Holiday Highlights
SISTERS CELEBRATE THE 2025 CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH GENEROSITY, GRATITUDE & JOY
Christmas Joy at Mt. Assisi Place
Santa refused to reveal what jolly jokes he and Mrs. Claus were telling when they visited Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa., on December 18, but they certainly had our Sisters in the spirit of the season. In the photos below, Santa had Sisters Anece Salay and Cecilia Jacko jingling and giggling all the way; while an antlered Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica, Sister Elaine Hromulak and her sister, Bernadette, were happy to find their names on the nice list again this year.
Christmas Joy at Monocacy Manor
Alumnae, friends and Associates of our Sisters in Bethlehem, Pa., brought their smiling faces and helping hands to Monocacy Manor on December 7, to help the Sisters decorate the White House convent for the holidays. A lot of work got done, but the day was, as always, one of pure joy and fellowship. Our Sisters are forever grateful to those who have been helping for many years, as well as new friends, too. Here, Sisters Barbara Brown, Virginelle Makos and Regina Ann Rokosny enjoy the company of Joe Rodgers, husband of Mary Gonzales (St. Francis Academy Class of 1973), and Louise Kelchner, board member of the former St. Francis Center for Renewal.
Sisters Anita Kuchera and Barbara DeStefano — shown with Sister Marie Therese Sherwood at right — received cozy pajamas to keep them warm on winter nights.
Sisters Marguerite Stewart and Francine Garganta were all smiles while opening presents on Christmas Day at Monocacy Manor. .
Sisters Embrace Spirit of Giving
During Advent, the Sisters who live at San Damiano Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa., collected money and food for the poor in the surrounding community. They were joined in the effort by family members and friends from Pennsylvania, California and Texas. Catholic Charities picked up the haul on December 22, with gratitude for the much-needed help.
Sisters Yolanda Escamilla, Gracy Kundukulam and Georgette Dublino help a representative from Catholic Charities load the food donations they collected leading up to Christmas.
Marian Yavorka Jobe and Carole Munsch Tedesco — both 1973 graduates of Mount Assisi Academy — drop off food donations at San Damiano Convent.
Santa’s Sweetheart
Sister Virginelle Makos made for a very convincing Mrs. Claus during our annual Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa., on November 1. With a volunteer friend as Santa, the North Pole pair brought a little Christmas spirit to patrons of all ages, including this young family.