Meet Sister Diane

NOTE: Sister Diane Mason was appointed the director of the Providence Associate Relationship after the death of founding director, Sister Mary Alice Zander, in March 2011.

A familiar face was appointed by the General Council in July 2008 to the newly created position of assistant director of Providence Associates. Sister Diane Mason, a member of the Providence Associates Advisory Group since its inception in the fall of 2005, looks forward to her new ministry.

“I simply wanted to take an active role in this new adventure,” said Sister Diane. “When this position became available, I sent my necessary papers and had the interview. Since I received the call that I was going to be the assistant director of Providence Associates I sincerely felt a tremendous depth within me. It is indeed a very deep and profound privilege and graced moment for me to be a part of this team.”

Sister Diane ministered 37 years as an educator, 25 of those as a principal. In the last four years, her ministry focus shifted, allowing her “to renew herself personally and spiritually.” She graduated from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership with a certificate in spiritual direction. Sister Diane received one unit in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at a Trauma One Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill., and she participated in a one-year chaplain residency program at Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare.

“I see the relationship between associates and sisters in the 21st century as a viable way for lay women and men to share in the mission and charism with the vowed religious members,” shared Sister Diane. “The relationship between associates and sisters is mutually enriching. This is not about the associates coming on board to bring only change. This is about being together as sacred human beings — seeking new ways to become deeper instruments of God’s people.”

Sister Diane looks forward to working with Sister Mary Alice Zander, director of Providence Associates.

“I have met with Sister Mary Alice a few times throughout the summer. I am overwhelmed by all that she had done and continues to do. The organization, the written communication and her personal contact with individuals never seem to stop. Sister Mary Alice is well respected by the advisory board and the little that I have seen is highly respected by the associates,” said Sister Diane, who will work from her home in Orland Park, Ill.

“We both have strong work ethics, but we both have a great sense of humor,” said Sister Diane about herself and Sister Mary Alice. “You will hear laughter when you see us working together. It is indeed a privilege for me to be working with Sister Mary Alice. As a team, we will continue to move forward with the Providence Associates. We will take the necessary risks, we will pray for the necessary wisdom and together we will embrace this new age, this 21st century.”

First published in the September 2008 issue of newSPaper, a publication of the Sisters of Providence