Sister Yosaphata Litvenczuk:
Originally from Brazil, she was the youngest of nine children. As a teenager, Sister Yosaphata lived in a boarding school run by the Sisters of St. Anna, as her parents had passed away when she was young. She dreamed of becoming a nun, but she was unable to join either the Sisters of St. Anna or the Sisters Servants. She learned about the Missionary Sisters through the Basilian Fathers, and in 1952, she and another young woman traveled to the United States. Sister Yosaphata arrived in Stamford on a student visa to study at the Mother of God Academy, which was organized by the Missionary Sisters, and later remained to join the monastery. Sister Yosaphata has been with the congregation for 73 years, 55 of which she dedicated to teaching and serving at Assumption School in Perth Amboy, NJ.
Sister Evhenia Prusnay:
Sister Evhenia was also born in Brazil. She recalls that Fr. Klymentij Pryjma, Vicar General for the Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Brazil, visited her parish. His talk about monastic life and the
Missionary Sisters piqued her interest. In 1957, with help from the Basilian Fathers, she and another girl traveled to America. After completing her postulancy and noviciate in Stamford, Sister Evhenia chose to remain with the Missionary Sisters. For many years, she cared for children at the Infant Jesus Kindergarten in Philadelphia. Sister Evhenia is also deeply fond of liturgical music, which was a significant factor in her decision to pursue monastic life.
Sister Thomas Buhay:
Born in Centralia, PA, Sister Thomas felt her call to monastic life at 19 years old after attending a mission at her parish led by Fr. Theodore Vinnik, a Franciscan from Sybertsville, PA. His words on religious vocation resonated with her, and in 1963, she traveled with him to visit the monastery in Stamford, where she decided to stay. Sister Thomas often says with a smile that her calling was simple.
Sister Timothea Konyu:
Sister Timothea felt a call to monastic life as early as 7th grade. She went to the library, found a 300-page book detailing various religious orders in America, and read it thoroughly. Wishing to remain within the Byzantine rite, she visited the Sisters Servants and the Basilian Sisters but had one pressing question: would they change their monastic habits? Both orders said they would. However, the superior of the Missionary Sisters, Mother Andrea, assured her that they would not, which led Sister Timothea to join the congregation in 1965. The issue was relevant, as many orders were undergoing changes following the Second Vatican Council. For many years, Sister Timothea taught at St. Ann’s Kindergarten in Stamford and the Infant Jesus Kindergarten in Philadelphia. She now oversees the Treasury of Faith Museum in Philadelphia.
Mother Maria Kelly:
Of Irish descent, Mother Maria grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition. Sensing a call to monastic life, she began researching various communities and discovered the Byzantine rite, which captivated her. Drawn to its liturgical tradition, she learned about the Missionary Sisters’ monastery in Stamford and attended a silent retreat there. Feeling a strong connection to the community, she later worked for six years as a social worker with the elderly in Chicago before leaving everything behind to join the Missionary Sisters in 1997. Entering the monastery at age 33, she is considered a “late vocation.” Mother Maria currently serves as superior of the Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God monastery in Philadelphia.
