Sister Miriam Claire Kowal, OSBM
Sister Miriam Claire Kowal, OSBM
from Fox Chase Manor Province
Elected General Superior
The Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great of Fox Chase Manor are proud to announce the election of a member of their province, Sister Miriam Claire Kowal, OSBM, to the position of General Superior. As General Superior, she will serve as the spiritual and organizational leader of the entire order. This position is based in Rome, Italy. Additionally Sister Miriam Claire is required to personally visit and assess all locations of the Order during her six-year term, covering ten countries on four continents. Her main goals during her tenure are to increase the visibility and recognition of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great and promote education of our Order’s founder Saint Basil of Cappadocia (who lived circa 330 A.D.).
The greater Jenkintown area has felt the quiet, gentle, yet strong and consistent impact of Sister Miriam Claire for many years. She was one of the driving forces behind the growth of Manor College (Jenkintown, PA), serving the college for 23 years in various capacities, her last 10 years (1976-1985) as President. In addition to being responsible for the growth of the educational departments of Manor College, Sister Miriam Claire was behind the creation and implementation of the Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center, whose purpose is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the culture and traditions of Ukraine. She has also provided vision and structure to the Fox Chase Manor Province serving on various Provincial Councils (boards of directors) and two terms as Provincial Superior (President/CEO). While Provincial, she envisioned and laid the groundwork for changes and improvements in the infrastructure of the Fox Chase Manor property, resulting in renovations of the Motherhouse to care for retired Sisters and the eventual building of the Holy Trinity Chapel, a chapel styled after 18th century Ukrainian village chapels. In addition to her service to Manor College and the Province, Sister has taught at St George’s School in New York City. Most recently, Sister Claire has been serving as principal of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral School in Parma, Ohio, where she was instrumental in its 2007 re-accreditation by the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association. Sister is presently also a member of the Board of Trustees of Manor College.
