May 5th, 2019
Cover artwork created by Kevin Shermock and A.J. Savastinuk
In Joyful Celebration of the 40th. Anniversary of the
Sisterhood of St. Barbara
1979-2019
For their
dedication
We
honor our Sisters before us
and
Our current Sisters, for their accomplishments
As significant and integral Members
of our
Church’s Life.
To our
future Sisters, may Christ give you guidance
as you continue our legacy.
1984 Members
2010
Presidents,
The Sisterhood of st. Barbara
Mary Thomas Jean Zrowka,
Annette Swenda.
Alexis Vale Alice Ferrer
Lil Kopetz,
Mary Skiba.
Jeanette Murin,
Olga Grib,
Lorraine Hruby
Patricia Thanasides,
Joanne D’Arienzo,
Joyce Telep
The Life of Saint Barbara
Taken from the Minutes of their First Meeting
Saint Barbara was raised as a heathen by her father (a Greek) Dioscorus. Against her father’s wishes she had secret instructions from a Christian priest and became a Christian, embracing the Faith fervently.
Legend has it that although her father tortured her and confined her to
an inaccessible tower she escaped to a nearby mountain. Dioscorus and the imperial soldiers of Emperor Maximianus followed and caught her. She was then beheaded by her own father. As he left the spot he was struck by lightning and killed.
Prayers are offered to Saint Barbara to intercede in sudden death. There are many mining towns in Pennsylvania were [named] Saint Barbara because she is the patron Saint because of the hazardous conditions of
mining.
Its Origins
On March 11, 1979 the ladies of the Russian Orthodox Church of the
Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary met for the purpose of forming an
organization. Father Dimitri opened the first meeting with a prayer and a welcome to the members.
The selection of a name for the organization was the first point of
order. With a suggestion by Father Dimitri, a Saint’s name would be appropriate and with that, he offered five saints with a summary of their good deeds and righteous characters: Saint Theodora, Saint Catherine, Saint Barbara, Saint Helen and Saint Olga. With a vote by the show of hands the group present selected Saint Barbara. The official title of the organization to be further designated as ‘The Sisterhood of Saint Barbara.’
The purpose and goal of the newly organized Sisterhood of Saint Barbara
is first its total commitment to God and the glorification of His Holy Orthodox Church, the propagation of the Orthodox Christian Faith and the promotion of Christian virtues among its members. It will be a fund-raising organization to provide adequate resources towards the improvement and betterment of our Church.
Membership in the Sisterhood is open to all women who are members in
good standing of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox church, Clifton, NJ.
The object of the Sisterhood is to bring woman together for mutual
camaraderie, fellowship and service to our parish and community. As members of the Body of Christ, we also extend our philanthropy efforts in various charitable outreach programs and to individuals in need.
The Feast Day of the Sisterhood is the Feast of St. Barbara, December 4th. The Feast is to be observed annually by a Molieben for all living members and Parastas for all deceased members with membership in attendance.
First officers of The Sisterhood of Saint Barbara March 11, 1979:
President: Mary Thomas
Vice President: Jean Candela
Secretary: Emily Nosal
Treasurer: Violet Koribanics
In regard to the past four decades, what follows is a synopsis about
the importance of the Sisterhood and how it has supported the maintenance of the Church over this span of 40 years through our fund raising efforts that provided financial assistance to help meet the needs of many projects of the Church, the rectory and out-reach programs for here in Clifton and in other communities.
By highlighting the events and the efforts by the Sisterhood through
members and current members, we can maintain transparency of the Sisterhood’s main objective, which is maintaining the livelihood of the Church and its spirit.
In 2017, the Sisterhood contributed substantially to the new roof for the Church. Presently, our new project is to earn the funds to repair our Church parking lot; therefore, the proceeds from our fund-raising efforts, going forward, will be earmarked for this cause.
During the first decade 1979 – 1988:
The Sisterhood Guidelines/By-laws-unanimously approved April 1, 1979
Sunshine Ministry and Ways & Means (standing committees).
