This past Saturday, Nov. 14, was a special day at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Twenty-six women and men became new Providence Associates of the Sisters of Providence. We’d love to share some of the joy of the day with you in this photo album. These women and men have been journeying with a companion, either a Sister of Providence or another associate, over the past year. Click here to hear some of them share their journey in their own words.
The newest Providence Associates of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. (Front from left) Director of Providence Associates Sister Diane Mason, Zenaida Contreras, Sabrina Falls, Barbara Linton, Holly Herber, Adrienne Curtis-Davis, Kristina Allen, Providence Associate Assistant Director Debbie Dillow, (second row) Jacqueline Fischer, Rita Edwards, Patricia Waltman, Mary Wagner, Regina Hartman, Tina Bowen, (third row) Arthur Snyder, Beth Speer, Betty Sloan, Mary Jo Ricketson, Karen Blesch, Donna Stevenson, (back row) Cathy Allen, Kim Knoblock, Beth Weis, Pam Blake-Virostko, Jeanie Fentz, Cathleen Flynn, Linda Yatsko and General Officer for the Sisters of Providence Sister Dawn Tomaszewski. Not pictured: Heather Smith and Judy Sucharitakul.
Soon-to-be Providence Associate Mary Jo Ricketson with her companion Sister Jane Iannaconne before Mass.
Karen Blesch and her companion Sister Mary Mundy visit before the Mass begins.
Patricia Waltman and her companion Sister Mary Rita Griffin visit with another sister prior to the ceremony.
This year’s Providence Associate first commitment coincided with the feast of Our Lady of Providence. The painting of Our Lady of Providence held a central place in the front of the church.
A sister visits with, from left, Mary Jo Ricketson, Zenaida Contreras and Sabrina Falls before the entrance procession begins.
The Mass’s entrance procession. Rita Edwards, center, carries a candle.
Providence Associate candidate Beth Weis carries a banner in the entrance procession.
New Providence Associate Arthur Snyder during the entrance procession.
Jacqueline Fischer places a flower at the painting of Our Lady of Providence during the entrance procession.
Sisters of Providence General Officer Sister Dawn Tomaszewski welcomes those gathered for the Providence Associate commitment and for the feast of Our Lady of Providence.
Providence Associate candidate Cathleen Flynn leads the psalm response at Mass.
Providence Associate companions stand to present their candidates. Center, Providence Associate Donna Watzke with the Providence Associate candidate that she companioned, Rita Edwards.
Kim Knoblock makes her first commitment as a Providence Associate.
Sister Jenny Howard smiles at the new Providence Associate she has companioned, Cathleen Flynn, as she prepares to pin her new Providence Associate pin on her.
New Providence Associate Sabrina Falls laughs while receiving her Providence Associate pin from her companion Sister Paula Modaff. To the right, Kim Knoblock receives her pin from Sister Dawn Tomaszewski.
New Providence Associate Tina Bowen receives her Providence Associate pin from her companion Sister Rose Ann Eaton. Behind them are new associate Cathy Allen and her companion Sister Rita Clare Gerardot.
Provildence Associate Barbara Linton and her companion Sister Kathleen Desautels embrace after the pinning.
Cathleen Flynn and Arthur Snyder sign their commitment cards as Providence Associates.
Sisters Denise Wilkinson and Dawn Tomaszewski receive written commitments from the new Providence Associates, escorted by their companions. In the foreground are Providence Associate Barbara Linton and her companion Sister Kathleen Desautels.
The congregation blesses the newest Providence Associates, gathered around the altar in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Providence Associates Adrienne Curtis-Davis and Karen Blesch carry up the altar cloth during Mass.
From left, Providence Associates Jacqueline Fischer, Kristina Allen and her companion Sister Ellen Cunningham and Donna Watzke companion to Rita Edwards during the Lord’s prayer at Mass.
Providence Associates and companions join hands during the Our Father prayer at Mass. From left, companion Donna Watzke and Rita Edwards, Sabrina Falls and her companion Sister Paula Modaff and Kim Knoblock and Sister Dawn Tomaszewski.
New Providence Associate Mary Jo Ricketson receives holy communion during the ceremony.
From left, new Providence Associate Jeanie Fentz visits with Sister Ann Paula Pohlman and others after the ceremony.
