Sisters of St. Basil the Great
710 Fox Chase Road Fox Chase Manor, PA 19046-4198
Tel.: (215) 342 4221, (215) 379 3998 (215) 663 9153
office
Fax: (215) 379 4843
province@stbasils.com
www.stbasils.com
History
With the blessing of Metropolitan
Andrej Sheptyckyj, Mother Olena Langewich, and Sisters
Paphnutia Timochko, Euphemia Kurylas and Jeremia Ewasiechko
(then a postulant) set out from the monastery in Javoriv,
Halychyna (Ukraine) for their mission among the Ukrainian
immigrants. On November 28, 1911, they arrived in Philadelphia,
PA.
Bishop Soter Ortynsky, OSBM, gave the Sisters
a home near the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and
entrusted them with the upbringing of orphans. Children
under the age of six were placed in a home in Chesapeake
City, Maryland in 1912. Eventually the orphanage was
moved to a larger location on Lindley Avenue in Philadelphia.
To support themselves Sisters set up carpet weaving,
did ecclesial sewing, ran a printery and a bookstore.
In the 1920's, under Metropolitan Bohachevsky, a parochial
school system evolved. Sisters immersed themselves in
educational work in parish schools.
In 1926 property was obtained in Fox Chase,
PA, where the motherhouse monastery and novitiate were
moved. In 1930, during Mother Josafata Teodorowycz's
term, the present monastery and Saint Basil Academy
for girls were erected. The annual Mothers' Day pilgrimage
begun in 1931 is held now on the first weekend of October.
In 1947, Manor College was founded in Fox Chase. The
Holy Trinity Chapel and Basilian Spirituality Center,
a long time dream, became a reality in 2000.
With the demise of the Soviet Union history
has come full circle. Contacts with Basilian Sisters
in Ukraine have been renewed and an outreach program
of sharing spiritual, human and material resources bridges
the communities across continents. The Holy Spirit which
guided the Founding Mothers continues to lead and inspire
the Basilian Sisters of the Jesus Lover of Humanity
Province to be creative in their lives of prayer, dedication
and service to the Lord.
Ministries
Sisters serve in the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy
of Philadelphia, PA, and in the Eparchies of Stamford,
CT, St. Nicholas in Chicago, IL, and Saint Josaphat
in Parma, OH. In addition to prayer, their ministry
includes education on all levels, pastoral ministry,
retreat work, catechetics, communication, eparchial
chancery support, cultural folk art and youth ministry.
Fox
Chase Manor, PA
St. Joseph Monastery is the
Motherhouse of Basilian Sisters and the seat of Province
leadership. The community of Sisters who teach and serve
in various ministries and the elderly Sisters, that
support them by their prayer, service and sacrifice,
live there. The old Academy residence hall, Saint Macrina
formation house, a farmhouse, barns, cemetery, grotto,
Manor College and St. Basil Academy are there.
Community
Life - Holy Trinity Chapel is the center
of Sisters’ spiritual life where Sisters
gather for daily worship, pray the Divine Praises,
participate in Divine Liturgy, and spend time
with God. This prayer flows over into their life
in community, which sustains them in their daily
life and apostolate. |
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Spirituality
Center is a place for sharing the rich spiritual
heritage of Eastern Christian Spirituality through reflection,
prayer and learning to refresh both soul and body. Programs
range from iconography, retreats for students and clergy,
women’s discussion groups, prayer weekends and
individual direction.
Basilian
Associates are faithful that participate in the
good works and spiritual graces of the Sisters. The
Associates gather regularly to pray together with the
Sisters and assist them in the apostolate.
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Ecclesial
and Folk Arts and Crafts – depending
on their talents, Sisters engage in music, iconography,
writing poetry, making “pysanky” and
“gerdany” (bead weaving), embroidery,
crafts, etc. |
Education
Sisters are involved in school administration
and teaching on all levels. Sisters teach various disciplines
according to particular state and diocesan requirements.
Education includes religion, heritage studies, Ukrainian
language and participation in religious worship and
activities.
Catechization:
- Sisters prepare children who do not frequent Catholic
schools for reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation
and Holy Eucharist. They also catechize on other levels
in Saturday Schools.
Parish
Elementary Schools: – Sisters teach in parish
schools in these cities: St. Nicholas Cathedral School
in Chicago, IL, St. Josaphat Cathedral School in Parma,
Ohio, St. Josaphat School in Philadelphia, PA, and Saint
George School in New York City, NY.
Saint
George Academy, a parish high school where Sisters
teach, is located in the Manhattan, N.Y.
Saint
Basil Academy, a Catholic all-girl high school,
grades 9 to 12, opened in Fox Chase Manor in 1931. Sisters
teach and administer the college preparatory high school.
Manor
College, Jenkintown -Sisters administer, teach
and run – America’s premier two-year career-oriented
Catholic institution at which students have a choice
of a variety of programs in Liberal Arts. The Dental
Center, Ukrainian Heritage Center and Museum, Basilead
Library as well as the soccer field, are located on
campus grounds.
Chancery
Support
Sisters minister in the chanceries of the Ukrainian
Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and the Eparchy
of Parma.
Pastoral
Ministry
Sisters administer and coordinate activities of the
Pastoral Ministry Center in the Eparchy of Parma. They
visit parishes with Eastern Christian Spirituality programs,
print materials on Eastern Spirituality, give lectures,
produce various catechetical and audio materials on
the subject, catechize adults, conduct workshops for
catechists, etc.
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