Fund raising efforts:
Cookbook sales
Entertainment discount coupon books
Home made quilt raffles
Bus trips to: Atlantic City, Memorial Day to St. Tikhon’s, Theatre plays, etc
Easter chocolate candy sales
Merchandise raffles at Willowbrook [Mall]
Chinese auction
Calendar party
Dinner dances: luau, country, winter wonderland
Projects supported through fund raising:
Carpeting in church
Carpeting, furnishings, repairs in rectory
Repairs to school roof
Donations to:
Church building fund
St. Tikhons Seminary
St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Diocesan Center Fund
OCA Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards
Mary Thomas Fund
Seminarian
Repairs inside rectory & school roof
Liturgy & Easter Liturgy books for choir
Supported Church/altar needs:
St. Barbara Icon
Communion serving tables,
Baptismal font
Vestments-priest & altar servers
Drapes & altar covers
Various supplies/needs for Church school & kitchen
Presidents 1979 – 1988:
Mary Thomas Alice Ferrer
Jean Zrowka Alexis Vale
Annette Swenda Olga Grib
During the second decade 1989 –1998:
Sisterhood Guideline amended – Tenure of Office/Elected Office – unanimously approved. November 30, 1998
Fund raising efforts:
Country dance
Supermarket gift certificates
Holiday/Easter candy
Flea market
Rummage sale
Raffles
Entertainment discount coupon books
Lenten fish dinner
Projects supported through fund raising:
Church pews repaired/cleaned
Church carpet/red selected
Furniture for rectory
Altar server vestments
donations to:
Church-Christmas & Easter
St. Peter’s Haven/pantry drive:
Presidents 1989 – 1998:
Lorraine Hruby Mary Skiba
Lillian Kopez Jeannette Murin
Joanne D’Arienzo Patricia Thanasides
Joyce Telep
During the third decade 1999 – 2008:
Fund raising efforts:
Entertainment discount coupon books
Supermarket gift certificates
Cookbook sales
Holiday/Easter candy sale
Flea market
Quilt raffle
Tricky tray
Flowering bulb sale
Fish dinner
Projects supported through fund
raising:
Donations to:
Church/Christmas & Easter
Alaska Diocese/Spruce Island Restoration
St. Tikhon’s Seminary
St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Russian & Mexico Orphanages
Mental Health Clinic
St. Peter’s Haven/pantry drive
Seminarian
Supported Church/altar needs:
New bell system
Vestments/priest & altar servers
Carpeting in Church vestibule
Carpeting & linoleum in rectory
Fence-back of Church & rectory
Fence front of parking lot
Presidents 1999-2008:
Joyce Telep Jeannett Murin
Patricia Thanasides
During the fourth decade 2009 – present:
Fund-raising efforts:
Tricky tray
Candy & plant sales
Supermarket gift certificates
Rummage sale/raffle
Dinners-to-go/soup & bake sales
St. Nicholas Day Fish Dinners
Projects supported through fund raising:
Donations to:
St. Tikhon’s Seminary
Mexican Orphanage
St. Andrew’s Summer Camp
Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors
Seminarian
St. Peter’s Haven/pantry drive
Parishioner’s missionary work
Church/Christmas & Easter
Parish Beefsteak event
Christmas Tree
Rectory:
Queen mattress/box springs
Contributed to purchase of new refrigerator
Carpet Cleaning service (one time)
Supported Church needs
Contributed to purchase of new refrigerator in kitchen
Contributed to refurbish class rooms; paint, carpet, etc.
Provided lunch for grounds cleanup crew
Contributed to purchase equipment for OACT [Orange Avenue Community Theater]
Contributed substantially to the new roof
2015: Rummage Sale/auspices of the Sisterhood
Re-Established the Sunshine Ministry
Sisterhood of St. Barbara Fund Raising Boutique formed
Memorial Photograph – Irene Subtelny
2016: St. Barbara prayer cards & small icons for females who were Christened into the Orthodox Church
First financial audit
2017: Celebrated Sub-deacon Christopher
2018: web-site established: http://stbarbara.assumptionoftheholyvirginchurch.com/
Presidents 2009 – Present
Joyce Telep
June Zachmann
Sharon Koribanics
We wish to extend a special Thank You to the following who worked tirelessly in sharing their talents and time on the preparations for our 40th Anniversary Celebration:
Archpriest Terence Baz, Matushka Barbara Baz, Ludmilla Di Milla, Sharon Koribanics, Barbara Polk, Katherine Robinson, Deborah Sancenito, John Savastinuk, Kevin Shermock, Joyce Telep and Marilyn Wong-Hutnyan. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this anniversary so memorable.
Thank you also to Mrs. Leslie Franciose, Professional Photo Finishing (Pro-Lab), for your generous donation of the frame and your time and talents in the reproduction of the Saint Barbara commemorative artwork.
To all our Sisters that includes a membership of 117 hardworking ladies over the span of 40 years thank you for all of your labors in having built our Sisterhood of Saint Barbara organization over the course of many years. Remembering their names, their life stories, and their contributions is a true gift in with can never be repaid; ‘a cloud of witnesses’ who have already given us a priceless heritage, yet another gift to generations to come.
To our departed Sisters: may their Memories be Eternal!
To our living Sisters: may God grant you many, many years!
Some Treasured Memories
“I was in high school, I think, when Mary Thomas, Jean Candela and
other women of the parish decided it was time for women to take a more vocal role in the church. There had been an altar society back in the day, but the women wanted their own organization. That’s what I recall of the “birth” of the Sisterhood of St. Barbara. I was too young to join it then, but I did join when I was in college.
Also, in the late 70’s, Mary, Jean, and the other women of the parish
started something that, up to that point, had been unheard of. They read the Epistle during Sunday Liturgy. At the time, it was revolutionary. [I] joined the list when I joined the choir, in my late teens. The Sisterhood of St. Barbara was, and remains, a hard working part of the parish. God bless “the Sisterhood.” – Daria Chasse (nee Rydzaj)
“After Easter when we had the plants in the church, the members of the
Sisterhood of St. Barbara used to deliver them to the people who were sick.
They were so happy to receive them. They missed church so much and this gave them comfort.” – Helen Dolocheck
“I remember back when Fr. Oselinsky was our priest. We had our
Christmas party in the church hall in the evening before Christmas. It was very nice. I would guess there were around 20-25 women. We each brought a grab bag gift to exchange. There was wine, snacks and food like salads, etc. It was a very festive party, and I still have the “take home” gift that everyone got.
A nice memory.
And remembering Mary Thomas who was such a wonderful person and
witnessing her devotion to God and the church was very inspiring!” – Olga Grib
“I was in grade school and went to the Calendar Party with my mother in
the Father Olchovy Memorial Hall. I thought it was the greatest thing! was in grade school.
It was exciting to see all the decorated tables overflowing and
decorated to the ceiling…Halloween, July 4th, June Bride, Easter, Christmas and so on. Each table made their own food.
I remember Jean Soroka, Jean Candela, Violet and Irene Koribanics, the
Telep family, Irene Subtelney, Torres family, Coleson family, Alice Basic, Olga Grib. There were many more, sorry, I forgot your names.
I remember this party to this day. It was a great event.
To join the Sisterhood, I was interviewed by Jean Soroka, who was
President (30 or more years ago). She said ‘All we do is for the Glory of God’.
The Sisterhood still keeps this tradition alive today.
Many Years!” – Pat Mazur
“It was some time ago, I was enjoying my coffee during coffee hour
after Divine Liturgy, when Marion Dutkevitch coaxed me to attend a Sisterhood of St. Barbara meeting with her. Father Stephen was our new priest. It is more than a decade ago and I’m still here… attending meetings and working alongside some of those same “hardworking dedicated women” who welcomed me to my first meeting. Kudos to you all for your steadfast loyalty as we continue working together with love for our Church. God Bless!” – Barbara Polk
“My first memory is when the Sisterhood ran the Tricky Tray Fund-raiser.
Although it was a lot of hard work getting donations for the gift baskets to be raffled off, it was always a huge success each year. Joyce Telep always chaired the event and I recall she always managed to get her family members involved to help out, it was always very organized, always a job well done! I recall the hall was filled from one end to the other with gift baskets. People would be lined up outside waiting for the doors to open. I even found an old listing of all the gifts from 2008. Next would be the St. Nicholas Fish Dinner – this event has always been successful. I keep saying they need to charge more for a ticket, given the food items that are prepared. The Sisterhood members also provide the desserts. They always come through with their support for our Parish and they do it with love and dedication.
More recently – the Sisterhood made a substantial donation towards the
new Church roof in 2017. Without their generous contribution, we wouldn’t have been [able] to pay for the roof without withdrawing funds from our investment account.
In closing, we are a better parish because of the many members of the Sisterhood, past and present, their love and dedication for this Church is undeniable and we are so blessed to have them!” – Donna Betza
Letters from Past Presidents
Annette Swenda
As one of the original founders and past President of the Sisterhood of St.
Barbara, I remember nothing but fun and laughter, and good times. One of the most fun times we used to have Theme Dances one a year, with theme decorations. We had a Hawaiian Luau, Winter Wonderland,
and a country western even with a jail someone built. I remember painting the back- drops for each theme that were hung up behind the band. It was a large canvas from almost one side of the stage wall to the
other, not quite but also from ceiling to floor. The night of the dance there were flood lights on the floor shinning up on the canvas.
Entrance to the hall had decorations, table decorations. We not only planned the food menu for the affair..we cooked all the food and served all the food. After the guests all left, we cleaned the hall and the kitchen before we left. As I look back, I have nothing but happy memories.
Happy 40th !! God grant you many years.
Olga Grib
Congratulations to all the members in the Sisterhood of Saint Barbara!
Happy 40th anniversary.
It has been a pleasure to be involved with such a wonderful family of Sisters.
May the Sisterhood of Saint Barbara continue to grow and do good works.
Withlove and prayers.
Joyce Telep
It has been my extreme honor to serve as President of the Sisterhood of Saint Barbara for many years.
I honor all the past members who were my inspiration and had set an example of dedication and devotion. I often think about all the beautiful women I have had the honor to work with and [thus] I hold them so close to my heart. My enthusiasm and devotedness grew from the
love I feel for all my Sisters and especially my faith in God. Saint Barbara’s
life guides my passions and taught me how to serve our Church, our families and community. I am heartfully grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve.
June Zachmann
My time as President brought me much joy and I continue to support the wonderful women of our Parish. One of the best memories I have was planning and putting on our first Annual Tricky Tray. It was a time that I discovered what wonderful and dedicated women there were in the Sisterhood. I pay reverence to my Sisters who have passed away and acknowledge all the current members. Congratulations on 40 years to
the Sisterhood of Saint Barbara.
2010 Members
