The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a community of vowed Catholic women religious. Inspired by our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we are passionate about our lives of prayer, education, service and advocacy.
Reconnect or find new opportunities with the Providence Community. Volunteer in one of our many ministries, be an intern on the farm, explore job opportunities or reminisce about your alma mater.
Live joyfully! Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to explore a fulfilling life as a Sister of Providence. All women and men of faith are invited to join the family of Providence as Providence Associates.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
General Councilor Sister Carole Kimes (left) and Sister Claire Hanson at prayer
Reflection
Yikes! With all the divisiveness already going on in our world, I was not very happy finding a Gospel text that created more unrest for us sitting in the pews this weekend. The passage is troubling. It seems that suffering is inevitable.
I like being around a cozy campfire; this Gospel speaks of an entirely different kind of fire. This fire, Jesus predicts, will lead to division within families because it calls for radical change and transformation. Some of “the family” will be loyal to Jesus’ teachings and more readily embrace his message, even if that faithfulness to the Gospel causes deeper division within the household. It seems that suffering is inevitable.
Other household members will find “the fire” way too much; they will fiercely reject the message, thereby rejecting others even within their own families. This fire brings on great insecurity and a burning desire for many of us, myself included, to run!
Who among us likes conflict? The pain of being at odds within the family can touch us on a very personal level. The cost can be overwhelming. It seems that suffering is inevitable.
Jesus was not about fostering conflict for its own sake; he was about expressing an urgency to redeem a broken world. His message is, of course, also our baptismal call, a radical call rooted in love, mercy and justice!
Our mission is to be God’s powerful living presence in our time, a presence on fire with God’s love. The evening news and cries in our cities, on our borders, in the land itself calls us to be people on fire with the Gospel, faithful to God’s mission and courageous in the long haul.
The time is now — not some far off tomorrow — to be God’s presence, to nonviolently and graciously face conflict and division, to boldly speak and act against evil, to deliberately find concrete ways to further the kingdom.
Now is the time to be seeds of hope, of healing, of reconciliation and transformation. Suffering is inevitable. People of Hope, let’s continue to rely on Providence and enter deeply into the paschal mystery of life, death and resurrection. We will not be disappointed. Alleluia!
We pray, “Come to our aid, O God. Let your fire burn within us.”
Action
The fire of Jesus burns, at least potentially, in each of us. Is there a particular focus you’re challenged to address to your Governor, your Senator, your Bishop? (Immigration, death penalty, racism, environmental justice).
Is there a need for a ceasefire within your own household over a family, church, political, national, international issue? How can you bring peace and reconciliation even while seeing things differently?
A Provident God speaks to us of love, mercy and justice. Could you be that voice in these urgent times in a broken and wounded world?
Sister Mary Mundy is the fourth generation of the Mundy family who is a Sister of Providence. When first generation, Theresa, professed vows in 1875, three of our founding Sisters were still alive. It's no wonder that Sister Mary, who entered the congregation in 1964, has a great love for this congregation. She presently ministers as a Pastoral Associate at Holy Rosary Parish in Evansville, Indiana, and enjoys involvement with associates in the local Providence Associates Circle.
Wonderful reflection Mary, especially your action suggestions…love you! Charlie
“Graciously face conflict and division”…now there’s a challenge…thanks, Mary.
Sr. Mary , Wow ! I think God called me to become an associate with the Sisters Of Providence for a reason : a calling if you will . I think sisters and everyone are called to be on fire for justice . The Salvation Army has a mission that I think is universal in all religions :
“On we March with the blood and the fire symbolizing the mission and commitment . The “blood refers to the blood of Jesus Christ ,signifying sacrifice and salvation. The fire represents the fire of the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel and combat social evils through faith and action. Mother Theodore Guerin emphasized the importance of justice, especially for the poor and marginalized and her life responded with compassion . She was especially saddened by slavery .
:
This site uses cookies to track visits anonymously so we can make your experience better and know how to provide you relevant content. If you click "Ok," you consent to this.
Wonderful reflection Mary, especially your action suggestions…love you! Charlie
“Graciously face conflict and division”…now there’s a challenge…thanks, Mary.
Sr. Mary , Wow ! I think God called me to become an associate with the Sisters Of Providence for a reason : a calling if you will . I think sisters and everyone are called to be on fire for justice . The Salvation Army has a mission that I think is universal in all religions :
“On we March with the blood and the fire symbolizing the mission and commitment . The “blood refers to the blood of Jesus Christ ,signifying sacrifice and salvation. The fire represents the fire of the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel and combat social evils through faith and action. Mother Theodore Guerin emphasized the importance of justice, especially for the poor and marginalized and her life responded with compassion . She was especially saddened by slavery .
: