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NOVEMBER 4, 2007
By Sister Margie Lavonis, CSC NOTRE DAME – Few people associated with Saint Mary’s College have a greater knowledge of its history or love for its alumnae and dedicated faculty and staff than Holy Cross Sister M. Basil Anthony O’Flynn. To show its gratitude for her great love and devotion, the college gave her a 90th birthday party on October 16. In her remarks given at the celebration, Carol Ann Mooney, president and an alumna herself, put it well when she said, “When you talk about the heart of Saint Mary’s, talk always turns to the woman we honor today, Sister Basil Anthony O’Flynn. For generations of Saint Mary’s alumnae, she is Saint Mary’s.” Sister B.A., as she is affectionately called, grew up in Washington, D.C. Her parents, who were Irish immigrants, instilled in her and her brother, Anthony, a deep faith and a love of learning. Eventually, she became a Sister of the Holy Cross, and he, a Jesuit priest. As far back as she can remember, she wanted to become a sister. The first sisters she had in school were Dominicans from Wisconsin. After she graduated from high school, she worked while attending evening classes at Dunbarton College of Holy Cross in Washington, D.C. There she met her future community, the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Her mother died when she was very young so she stayed with her father until he, too, died. At that time, her brother, who knew she was thinking of religious life, challenged her to make a decision. “It’s now or never,” he said. So in 1941, at the age of 24, she went to Saint Mary’s to enter the Sisters of the Holy Cross. “It was a very special time being the centenary year of the Congregation,” she said. The first 17 years of her life of ministry were spent working in the general administration of her congregation. With the exception of a few years, the rest of her life’s work, over 40 years, was at Saint Mary’s College where she served in a variety of capacities. She began her career there in 1961 when she was asked to take over the role of dean of students, a position she had until 1968. About those turbulent years (of many changes), she says, “I had both the good luck and misfortune to serve in that capacity during some of the most interesting times on college campuses.” From her position as dean she went on to become vice president for fiscal affairs, then vice president for public relations and development. In 1974 she left the college for a short time to follow a lifelong goal to perform hospital-based ministry. She returned to Saint Mary’s in 1979 where she became a special assistant to the vice president of college relations. She officially “retired” in 1998 but continues to be involved in the life of the college as a volunteer. Sister Basil Anthony is well loved and is truly an icon of the college. The citation proclaimed in 1994 when she received the President’s Medal says, “She is sought out for her knowledge, her sincere and exemplary faith, her belief in the power of prayer, her honesty, her courage and her subtle ability to bring out the best in others. She mentors with warmth, humor and a spirituality that is both contagious and moving.” A testimony to this are the many messages sent by alumnae in response to a request for stories and memories of sister. A 1970 graduate wrote: “I know this should be a time for giving you a gift as you celebrate your birthday, but I want you to know what a gift you have given me in my life. You made such a positive difference in my life, and I am certain other women who went to Saint Mary’s feel the same.” Another wrote: “I know that God is well pleased with this precious servant of his. I pray that she has many more years in his service. How fitting that her namesake, Basil Anthony Moreau, was made ‘blessed’ during her lifetime.” Sister Basil Anthony glows when she speaks about Saint Mary’s. “I loved every minute of being at the college. I loved being with the students and everyone was wonderful. I have enjoyed my life thoroughly and wish I could share it with everyone. I can never remember a time when I was unhappy.” When asked what her greatest accomplishment in her years of service has been, with a twinkle in her eye, she says, “The friendships. Friends mean a lot.” Finally, she wants everyone to know that “the sisters have given their life’s blood for this place and continue to pray for its needs and the needs of all those connected with it each day.” Saint Mary’s College has indeed been blessed by this giant of a woman who has given so much of herself for its welfare. * * *
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