Celebrating A Century Of Life In The Holy Spirit

The Community is still alive with excitement after ten months of a spirit-filled year of celebrating one hundred years of acceptance into the Diocese of Pittsburgh as a diocesan congregation of religious women dedicated to the Holy Spirit.

We look back at the blessing of the Sisters and friends who put in many hours to accomplish all we were able to do. The planning committee, the entertainers, the numerous behind-the-scene  workers, many more than we can begin to name, to them we owe so much.

Our year opened officially with a gathering of friends and Sisters for lunch and a musical presentation of our history at the LeMont restaurant in October 2012. Lively discussion is still heard about the creative presentation of significant moments in the past one hundred of the Sisters depicted by Sister Marita and her group of alumnae and friends.

The highlight of the year was the celebration of the Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul on April 14, 2013. Most Rev. David A.  Zubik, bishop of Pittsburgh and former Motherhouse chaplain of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, celebrated the liturgy and delivered an inspiring homily.  The full Cathedral and the more than fifty priests who participated in the ceremony added to this memorable occasion. The reception following allowed for a gathering of many who participated in the lives of the Sisters.

Throughout this past year, a number of Sisters have gathered each month at the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank to participate in the Produce to People program where they made many acquaintances among the approximate five or six hundred people who come regularly to the facility. The Sisters have been greatly touched by the people they meet and by the dedicated people who manage the Food Bank.  Many lives have been graced, including the lives of our Sisters.  A plan is now in place to have the Sisters continue their presence and assistance at the Food Bank.

The community spent a day a Marian Manor with their Sisters who are residents there. The festivities included a special Mass with the Sisters followed by an ice cream social. Each of the Sisters received a special corsage to wear and games and conversation ended out the day. Everyone present was touched by the time together. Family day at the Motherhouse in June where the Sisters entertain some four hundred family members was also decked out with the theme of 100 years of blessings.

While the year is winding down, there are still a few more activities in the planning. We truly thank God for one hundred years of blessings that have not stopped yet.