Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great 2021 Summer Camp
The Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great and the St. Sophia Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics jointly held a day camp August 16-20 at Fox Chase. This was the fourth collaboration and included about thirty children ages 6-13. The week’s theme was the Seven Sacraments and the program consisted of catechism, crafts, embroidery, dancing, games, and sports.
The camp was staffed by Sisters and laity. Among the former were Sister Rose Ann Bukaczyk, OSBM, Sister Teodora Kopyn, OSBM, Sister Olga Mykhayliuk, OSBM, Sister Lydia Sawka, OSBM, and Sister Joann Sosler, OSBM. The latter group was formed by Iryna Ivankovych, President of St. Sophia; Sean McLaughlin, Director of the Basilian Spirituality Center; and several volunteer assistants who helped facilitate daily activities.
Three priests from Ukraine and their families helped facilitate the week: Father Ostap Mykytchyn, Father Roman Oliynyk, and Father Ruslan Borovyi, who all belong to the group of missionaries who arrived this Spring to minister in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Additionally, the Sisters’ chaplain, Father John Ciurpita, celebrated Divine Liturgy on August 19 for the Feast of the Dormition. Bishop Andriy Rabiy also visited the camp.
The camp offered a great way to conclude the summer by engaging participants through learning and fun in the Ukrainian language. Most importantly, it gave spiritual nourishment through catechism, prayer, and the Mysteries of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. All of the Sisters of St. Basil enjoyed the campers’ youthful energy and seeing a new generation of Ukrainian Catholics being formed at Fox Chase.
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 province@stbasils.com 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
Photos Credit Halyna Vasylytsiya
Photo 1 Sister Rose Ann Bukaczyk, OSBM, Most Rev. Bishop Andriy Rabiy and Campers
Photo 2 top row center Father Ruslan Borovyi, Sr. Olga Mykhayliuk, OSBM, and Campers
