Interviews for the Basilian Centennial Documentary
May 21-22, 2011
Women of Spirit Trailer
Mykola Yaremko, cinematographer at Red Eft Media, and Sr Ann Laszok,
OSBM, interviewed eleven people who recalled their experiences with the
Sisters of St. Basil over the last 75 years. The alumni art exhibit for
the 75th celebration of St. Nicholas School was that weekend also.
The Sisters of St. Basil had been teaching at the parish
prior to the opening of the school. May 6, 1940 marked the first 8th grade
graduation at St. Nicholas, Chicago. Bishop C. Bohachevsky awarded diplomas
to 14 graduates that year. The Sisters have taught thousands of Chicago
students since then. The enrollment at its peak was over 1500 students.
Many of the people recalled the hard work of the Sisters
in general; teaching large classes not only the three Rs but also religion
and respect for our Tradition and culture. Ms. Maria Klysh-Finiak, Principal,
stated that St. Nicholas was one of the few Catholic schools in Chicago
that still has Sisters teaching in the school.
The following people shared their memories and photos on
camera (and off!): Maria Jurewycz (who remembered Sr Athanasius’s
help in obtaining employment in the cafeteria when her husband got TB),
Orysia Burdiak (who remembered Srs. Tharsilla and Bernarda for their concerts),
George Matwyshyn (who recalled that without the Sisters the school would
not have existed because they worked for donations only for a long time),
Lesia Boyczuk who recalled all her favorite nuns, Maria Klysh-Finiak,
present Principal, who had 11 members and three generations of her family
finish at St Nicholas, Oksana Leseiko (who stills goes to Ukraine with
Sr Bernarda Arkatin, OSBM on charitable orphanage missions) as well as
Roksolana Cirincione, Jaroslaw Prociw, Tamara Polansky, Luba Markewycz
and Lesia Roszkewycz.
The Centennial Documentary will be shown on November 6,
2011 at the Centennial Banquet in Philadelphia. This historic DVD will
be available for purchase after the Centennial celebration. Anyone still
wishing to add to the documentary can contact Sr Ann Laszok, OSBM at srannl@aol.com
or 412-260-1607. For more information on the Banquet visit www.stbasils.com
or call 215.379.3998 - Ext. 17.
Mykola Yaremko, cinematographer at Red Eft Media, and Sr Ann Laszok,
OSBM, interviewed eleven people who recalled their experiences with the
Sisters of St. Basil over the last 75 years. The alumni art exhibit for
the 75th celebration of St. Nicholas School was that weekend also. 
Many of the people recalled the hard work of the Sisters
in general; teaching large classes not only the three Rs but also religion
and respect for our Tradition and culture. Ms. Maria Klysh-Finiak, Principal,
stated that St. Nicholas was one of the few Catholic schools in Chicago
that still has Sisters teaching in the school. 
The Centennial Documentary will be shown on November 6,
2011 at the Centennial Banquet in Philadelphia. This historic DVD will
be available for purchase after the Centennial celebration. Anyone still
wishing to add to the documentary can contact Sr Ann Laszok, OSBM at srannl@aol.com
or 412-260-1607. For more information on the Banquet visit www.stbasils.com
or call 215.379.3998 - Ext. 17.