Providence Associate Beverly Adams: How it Started

My relationship with the Sisters of Providence began in 1982. My children attended St. Angela Elementary School in Chicago. Over the years, I became familiar with their mission of love, mercy, justice and hope.

Eventually, Sister Joseph Ellen Keitzer, SP (Sister Jo), who ministered at the parish, and I became close friends.

Staying Close

In 1994, my 17-year-old son was shot and killed. I immediately began losing my faith and love for God. During our conversations, Sister Jo noticed the change. Sister Jo then lived out the phrase “What would Jesus do?” She kept me very close to her. She prayed for me, with me and provided positive materials for me to read.

She would find ways of letting me know God did still love me and there was hope. Even though it was a very long journey, she was amazing and never gave up. I learned to lean all my weight, no matter the load, on Providence. Without her Providential love and care, I’m afraid to think where I would be today.

A Beacon of Hope

When the white flight flew from our area, our community became African American. Again, “What would Jesus do?” Sister Jo remained and was proud to become part of us. She would stay abreast and was very much a part of the community activities. No matter what was happening, she always brought that beacon of hope.

She provided essential support to help strengthen our community. Her involvement, way back then, was a lived expression that Black Lives Matter. Her goals were always love, mercy, justice and hope for African Americans.

Providential Love

Sadly in 2007, St. Angela Parish closed. I retired that year and wanted to attend St. Giles Parish because it was close to my house. I was hesitant because there were no African Americans and word was they were not thrilled to have us.

I told Sister Jo and, for quite a while, she went with me to morning and Sunday Mass. She introduced me to the pastor, and other parishioners began welcoming me. To help me feel more comfortable, she encouraged me to continue with my lectoring and Eucharistic minister ministries. Sister Jo’s Providential love has guided me in a way that brought good from random, not so great events. She did leaps and bounds to save one of God’s children.

In 2008, Sister Jo invited me to become a Providence Associate. I then visited the Woods more often. The love of Providence embraces you when you enter the gates. It has become like coming home. There are plenty of Sisters there sharing love, joy, great stories and fond memories. Such a priceless pleasure to visit. They have impacted so many lives with love, mercy and justice. They are now also active in saving our planet.

Still Instrumental

Sister Jo has now retired to the motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. With the distance, I see her about three times a year. We talk about twice a week. Five months ago, my husband of 44 years passed. Needless to say, Sister Jo has again worked with me through this unfamiliar journey. She kept a daily line of communication open with valuable advice, prayers and suggested activities. She is still very instrumental in my life.

Since Sister Jo has gone to the motherhouse, I have become a Giver Each Month (GEM). I always thought donating would exceed my budget. But I’m here to tell you, the donations are friendly to any budget. It’s a pleasure to financially help the Sisters of Providence each month. By becoming a Providence Associate and a GEM, I am helping to continue the valued, well-needed ministries of the Sisters of Providence.

As Saint Mother Theodore Guerin says: “We are not called upon to do all the good possible, only that which we can do.”

Please join me in keeping Love, Mercy, Justice and Hope alive.

Originally published in the winter 2026 issue of HOPE magazine.