“So let us celebrate this gracious, ineffable bond among us! Let us encourage one another to live the gift given in lives of wholeness and holiness! Let us draw courage from one another’s commitment so that we will continue to ‘promote the loving designs of God’s Providence in works of love, mercy and justice among God’s people.’
“Let us remember these gentle words of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin: ‘The heart understands the heart. As yours was speaking … mine understood its language.’
“This is the gift we celebrate today — the union of our hearts in God’s Providence — a union given so that the works of Providence will continue.”
So expressed General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson in her reflection during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal of Providence Associates in the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. Indeed, the entire afternoon was an awesome and sacred day for everyone. (Click here for Sister Denise’s reflection.)
Twenty Providence Candidate-Associates made their first commitments during a Eucharistic Liturgy. Later in the ceremony, 60 Providence Associates from all over the country renewed their commitments. Joining in this afternoon of celebration were Sisters of Providence, family and friends.
General Officer Sister Jane Marie Osterholt, liaison to Providence Associates, welcomed everyone to the ceremony. She also expressed how everyone greatly missed the physical presence Sister Mary Alice Zander, director of Providence Associates. Sister Mary Alice was unable to attend the Rite of Commitment due to health challenges.
Sister Diane Mason, assistant director, organized the day with the assistance of the Liturgy Office. Providence Associate Father Daniel Hopcus presided over the Eucharistic Liturgy.
Below are some images from the day.
To view a video of the day, click here.
Sister Camille Neubauer (left) pins an associate pin on the lapel of Charlotte Norris during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010. Charlotte is from West Terre Haute, Ind.
Providence Associate Sharon Medicis Michaud (second from right) signs her commitment statement as family members look on during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal Nov. 13, 2010. Sharon lives in McMinnville, Ore.
Rosaline Secrest (left) and Carole Stokes are two of the 60 Providence Associates who renewed their commitments on Nov. 13, 2010. Rosaline is from Brazil, Ind., and Carole lives in West Terre Haute, Ind.
Ronda Hoggatt, a new associate from Clinton, Ind., poses for a photo with Sister Mary Ann Lechner prior to the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010. Sister Mary Ann was filling in for Ronda’s companion, Sister Catherine Livers, who was unable to attend.
Providence Associate Roberta King (right) of Terre Haute, Ind., poses for a photo with her companion, Sister Mary Beth Klingel, during the reception on Nov. 13, 2010.
Sixty Providence Associates from all over the country renewed their commitments during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010.
New Providence Associate Diann Neu (left) of Silver Spring, Md., and one of her companions Sister Kathleen Desautels offer petitions during the Eucharistic Liturgy on Nov. 13, 2010.
The new Providence Associates place their commitment forms in baskets during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010.
Posing for a group photo during the reception on Nov. 13, 2010, are (left to right): Sister Mary Montgomery, Sister Marianne Mader, General Officer Sister Paula Damiano, Providence Associate Sharon Medicis Michaud and Providence Associate Mel Wolff.
Liza Hyatt (left) and her companion, Sister Carole Kimes, process to the altar with candles during the Eucharistic Liturgy on Nov. 13, 2010. Liza is from Indianapolis.
Providence Associates Jessi Blessinger (left) and Noreen Jasinski join others in blessing the new Providence Associates. Jessi resides in Knoxville, Tenn., and Noreen lives in Batavia, Ill.
George Thompson and his companion, Sister Regina Marie McIntyre process to the altar with candles during the Eucharistic Liturgy on Nov. 13, 2010. George lives in Louisville, Ky.
Providence Associate Earle Harvey of Terre Haute, Ind., appears to be bending the ear of Providence Associate Paul Salstrom of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.
Providence Candidate-Associates stand during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010.
During the reception on Nov. 13, 2010, Art and Camille Snyder and General Officer Sister Marie McCarthy (right) take a moment to smile for the photographer. Sister Marie was Camille’s companion. Art and Camille reside in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Providence Associate Father Daniel Hopcus blesses the Providence Associate pins held by Shawn Shamsaie and Providence Associate Janice Lilly during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010. Shawn and Janice also serve on the Providence Associates Advisory Board.
The new Providence Associates are blessed during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010.
Providence Associate Beth Kyle (left) served as cantor during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010. Here, she and Sister Lisa Stallings, coordinator of liturgical music and a new Providence Associate Companion, pause for a photo prior to the Eucharistic Liturgy.
Providence Associate Beth Kyle looks to be preparing her son, Charles Guerin, to be a “junior” associate! Beth and her family reside in Camby, Ind.
The commitment forms of the 20 Providence Candidate-Associates are in a basket on the altar during the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010.
New Providence Associate Barbara Russell of Twin Lakes, Wis., (left) poses for a photo with her first-grade teacher, Sister Marie Grace Molloy during the reception in Owens auditorium after the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010.
Providence Associate Paul Beel of Terre Haute, Ind., carries a banner to the altar during the procession of the Rite of Commitment and Renewal on Nov. 13, 2010.
Mary Carroll Blocker, Amy Inserra, General Officer Sister Marsha Speth and Sister Betty Hopf process with a cloth for the altar during the Eucharistic Liturgy on Nov. 13, 2010. Mary Carroll is a new Providence Associate from Greenville, Ohio, and Amy hails from Terre Haute, Ind.
Twenty women and men made their first commitment as Providence Associates on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, during a ceremony in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. They are: (front row, left to right): Sister Diane Mason, Donna Kehoe, Charlotte Norris, Bev McGuire and Joan Frisz; (second row): Mary Kay Wagner, Barbara King, Barbara Russell, Mary Carroll Blocher, Liza Hyatt, and Ronda Hoggatt; (third row): Jennifer Drake, Father Bernard Lutz, Megan O’Donnell Patton, Mary Longtine, and Catherine Mader Odle; (fourth row): Amy Inserra, Camille Snyder, George Thompson, Margo Edwards O’Toole, and Diann Neu.
It appear that Grandma — new Providence Associate Bev McGuire — has just the right touch with granddaughter, Lucy Anne Blessinger. Lucy Anne is the daughter of Providence Associate Jessi Blessinger. Bev resides in Hamilton, Ohio. (And, yes, the photographer did make Lucy Anne cry after the photo was taken!)
