Spiritual companions in the Woods: Providence Associate candidate orientation 2019

On Saturday, 24 new Providence Associate candidates gathered at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Here they met the Sisters of Providence and Providence Associate companions who will walk with them in the coming year. The Oct. 19 orientation day began a year for them to spend time reflecting on their lives and their faith and getting to better know the spirituality and mission of the Sisters of Providence. Enjoy these photos from the day.

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Sister Joan Kirkpatrick and her Providence Associate Candidate Companion Sue Sheeran enjoy the beautiful day while getting to know one another better

New Providence Associate candidates are blessed by the Providence community

Providence Associate Candidate Mary Gemma speaks with her sister companion

Providence Associate Marilyn Webb companions candidate Carol Ann Woodfall

Candidate Rita O’Donohue and her sister companion Sister Mary Rita Griffin walk and talk.

Candidate Ana Gonzalez with Sister Carol Nolan

Former White Violet Center for Eco-Justice intern and now Providence Associate Candidate Liv Charlton and her sister companion make their way to visit the Farm Store.

Candidate and Sister companion connect in the Woods

Candidate David Hudgens and his sister companion Sister Ann Margaret O’Hara pray during the blessing

Sister Marsha Speth and her candidate companion Mary Gemma get to know each other during a walk in the Woods.

Providence Associate Candidate Marvin McCurry and his sister companion Sister Joseph Ellen Keitzer

Sister Mary Tomlinson and her candidate companion Kelly Schubert sing during the blessing ceremony

Sister Patty Fillenwarth listens to and gets to know her new candidate companion.

Sister Claire Hanson and candidate Jonnee Western enjoy the fall beauty while deep in discussion

Candidates are blessed by the community. Here candidate Katie Cisek is blessed by her companion Sister Cathy Campbell and Candidate Ana Gonzalez is blessed by Sister Carol Nolan

Candidate Liv Charlton with her SP companion Sister Rosemary Nudd.

Candidate Christi Garcia walks and shares with her companion Sister Joanne Golding

Sister Rosemary Schmalz reflects during a prayer moment

Sister Janet Gilligan and her Providence Associate candidate companion Marcia Brammer

Candidate Associates and the Providence community join together for a blessing ceremony.

Candidate Brad Crites with his SP companion Sister Ann Casper walk and talk in the Woods

Candidate Sue Ellen Keaton and companion Sister Rita Clare Gerardot get to know one another.

Sister companion and candidate share their stories in the Woods

From left, Sister Rosemary Schmalz and her candidate companion Vonda Monts join in song during the blessing

Sister Mary Beth Klingel and her candidate companion Bettie Anne Long join in song during the blessing.

A group of Providence Associate candidates and companions meet up and visit with each other during a walk.

Sister Susan Dinnin and her Providence Associate companion Janet Tosick.