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OUR MEMBERS

A Moment in Time... Will Live in Infamy.” When I read about our children and the generations go-
the war in the history books, it gives ing forward.
tion’s history intertwined with me per- me pause, because I experienced the “God Bless America—My Home
sonally. My birthday is on December call to World War II in real time. Sweet Home”!
5, and in 1941, my 7 birthday fell on a My mother came from a family of five Peggy Chabala
th
Friday. My party was to be celebrated girls and five boys. All five of my un-
on Sunday, which was December 7. cles were called to serve their Coun-
As we were singing “Happy Birthday,” try in World War II. These men and
sirens began to blare, church bells women went from a deep economic
began to toll, and we all ran out of our Depression into a World War. These Correction
houses into the street. Some began two events would help to shape what
to cry, others hugged each other, and was to become, “The Greatest Gen- In the June issue of
many ran to the nearest church. The eration” society ever produced! Both the GCU Magazine,
Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor! of my brothers also served in the mili- an error was made
At 7 years old, I could not fully process tary, as did my husband! in the headline of
the magnitude of what was going on. Today, at 90 years old, I cherish the Dr. George Bagay.
The next day, December 8, 1941, we wisdom that I have been afforded. His last name was
all huddled around the radio as Pres- The prism through which I view the accidentally mis-
ident Franklin Delano Roosevelt bel- future is based on our global stance, spelled. We apologize for the error
lowed in a dirge-like tone, “This Day and what our Earth may look like for and wish Dr. Bagay success in his
new optometry practice.

Sr. Barbara Swindells Celebrates 70 Years of Religious Life

Jubilees are an opportunity for all of her life of faithful service. Each Sister
our Sisters to thank God for the gift of also offered her congratulations to the
their vocations. On Sunday, June 22, Jubilarian, taking the opportunity to
we had such an opportunity to cele- share memories of years gone by. Sis-
brate with Sister Barbara Swindells the ter Barbara also shared a few remarks,
70 Anniversary of her religious life. thanking the Sisters for all they did to
th
Metropolitan Archbishop William C. make her celebration so joyful.
Skurla offered the Divine Liturgy of May God grant to Sister Barbara
Thanksgiving. In his homily, Archbish- many spiritually fruitful, blessed, and
op noted that the Gospel was particu- happy years!
larly fitting since it was about the call About The Sisters of St. Basil the
of the Apostles. Like these apostles, Great: The Sisters of St. Basil the Great
Sister Barbara answered the invita- of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province
tion to follow Jesus and did so faith- is a religious order within the Eastern
fully over the course of many years. Catholic Church. The Sisters partici-
Sister Barbara Swindells entered Sr. Susan Sisko, Sr. Barbara Swindells with
the community from St. Mary Church Archbishop William C. Skurla. pate in the life of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, and they take joy in spread-
in Chicago, Il. For over 20 years, Sis- ing the message of the Kingdom.
ter Barbara’s energy was devoted to the foresight to initiate the Cemetery Since 1934, Mount St. Macrina, which
education from the elementary level Integrated Management System, a was once the estate of coal baron Josi-
through high school, at times serv- computerized mapping system. Sis- ah Van Kirk Thompson, has served as
ing as principal or assistant principal. ter directed a further expansion of the the home for the Sisters following their
Following these years, Sister was in- cemetery and the renewal of the Bish- relocation to Uniontown, PA.
volved in a variety of ministries, rang- op’s crypt area, while simultaneously This province is part of the larger
ing from Religious Education to ad- caring for the many unseen but metic- Order of St. Basil the Great, which
ministration on the local level and as ulous details required of management. operates in 13 countries. For more in-
Provincial Councilor. Presently, Sister Barbara schedules formation, please visit www.sistersof-
Sister Barbara spent many years the requested Divine Liturgy intentions.
as manager of Mt. St. Macrina Ceme- At the festive meal following the Lit- stbasil.org.
Susan McCarthy
tery. She oversaw the reorganization urgy, Sister Susan thanked Sister Bar-
of vast cemetery documents and had bara for her fidelity to her vocation and

16 GCU MAGAZINE AUGUST 2025