News
New Member Enters Basilian Associate Program
One in Spirit, One in the Lord is the motto of the Lay Associate Program founded by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great in 1991. The program sponsored by the Jesus Lover of Humanity Province includes members in the Philadelphia Archeparchy and Ohio Eparchy.
On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, Thomas M. Verni, upon completion of a year’s candidacy, announced his desire for full membership in the program. During the evening vespers service in the Basilian Motherhouse Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity, Mr. Verni. a St. Basil Academy faculty member, expressed before the assembled Sisters and Associates, his desire to enter into the covenant relationship with the Sisters and to share in the spiritual benefits offered by that association. The Sisters responded with their promise of support and encouragement, the sharing of spiritual benefits and participation in their religious and professional activities. Mr. Verni then signed his commitment and received the lapel pin identifying him as a Basilian Lay Associate.
Associate members Kathy Grace, Mary Quinn, Helen Reiche, Danuta Sawicky and Margaret Sykes then renewed their commitment and the Sisters responded in kind. All present sang the Jesus Prayer accompanied by Margaret Sykes on the flute. (Unable to attend were members Jean Chromczak and Kathy and Joseph Notarfrancesco).
“Tom, you have been gifted by God in numerous ways, not only intellectually, but also with a generous and giving heart that shows in the countless ways that you minister to others,” said Provincial Superior Sister Dorothy Ann Busowski, OSBM. “We congratulate you on this occasion and wish you many happy years. And to all the Associates –One in Spirit–You are an inspiration to us as you seek to minister with us and share in the life of prayer/community of the Sisters…I congratulate you on your dedication and continued desire to be of service to the Church, to the Basilian community and to one another.”
The office of vespers continued followed by a celebratory dinner in the Sisters’ dining room.
The Basilian Associate Program offers the laity an opportunity to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and to come together with other adult Christians to engage in the mission and spirit of the Basilian Sisters. To learn more about this program, please contact:
PHILADELPHIA, PA ARCHEPARCHY–
Sister Rita Stremba, OSBM
srrita@stbasilacademy.org
PARMA, OH EPARCHY
Sister Olga Marie Faryna, OSBM
OMFaryna@aol.com