2016 Providence Associate first commitment ceremony

Will Hine at prayer before the ceremony.

New associates Valerie and Frank Esposito have their photo taken by their 12-year-old daughter.

Sister Therese Whitsett pins the Providence Associate pin on her Providence Associate companion Joyce Smith.

General Officer Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp greets those gathered for the ceremony.

Sisters of Providence stand to welcome the new Providence Associates.

Sister Diane Mason, director of the Providence Associate relationship, and Debbie Dillow, assistant director, call forward the Providence Associates to make their first commitments.

Chatting before the ceremony are, from left, Sister Barbara Reder, Lynda Parker and Joan Richards.

Sara Bennett carries the cross during the procession. Frank Esposito carries a candle behind.

Sara Bennett and Christine O’Connor make their commitments as Providence Associates.

New associate Sandra Wickware visits with Sister Rosemary Schmalz before the ceremony. Her sister companion Sister Jackie Hoffman is seated at left.

Karen Sue Goehl and Sandra Wickware bring up the gifts during the ceremony.

New Providence Associate Ericia Pruitt, right, with her sister companion Sister Adele Beacham.

Sister Rosemary Eyler chats with new Providence Associate Joan Haugh-Beatty, right.

Providence Associates first committing and those renewing their commitments join in prayer with sisters and friends.

Providence Associates preparing to make their first commitments and their companions pray the Sisters of Providence pray of reunion together before the ceremony.

Sister Peggy Lynch, left, with her Providence Associate companion Christine Boyle.

Some of the 40 Providence Associates who renewed their commitments at the ceremony renew for another 1, 3 or 5 years.

Providence Associates who made their first commitment on Nov. 12, 2016, are from front left: Donna Kida, Joan Haugh-Beatty (backset), Amy Langham, Dinah Vasbinder, Sandra Wickware, Linda Masesso, Sara Bennett, Valerie Esposito, Louella Dalina with Providence Associate Director Sister Diane Mason and Assistant Director Debbie Dillow. Second row from left: Benjamin Kite, Jeanie McElwain, Joyce Smith, Kathleen Hamilton, Theresa Vaughn, Jeanne Rewa, Christine O’Connor, Elizabeth Kolar Malone and Sister of Providence General Officer Jeanne Hagelskamp. Back row from left: Ericia Pruitt, Kelly Meyer, Christine Boyle, Anne McDermott, Frank Esposito (backset), Karen Sue Goehl, Carroll Vasbinder (backset), Lynda Parker, Jean Brown, Joan Richards, Will Hine and Katrina Welborn.

Providence Associates make their first commitments.

Blessing the new Providence Associates.

Providence Associates, Sisters of Providence and friends join hands for the Our Father prayer during the Liturgy.

Sister Marsha Speth with her Providence Associate companion Karen Sue Goehl.

Providence Associate Louella Dalina in discussion with her sister companion Sister Rosemary Borntrager.

New Providence Associate Kelly Meyer and her sister companion Sister Ann Sullivan.

Kate Hamilton, center, during the entrance procession. In the foreground is Katrina Welborn and bringing up the banner is Amy Langham.

New Providence Associate Jeanne Rewa, center, speaks with Sister Mary Montgomery, at right. At left is Providence Associate Ben Kite.

Sister of Providence Pat Mahoney and her Providence Associate companion Elizabeth Kolar Malone.

Dinah Vasbinder makes her commitment as a Providence Associate.

Sister of Providence General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski offers a reflection to those gathered.

Father Dan Hopcus and General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski process in at the beginning of the Liturgy.

Those gathered in the Church bless the newly committed Providence Associates.

Providence Associates bring up the altar cloth.

Providence Associate Amy Langham carries out a banner.

New Providence Associate Amy Langham, left, meets up with her college friend Sister Anji Fan at the reception.