The legacy of Providence lives on in our sisters in Taiwan

We are at such an exceptional moment in the history of the Sisters of Providence. One hundred years of ministering in Asia! Let me tell you a little about each of our sisters currently ministering in Asia and those who have recently joined us from there.

Sister Donna Marie Fu

Sister Donna Marie Fu, SP, our honored elder, lives and ministers in the city of Taipei, Taiwan’s northern capital city. Sister Donna Marie has served in many ministries, mostly in education and administration, in her nearly 70 years as a Sister of Providence. She even returned later in life to her native China to teach English at the university level. Currently, Sister Donna Maria is serving as our vocation promoter for Asia and helping in various ministries as needed.

Sister Delan Ma

Sister Delan Ma, SP, currently serves as the Vocation Director for Asia. She participates with newer Sisters of Providence in formation workshops and activities in Taiwan. She is the contact person for women exploring a vocation with the Sisters of Providence in Asia. Prior to this ministry, Sister Delan founded and directed Miracle Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence in Taiwan.

Sister Rose Chiu

Sister Rose Chiu, SP, is the current director of Miracle Home. Miracle Home, in the Taishan District of New Taipei City, was founded in 2000. It responds to the needs of the aging society of Taiwan, helping to support the elderly and people with disabilities. Miracle Home provides home-based and community-based services such as home care, respite care, meals on wheels, adult day care, and more. Sixty-seven staff members and 667 volunteers served 516 clients in 2019. I am certain, both Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and Mother Marie Gratia Luking would be most proud of this amazing ministry!

Another amazing ministry of the Sisters of Providence in Asia is the establishment of Providence University. It was begun by the Sisters of Providence in 1949 as a much smaller college. Today Providence University thrives as a Catholic co-educational institution educating approximately 12,000 students. Under the guidance of the mission of the Sisters of Providence, the university is committed to the education of each student as a whole person.

Sister Celeste Tsai

Sister Celeste Tsai, SP, has ministered at Providence University for more than 40 years. As library director she played a significant role in renovating and modernizing Luking Library, named after Mother Marie Gratia Luking. Sister Celeste is an amazing connector of people and events. Her current role is Providence University Affairs Consultant.

Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein

Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, SP, ministers as a professor at Providence University. She also serves as special assistant to the president. She plays a key role in representing Providence University in various settings around the world. Sister Anne Therese has received several teaching excellence awards throughout her tenure at Providence University.

Sister Norene Wu

Until February, 2020, Sister Norene Wu, SP, ministered at Providence University as dean of students and as assistant professor in the department of social work and child welfare. Recently, Sisters of Providence leadership appointed Sister Norene the community’s next novice director. So Sister Norene recently moved to the United States to take on this role. She comes prepared to walk with our newest sisters with her background in education, experience in pastoral counseling and psychology and her intergenerational and intercultural experiences.

Sister Sophia Chen

Sister Sophia Chen, SP, currently ministers at the Mother Marie Gratia Hostel for Girls. This is a women’s residence for students at Providence University. It is sponsored by the Missionary Sisters of Providence. Sister Sophia’s presence allows us to minister alongside the Missionary Sisters of Providence for whom we feel an integral and loving connection.

We also have several Sisters of Providence who have entered from Taiwan more recently.

Sister Su-Hsin Huang

Sister Su-Hsin Huang, SP, traveled to the United States from Taiwan to enter the Sisters of Providence in September of 2004. She professed perpetual vows in June 2014. Sister Su-Hsin currently ministers with elder Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the Woods, Indiana, with our Ministry of Care Team. Also gifted artistically, Sister Su-Hsin offers art and spirituality programs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Anna Fan

Sister Anna Fan, SP, is one of seven women currently in formation to become a Sister of Providence. Sister Anna came to know the Sisters of Providence when she was a staff member at Miracle Home. Sister Anna entered the Congregation in the United States in November 2014. She professed first vows in June 2017. Sister Anna currently ministers at the Lux Mundi Home in the Hsinchu Diocese in Taiwan where she serves with people who are severely challenged with disabilities.

(Originally published in the Fall 2020 issue of HOPE magazine.)