Jun 13, 2010 3 min read

Sister M. Juliann was born Teresa to Stephen Takacs and Julia Veres on the 24th day of November, 1913. Teresa was baptized and confirmed at Saint Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on the 7th day of December, 1913.

As a young woman, Teresa was an active choir member of St. Mary’s Church, served as Prefect of the Sociality and was a volunteer Red Cross Nurses’ Aid.

On September 14, 1944, Reverend Mother Macrina received Teresa Takacs into the Order of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Upon entering the Novitiate, Sister assumed her religious name as Sister M. Juliann. Soon after, the Sister’s family moved to Roseville, Michigan and became parishioners of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan.

During her sixty-six years of monastic life, Sister faithfully ministered in secretarial work and as manager in the Monastery Card Shop, served as a talented seamstress in the Ecclesiastical S e w i n g department, ministered in Culinary Arts and managed the Monastery linens.

Sister was particularly proud of having taught school students Hungarian dances for Pastors’ Feast Day celebrations.

She was an avid reader whose interest covered variety of topics.

Sister Juliann’s ministries touched lives throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut and the Byzantine C a t h o l i c Seminary in Pittsburgh.

Sister Juliann is preceded in death by three sisters and a brother. Sister often spoke lovingly about her nephews, their wives and families.

Sister Juliann wrote that “Living as a Religious in the Presence of God is a fulfillment of joy and I am grateful for this wonderful privilege because through it, I have been blessed with the abundance of grace.

Over the past several years, due to increased fragility and failing health, Sister Juliann resided at Mt. Macrina Manor. She accepted this change in her life with grace and good spirits. When visiting Sister, she could often be found sitting at her special place in the sunroom with her well-worn community book of prayers. Sister Juliann would look up and slyly smile saying, “You know I am 96. Do you think the Lord knows how old I am? I hope He takes me home soon.” The Lord did not forget, and peacefully called her to Himself early Friday morning.

Sister will long be remembered for her gentle spirit and her quiet ways.

Sister Juliann’s body will be brought to the MONASTERY CHAPEL at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 14th, 2010 where the Panachida Service will be celebrated. Visitation will be throughout the afternoon.

The Parastas Service will be sung at 7 p.m. in the Monastery Chapel of the Sisters at St. Basil.

The Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 15th, at 10:30 a.m. by the Reverend Monsignor Russell Duker, Channcellor of the Byzantine Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.

Interment will follow in Mount Macrina Cemetery.

May God grant Sister Juliann eternal memory!

KEZMARSKY FUNERAL HOME, 71 Pennsylvania Ave., Uniontown, is in charge of arrangements.