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Saint Mother Theodore Guerin knew the violation of human rights in an up close and personal way in her home country, France. The French Revolution was a time of great social and political upheaval to abolish the injustice of the feudal system and absolute monarchy. During this time Catholic churches and schools were closed. Despite some gains in human rights, the French Revolution failed to condemn slavery or to uphold the equality of women.

Just when I was settling into the calm and quiet of Advent, along comes St. Nick’s Day to distract me. Given St. Nicholas’ reputation as the model for Santa Claus, it didn’t take me long to be whisked from Advent to Christmas Eve and memories of my very own St. Nicholas/Santa Claus impersonator — my brother, Len.

13 Sisters of Providence celebrate 60 years with the Congregation in 2013. All the senior jubilarians will be honored at the Mass on Dec. 9 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Margaret Louise Bernard, Sister Adrian Marie Conrad, Sister Sheila (formerly Marie Sheila) FitzSimons, Sister Michaela Galvin, Sister Francine McGriffin, Sister Ann Kevin O’Connor and Sister Louise (Edward Louise) Schroeder all celebrate 70 years as Sisters of Providence this year.

In 2013 two Sisters of Providence celebrate 75 years with the Congregation and two celebrate 80 years.

Candidate-Associates took the commitment to become Providence Associates for one year, following their year of discernment and companioning by either a Sister of Providence or Providence Associate. Hear about several of their journeys.

Advent is my favorite season of the Liturgical Year. I love this quiet time before Christmas.

It isn’t a penitential time like Lent. It is a time of quiet anticipation.

Anticipation is naturally in the air. Children certainly anticipate Santa Claus and time off from school. Adults anticipate a break from work, getting together with family and friends, the chance to kick back and relax from the frenzied pace of life.

Advent is the season of waiting and longing. Our society makes it almost impossible to wait.

I noticed that Christmas TV programming began in early November. Certainly, Christmas advertising and shopping crept in even earlier — before Halloween!

The greatest challenge in Advent is to refrain from celebrating Christmas. Christmas is coming and it will be more than a day. In fact, there are 12 days for celebration, as the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” suggests (Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 through Epiphany on Jan. 6).

“It’s as if this was always where she was meant to be; this place and these people were the love of her life. Her personality melded with their culture—their music and their spirituality became her own.” Sister Mary Margaret Quinn spent 36 years serving the African-American community at Holy Angels Church in Indianapolis. She died Nov. 29, 2013. She was 78 years old and a Sister of Providence for 60 years.

21 individuals recently made commitments to join the Sisters of Providence in honoring Divine Providence and further God’s loving plans in service among God’s people. This brings to 193 the number of Providence Associates in the United States and Taiwan.

Providence Associate and volunteer, Judy Meyer, recounts treasured memories with her dear friend, Sister Rosalie Weller.

“I’ve heard these words used over and over to describe Sister Bernice: wise, centered, interested in everyone and accepting of everyone, perceptive – sometimes too perceptive, challenging when needed yet always affirming,” said Sister Denise Wilkinson of Sister Bernice Kuper who died Nov. 26, 2013. Sister Bernice was 91 years old and had been a Sister of Providence for 73 years.