Our sponsored ministries—the direct work of Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius—support our mission of evangelization, education, elder care, and ecumenism.

Evangelization

Evangelization—bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation—can be found in all of our work. From our chaplains actively serving at Danville State Hospital to our Saint Cyril Preschool and Kindergarten students performing the annual Christmas Pageant, we are each called to deepen our faith, believe in the Gospel message, and go forth to proclaim the Gospel. One of our sponsored ministries is Saint Cyril Spiritual Center, where we provide a place to refresh the mind, body, and spirit.

Education

Our religious congregation of women was established by Father Matthew Jankola to meet the educational needs of Slovak children arriving in the coal regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania during the early 20^th century. Since our first three sisters were professed in 1909 and began teaching in parishes, we have continued our century-old tradition of providing quality education. Our Sisters have taught at Saint Cyril Academy (an all-girls boarding school in Danville through 1999) and schools throughout the country. Our sponsored ministries include Saint Cyril Preschool and Kindergarten and Jankola Library and Slovak Museum located at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, Pa.

Elder Care

We provide elder care to older Sisters from our own Congregation and other religious communities that have relocated to Maria Hall at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville. Maria Hall offers a friendly staff of professionals dedicated to serving the needs of our residents.

Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community is one of our sponsored ministries, located at 1707 Montour Blvd, Danville, Pa. The mission began in 1962 with the opening of Maria Joseph Manor, and ever since then, we have continued to grow and meet the need of housing and care for older adults. At Maria Joseph, we offer living options for all levels of care including: The Meadows Independent Living, The Manor Personal Care, Nazareth Memory Center Personal Care and Emmanuel Center for Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Ecumenism

Christ gave a farewell address at the last supper and expressed his wish “that all may be one” in the Trinity (John 17:22). Through our work, we promote the cooperation and better understanding among different religious groups and denominations. We strive to unite people of different Church traditions in order to develop closer relationships and better understandings of one another.

Sisters have served on ecumenical commissions and local ministerial councils, and hold memberships in groups dedicated to pastoral care and Christian ethics. The Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, has been the site of numerous ecumenical gatherings. We host annual prayer services for peace and unity, including “Prayer Outside the Walls,” inviting all to join us. One of our sponsored ministries is Saint Cyril Spiritual Center, where we provide a warm welcome to people of various faiths and ages and host retreat groups including Tres Dias, Lutheran pastors and Episcopalian clergy, among others.