Nineteen people make commitment as Providence Associates
Nineteen people recently deepened their relationship with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
On Saturday, October 10, Terre Haute residents Mary Jo Brown, Emma Campbell, Linda Cole, Sharron Overby and Donna Purviance; West Terre Haute residents Deb Lary and Melissa Reed; Brazil, Indiana, resident Charlie Cook; Clinton, Indiana, resident Suzanne Gilles-Smith; North Manchester, Indiana, resident Judith Godwin, Brownsburg, Indiana, resident Susan Scher; Noblesville, Indiana, resident Ann Stansfield; Corydon, Indiana, resident Marlinda Stull; New Palestine, Indiana, resident Julie Young; Marshall, Illinois, resident Marie Wimsett; Nacogdoches, Texas, resident Christopher McLaughlin; Ashburn, Virginia, resident Tracey Baroody; and London, Ontario, resident Mary Bee Haworth, made commitments as Providence Associates, choosing to walk more closely with the Sisters of Providence and live out their mission of love, mercy and justice.
Palatine, Illinois, resident Kathryn Jasinski had received commitment on September 23, 2026.
“I felt called to serve and grow within the uplifting community of the Sisters of Providence in a more intentional way and believed it would allow me to contribute meaningfully to the mission of breaking boundaries and creating hope within the framework of love, mercy and justice set forth by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, Melissa said.
“This is a continuance of my personal relationship with God, but with a support group of other Associates who are also interested in bettering themselves,” Christopher added.
Providence Associates are women and men of varying faith traditions who walk with the Sisters of Providence. Together with the sisters, they follow God’s lead in bringing love, mercy and justice to a world in need.
“Becoming a Providence Associate will be the beginning of a new journey and opening myself to new opportunities to serve others while remaining true to my personal vocation and existing life,” Julie said. “It is exciting getting to know others in this unique group of men and women from all walks of life that are on this journey and I know that there will be interesting days ahead.”
The 2026 commitments bring the total of Providence Associates to more than 3609 in the United States and Taiwan.
In order to become a Providence Associate, a candidate is paired with a Sister of Providence or Providence Associate companion and goes through a year of study, prayer and reflection.
“This was an eye-opening process,” Linda said. “My companion, Sister Marsha Speth, was kind and patient and answered all of my questions, helping me to understand myself and my relationship with Christ.”
“I found the process to be very spiritually rewarding as I met with and got to know my companion, Sister Ann Casper,” Sharron said.
“Now that I am a Providence Associate, I’m filled with humbled thanksgiving and clarity,” Marlinda said. “Each day, I’m reminded of my role with my family, friends and my community in regard to the commitment I made this year in solidarity with the Sisters of Providence in leading a life of love, mercy and justice.”
The Sisters of Providence are a community of Catholic women religious (sisters) who collaborate with others to create a more just and hope-filled world through prayer, education, service and advocacy.
If you feel called to explore the Providence Associate relationship, click here or contact Debbie Dillow at 317-250-3294 or ddillow@spsmw.org.
