The Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great in Fox Chase gathered for their annual community days July 5-7, 2016.  Exploring the theme “Embracing the New Reality as We Journey into the Unknown” as a community the Sisters heard presentations; took time to reflect quietly; discussed options and came to some common understandings and resolutions.

Among the topics discussed were Sponsorship of Province Institutions, Mission Effectiveness; finding ways to attract new members; living authentic community life modeled on the first community of Jerusalem; and collaborating with Holy Trinity Province in Ukraine.  As an added attraction, Sister Ann Laszok and Sister Joann Sosler shared their experience from the Ukraine Mission Trip taken this summer accompanied with fifteen lay volunteers.

All was not work, however, as the Sisters companion each other over special conversations, entertainment and delicious Ukrainian, Italian and American cuisine.

Much time was spent with updating and discussion of the NRRO (National Religious Retirement Office) Planning and Implementation Program in which the Sisters have elected to be involved.  The primary focus of this eighteen month planning is to address the retirement needs of the Sisters specifically to include:  elder care delivery and operations for future planning; appraisal of land and buildings for alternate use or sale; audit of the Development Office and the feasibility of a Capital Campaign; and determine the financial impact of our sponsored ministries on the Province’s sustainability.

Inherent in the above focus are the values what we want to honor in the planning process; that is, to make eldercare person centered and to preserve the Basilian spirit of community and hospitality honoring mutual respect and trust.  The Sisters left the meeting with a spirit of hope and trust inspired by the quote from their Constitution “The Kenotic Way”

Gathered together in the name of the Lord

and consecrated to him.

We are sent forth

to announce the Kingdom of God,

and to witness the joy and peace

of the new life we have received. (KW #190)

Since 1911 the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great have served in the United States.  The Sisters strive to be a Praying, Healing, Life-Giving Presence in every community they minister, especially in the field of education.  Their Motherhouse is in Fox Chase Manor, Pennsylvania, which is just outside Philadelphia.  The Sisters can be reached by email at [email protected] by telephone at 215-379-3998 and by mail at 710 Fox Chase Road, Fox Chase Manor, PA 19046.  Their website is www.stbasils.com