Get to know Providence Associate Diane Estringel

Tell about your life so far.

I am from Corpus Christi, Texas, born and raised. Attended Catholic School with the Incarnate Word Sisters. I have a bachelor degree in nursing from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and I obtained an associate degree in nursing from Del Mar College. I worked as an RN before returning back to college to get my bachelor’s degree. Most of my career, I have worked in the hospital setting with my last before retiring being in an in-patient hospice setting. I now do substitute school nursing for our school district. I have two adult children, Erik and Melissa, and one grandchild Celeste who is 19 years old. I have been a widow since 1994.

List three things that someone who wants to get to know you should understand about you.

I love to talk and meet people. I was very shy until starting nursing school. I love to travel and take pictures. I am very independent. I go by Diane not Adriana.

What is something interesting about you that not everybody knows?

I attended the beautification and canonization of Mother Theodore and the dedication of her statue in Washington, D.C.

What are three things that bring you joy?

My family, my travels, my time alone.

What would you say are three of your greatest strengths?

Independent, dependable, being on time

What are your favorite ways to spend your time?

Relaxing with a good book, travel, quiet time to myself with my dogs

How did you come to know the Sisters of Providence?

Sister Barbara Bluntzer was working at our church, St. Pius X in Corpus Christi. I got to know her and traveled with her on several trips she coordinated.

What drew you to the Providence Associate relationship?

I visited Saint Mary-of-the-Woods several times with Sister Barbara and got to see firsthand what the sisters stand for and for all their efforts and how progressive and involved they are with current issues. I read Mother Theodore’s book of her coming to Indiana and her struggles, and I immediately admired her and how the sisters are carrying on her legacy. I got to meet the Providence Associates and interact with them and Sister Diane (the former director of Providence Associates) and Debbie (the co-director.) I was around for many years before I decided to become an associate. I don’t know the reason, but one night as I sat with the Providence Associates and Sister Diane and Debbie, I decided to become an associate. Sister Diane told me it “was about time.” I love the feeling of peace as you enter the grounds and truly feel “Being Home.”

How do you live out your commitment as a Providence Associate?

It makes me proud to be associated with such a dynamic group and to contribute in a small way to help with their goals, especially serving our earth. It has been a challenge living in Texas and not being near Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. I try to go twice a year but cost of airline fares, etc. is prohibitive. I have tried getting recycling to be done at our meetings and talk about saving our earth. At home I encourage recycling and my family is doing well except my son who I am constantly reminding to recycle. I talk about Mother Theodore and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to anyone who listens and give out her prayer cards. I was on a team for a retreat this spring and I gave each team member a prayer card with a small medal of Our Lady of Providence and they let me say a few words about the items and the Sisters of Providence and their mission and ministries, including the alpacas, organic gardening, the store, the shrine, etc.

There are four associates here in Texas, two in Corpus Christi, one in Falfurrias and one in Dallas. We try to keep in touch via text or email. When Sister Barbara comes to Corpus Christi, we meet with her. We keep in contact with Sister Barbara by email and phone.

Anything else you would like to add?

I find being a Providence Associate the best decision I have made. I pray the community stays strong, continues with their effort to save the earth and with the justice issues. I admire Mother Theodore so much for being so progressive especially in her time. She accomplished so much and her legacy is continued by the sisters in the present time. I am so glad there are young ladies willing to enter and become Sisters of Providence.

Learn more about Providence Associates and how you can join in the Sisters of Providence mission of love, mercy and justice.