DANVILLE, Pa. — Two sisters of Sts. Cyril and Methodius with ties to South Carolina were installed as part of the order’s leadership team at a Eucharistic Celebration in the Basilica of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa., on July 2.
Sister Linda Marie Bolinski was elected to serve a second term as general superior and Sister Pamela Smith will serve as a member of the team.
Sister Linda Marie is a former parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Pittston, Pa., and completed her elementary education at the parish school.
She graduated from St. Cyril Academy in Danville. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Alvernia College, Sister Linda Marie went on to receive graduate degrees from St. Charles Seminary and Villanova University. She also did graduate work at The Citadel.
Sister Linda Marie has taught at both the elementary and secondary levels and served the congregation as director of vocations. From 1979 to 1988, she was assistant superintendent of religious education in the Harrisburg, Pa., diocesan office. She was principal of St. Columba School in Bloomsburg, Pa., and for 15 years served as principal of Blessed Sacrament School in Charleston, S.C.
Sister Pamela Smith served as second councilor on the previous team and also was General Superior from 2000-2004.
A former parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Berwick, Pa., she is a graduate of Berwick High School.
Sister Pamela received a bachelor of science degree, two masters, and a Ph.D. in theology. After teaching at the high school level, she taught theology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and at the Sisters of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., where she also was associate dean. She served as the congregation’s vocations director for four years.
Her books on spirituality and environmental issues are well-known, and Sister Pamela often speaks on the topics at conferences and seminars.
Sister Pamela serves as the director of parish administration at St. Gregory the Great Church in Bluffton, S.C. She also is the diocesan catechetical consultant.