Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate Celebrate 90 Years of Ministry in the U.S.
The Ukrainian Catholic community gathered at St. Basil’s Seminary to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Sisters of the Servants of Mary Immaculate’s ministry in the United States. The Divine Liturgy, marking this significant milestone, was led by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak and Bishop Paul Chomnycky of Stamford.
Bishop Paul, in his sermon, noted that the Sisters had always engaged in their ministry, whether it was in the care of the elderly, in teaching, in domestic service or in the beautification of the churches, with joy, faith and supernatural hope in the Lord.
In her address, Provincial Superior Sister Eliane Ilnycky expressed gratitude to the clergy, religious, and faithful who have supported the Sisters’ mission over the decades. “As we reflect on the 90 years of our mission in the United States, we are reminded of the profound role that each of you has played in sustaining and nurturing this mission, both spiritually and practically,” she remarked.
Sister Eliane focused her attention on the pioneering Sisters who first arrived in Stamford in 1935: Sister Constance Malko, Sister Pancratia Solowiy, Sister Alphonse Chrunik, Sister Florence Wus, and Sister Catherine Husulak. “These Sisters were not afraid of a new mission,” she said. “They embraced it with love, dedication, and sacrifice. Their arrival at St. Basil’s Seminary was not just the beginning of a new chapter—it was the planting of a seed that would grow into a flourishing legacy of faith, service, and education.”
The Sisters quickly became a vital part of the Ukrainian Catholic community, particularly through their dedication to education, the formation of young girls, and the preservation of Ukrainian religious and cultural identity. Their mission expanded over the years, leading to the establishment of schools, catechetical programs, and an elder care home in Philadelphia. Their work continues to strengthen Ukrainian Catholic heritage across the United States.
The arrival of the Sisters Servants in 1935 laid the foundation for decades of service, and their legacy remains deeply embedded in the lives of those they have touched. As the community gathered to honor this milestone, it was a moment not only of celebration but of gratitude for the lasting impact of their mission in Stamford and beyond.
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