

The first issue of the Fialky is published.  It is the first Slovak school publication in America.

 

14 June 1926

The graduation of the first class of ten students is held at the Academy.  Nine become Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius.  The graduation ceremonies are attended by five bishops; four bishops represent Kosice, Bystrica, Spis, and Trnava.  The Most Reverend Philip R. McDevitt, Bishop of Harrisburg presides.

 

18 June 1926

Slovak Girls Academy is accredited by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

1927

The newly created Slovenska Matica Skolska begins a drive to raise funds for a new building with a goal of $150,000.  The drive is successful.  The Rev. John P. Bolen becomes Chaplain and serves until 1945.

 

23 May 1929

Ground is broken for the new Slovak Girls Academy building.

 

2 September 1929

The cornerstone of St. Cyril Academy is laid.  Officiating are:  Bishop Thomas C. O’Reilly of Scranton, Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland, and Bishop Philip McDevitt of Harrisburg.

 

1931

The new Academy building opens.  Dedicated by Bishop Philip McDevitt, the tower is named “Philip” in his honor.

 

1934

Mother M. Emerentia (Petrasek) becomes the fourth Superior General of the Congregation, serving until 1946.  She also serves as Principal of the Academy from 1934-1936.

 

1936

Mother M. Inviolata becomes Principal of the Academy, serving until 1946.

 

14 June 1938

Ground is broken for building of the Chapel.  The project is undertaken by Reverend Mother Bernard, SSCM.

 

6 June 1939

The cornerstone of the Chapel is laid.

 

7 October 1939

Dennis Cardinal Dougherty of Philadephia, PA, consecrates the new Chapel.

 

17 October 1939

The altars of the new Chapel are consecrated by Bishop Leech.

 

22 November 1939

The Stations of the Cross in the new Chapel are erected by Bishop Leech.

 

1941

St. Ann’s Home for the Aged is opened by the Sisters in Scranton.

 

1945

The Rev. Alphonse Marcincavage becomes Chaplain and serves until 1949.

 

1946

Mother M. Crescentia (Bendik) becomes the fifth Superior General, serving until 1958.  Mother M. Bernard serves as Principal of the Academy until 1958.

 

1949

The Rev. Karl S. Stofko becomes Chaplain and serves until 1952

 

1952

The Rev. Joseph V. Smarsh becomes Chaplain serving until 1959.

 

19 July 1953

Bishop George L. Leech officiates at a SS. Cyril and Methodius Pilgrimage in Danville, under the auspices of the Catholic Slovak Federation.

 

7 October 1954

Sacred Heart Psycho-Educational Clinic is established under the direction of Sr. M. Seraphia.

 

30 August 1955

The Academy’s name changes from Slovak Girls Academy to Saint Cyril Academy.  Ground is broken for a new wing.  The Rev. Joseph Smarsh , Chaplain, offers the blessing at groundbreaking as the Sisters sing the Magnificat.

 

June 1956

The former home for the Aged and Disabled Railroad Employees of America becomes Villa St. Cyril.  The Sisters receive the support of the Most Reverend Lawrence F. Schott, Auxiliary Bishop of Harrisburg.

 

1957

The new wing is completed and is named St. Methodius Convent.  Bishop George Leech erects the Crucifix in the Sisters’ Community Chapel.  Bishop Lawrence Schott officiates at the consecration of the altar in the Magnificat Chapel of the new convent building.

 

3-5 April 1957

Junior- and Senior-year students move into the new St. Philomena wing.  The passage between the Academy Chapel and the Methodius Convent is named the Angel Passage.  The corridor housing the library and the students’ dining hall is located in the Philomena wing.

 

15 September 1957

Bishop Leech blesses the new Philomena wing.

 

1958

Blizzard Farm is purchased and is renamed St. Joseph Corner.  Reverend Mother M. Bernard (Hudak) becomes Superior General of the Congregation, serving until 1970.  Mother M. Crescentia becomes Principal of the Academy until 1964.

 

17 September 1958

The remains of Mother Mary are transferred from Middletown, PA, to the Motherhouse Cemetery in Danville, PA for reburial.

 

5 May 1959

The remains of Rev. Matthew Jankola, founder of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, are transferred from Bridgeport, CT, to the Motherhouse Cemetery in Danville, PA for reburial.  The Rev. Eugene Kozar, C.P. officiates at the reburial service.  Rev. B. A. Stankiewicz becomes chaplain, serving until 1964.

 

7 September 1959

The Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop of Gary, IN, celebrates the Roman-Slavonic Mass in Honor of the Sisters’ Golden Jubilee at Sacred Heart Villa.

 

19 March 1962

Maria Joseph Manor opens.

 

29 April 1962

The Most Rev. George L. Leech blesses the cornerstone of Maria Joseph Manor and conveys the blessings of Pope John XXIII, communicated through the Apostolic Delegate.  The Manor provides 140 rooms for single/double occupancy.

 

1964

Rev. Gerard Heintzelman becomes chaplain, serving until 1969.  Sister M. Innocenta becomes Principal of the Academy, serving until 1969.

 

1969

Rev. Stephen Jordan becomes Chaplain, serving until 1971.  Sister Rose Mary becomes Principal of the Academy, serving until 1978.

 

1970

Mother M. Hermina Hischak becomes Superior General, serving until 1972.

 

1971

Rev. Walter Halaburda becomes Chaplain, serving until 1976.

 

1972

Mother M. Valeria becomes Superior General, serving until 1980.

 

1976

Rev. Arthur J. Long, SJ, becomes Chaplain, serving until 1988.

 

1978

Sister M. Agneta becomes Principal of the Academy, serving until 1980.

 

1980

Sister M. Raymund Horvath (’31) becomes Superior General, serving until 1988.  Sister Donna Marie Ivanko (’52) becomes Principal of the Academy, serving two terms:  1980-1996 and 1998-1999.

 

1988

Rev. John Sukniac becomes Chaplain, serving until 1996.  Sister M. John Vianney Vranak (’49) becomes Superior General, serving until 1992.

 

1992

Sister M. Paracleta Amrich (’47) becomes Superior General, serving until 2000.

 

1996

Rev. Frederick Farace becomes Chaplain, serving until 1998.  Sister Mary Ann Nemec becomes Principal of the Academy, serving until 1998.

 

1998

Rev. Francis Malinowski, C.S.Sp., becomes Chaplain.

 

May 1999

The last high school class graduates from Saint Cyril Academy.  Over the period 1922-1999, 2502 students have walked its halls.

 

 

Prepared by Mercy Kowalczyk (’64)

Editor, The Challenge

29 June 2019