Monday, July 16: Since the theme for this Chapter was “Building a Bridge to the Future Through the Spirituality of Saint Basil the Great,” work was begun this morning for the creation of a vision statement for the Order. The concepts and ideas that had been shared during the past week had been considered, and a draft of a preliminary statement was composed. The Sisters then met in international language groups to discuss it. Each group reported its thoughts to the large group, and these will be incorporated into the next draft of the statement. The rest of the morning was spent in the ongoing dialogue about the proposals that were submitted.

In the afternoon session discussions continued on the proposals and recommendations for consideration. The Financial report of the General Administration was approved.

After celebrating Vespers with the Sisters from the different countries participating in their own languages, the Sisters gathered in a courtyard for a special barbecue supper honoring and thanking Sister Alphonsa and Sisters Maria Rozmarynowycz (Philadelphia), Yosafata Bubnyak (Ukraine), Mahdalena Mihalicova (Presov), and Veronica Vislocka (Secovce), for their dedicated years of service as the General Administration. Gifts were presented to them, and songs in gratitude were rendered for them.

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