Sisters of Providence welcome 32 new Providence Associates

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, recently welcomed 32 people as new Providence Associates.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, the new associates participated in a ceremony in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, located 10 minutes northwest from downtown Terre Haute.

The new Providence Associates include Sara Bennett, Machesney Park, Illinois; Frank Esposito, Valerie Esposito, Christine O’Connor, Lynda Parker and Joan Richards, all from Indianapolis; Christine Boyle, Karen Goehl, Jean Brown, Louella Dalina, Will Hine, Benjamin Kite, Amy Langham, Ericia Pruitt, Jeanne Rewa, Dinah Vasbinder, Carroll Vasbinder and Theresa Vaughn, all from Terre Haute, Indiana; Sandra Wickware and Kelly Meyer, from Brazil, Indiana; Catherine Downing-King, River Grove, Illinois; Kathleen Hamilton, Fishers, Indiana; Joan Haugh-Beatty and Donna Kida, North Judson, Indiana; Elizabeth Kolar-Malone, Yorkville, Illinois; Linda Masesso, Spooner, Wisconsin; Anne McDermott, South Dennis, Massachusetts; Jeanie McElwain, Clinton, Washington; and Katrina Welborn, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

In addition, California residents Kathy DiFede and Kathleen Markey will also enter as Providence Associates during a ceremony in January.

Both Carroll and Dinah Vasbinder called the journey “a gift of Providence.”

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” Dinah said. “Carroll looks at it as beginning another step of a spiritual journey. It’s safe to say we are excited and humbled; a bit in awe with great anticipation!”

“Becoming a Providence Associate has been an exciting year-long journey meant to help me learn about the work of the Sisters of Providence and to discern in what ways I could commit to supporting the mission of the sisters through their many works of love, mercy and justice,” Karen Goehl added. “How grateful and humbled I am to have experienced such Providence and to be able to honor divine Providence and further God’s loving plans as a Providence Associate.”

Director of Providence Associates Sister Diane Mason, SP, said a Providence Candidate-Associate is first paired with a Sister of Providence or Providence Associate companion and then goes through a year of study, prayer and reflection.

Amy Langham said the experience was wonderful.

“All my life I have been seeking to know more,” she said. “And, in doing so, I have come to understand that in seeking God it is really God who is seeking me. Through God’s grace, I embraced Mother Theodore’s spirituality. As an associate, I am not pulled away from my vocation of my responsibilities as a family member, volunteer and employee. Instead, I hope that I fulfill these roles better.”

Boyle echoed Langham’s sentiments.

“As a Providence Associate, I am delighted to be a part of the community of Sisters of Providence, Providence Associates and volunteers in a mission of service to others,” Boyle added.

Sister Diane added the commitment ceremony brought the total of Providence Associates to more than 250 in the United States and Taiwan. The relationship began 10 years ago.

In October, more than 32 women and men began their journey as Candidate-Associates. The Providence Associate relationship is open to people of all faith traditions, ages 18 and older. There is no canonical, financial or legal obligation to one another on the part of the associates or the Congregation.

If you feel Providence is inviting you, contact Providence Associate Debbie Dillow at 317-250-3294 or email ddillow@spsmw.org, and to learn more, visit the Sisters of Providence website at spsmw.org.