Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 7, was an exciting moment for the Sisters of Providence Congregation. A new woman joined the sisters as a postulant, the first year of formation in becoming a Sister of Providence. Emily TeKolste of Indianapolis, Indiana, officially entered the Congregation with a ritual in which she knocked at the door of Providence Hall seeking entrance into the Congregation. From there she was greeted by the General Superior and the Sisters of Providence leadership and formation team plus sisters in the formation community for a meaningful prayer ritual.
Enjoy the photos! Learn more about Emily in this news release on her entrance. And in this blog post in which Emily introduces and tells a little bit about herself.
The entrance ceremony started with a private prayer time in the chapel in Woodland Inn where Emily was joined by New Membership Director Sister Editha Ben and Emily’s discernment guide Sister Carole Kimes. (photos by Diane Weidenbenner)
Emily in quiet prayer before the knocking ceremony. (photos by Diane Weidenbenner)
Sisters Editha Ben and Carole Kimes accompany Emily over to Providence Hall to knock and officially seek entrance with the Sisters of Providence.
Emily knocks on the door to Providence Hall seeking entrance to the Sisters of Providence community.
After knocking at the door, Emily is welcomed by General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson and other members of the Sisters of Providence leadership team and formation team.
The group gathers and prays with and for Emily as she is welcomed to the Congregation.
The newest woman to follow in the footsteps of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin as a Sister of Providence: Emily Tekolste during her entrance prayer ritual.
Emily at left, joins the gathered sisters in prayer.
Vicar/ General Officer Sister Lisa Stallings blesses Emily during the prayer service.
Emily receives a blessing on her hands from Novice Sister Anna Fan.
During a prayer ritual within the ceremony, Emily receives a blessing from Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp.
Director of Postulants Sister Marsha Speth presents Emily with the key to her new home in the formation community at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods as Sister Denise Wilkinson looks on.
Emily, shown here with General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson, shows off the keys to her new home in the formation community at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
Emily gets a hug of congratulation from her discernment guide Sister Carole Kimes, whom she has been meeting with regularly over the past year.
Emily gets a hug of congratulations from Sister Nancy Nolan, a member of the Sisters of Providence new membership team.
The whole group poses with Emily after the knocking ritual. Front row from left, Sister Anna Fan, Emily TeKolste, Sister Joni Luna. Second row from left, Sisters Nancy Nolan, Marsha Speth, Nancy Bartasavich, Denise Wilkinson, Mary Beth Klingel, Editha Ben. Back row from left, Sister Carole Kimes, Janice Smith, Jenny Howard, Dawn Tomaszewski, Jeanne Hagelskamp and Lisa Stallings.
Emily with two other women in formation with the Sisters of Providence, Novice Sister Anna Fan at left and Sister Joni Luna at right.
My heart is so full looking at these pictures!! Emily, thank you for your daily “yes.” It is an honor and a gift to be on this Providential journey with you. <3
Welcome, Emily. We love and support you.
Mary Carroll Blocher, PA
Peace and every other blessing
I am an American Franciscan working in the Amazon since 1983. I came across Sister Emily’s very good “Is religious life easy?” in today’s edition of NCRonline and decided to do a http://www.search for more information about her. Catholic Worker background – I am a fan of Catholic Worker and look forward to each issue of their newspaper from NYC. Actually they send me two copies, and lately I am forwarding one to an 80-something longtime widow from a parish in Pittsburgh, whose granddaughter taught her to use the internet. NETWORK – I am aware of their work too.
I want to forward the above “entrance photo exhibit” to a friar who is working on vocation promotion material for our Order in this Land of the Holy Cross (Terra da Santa Cruz). Sharing that moment: what a great idea!
May God bless your congregation with many vocations!