Our current culture seems to tell us life’s struggle is all about good vs. evil and black-and-white decisions. The reality is that the hardest choices are those that aren’t clear-cut.
They’re the ones you can argue from either side but eventually must make based on only a slight edge. That is the kind of choice the Sisters of Providence had to make about whether to test for and drill for oil on our motherhouse land.
My almost-19-year-old godson began his college career this autumn. Every once in a while it occurs to me I can text him to let him know I’m thinking of, praying for and sending him love. (He texts in complete words for my sake.)
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On Friday, Oct. 4, Miracle Place, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, celebrated the 13th Annual Fiesta Friday Benefit Event with nearly 500 friends in attendance. A big announcement made that night was met with much enthusiasm.
Read moreLast Saturday 21 women and men came together at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for our initial gathering as Providence candidate-associates. Underlying the stories we shared was a commonality of each of us being called by God to a stronger relationship with the Sisters of Providence
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On Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 25, a large number of Sisters of Providence gathered in St. Joseph’s Chapel in Owens Hall to share in a simple prayer of “missioning” and blessing for Sisetr Arrianne Whittaker as she transitioned into her mission novice year.
Sister Arrianne shared these reflections:
“When I reflect on my experience of the missioning prayer ritual, it can be summed up in two words — sacred connection — a sacred time, in a sacred place, with a community of women who share a sacred spirit.
As we began the prayer service with our Prayer of Reunion I felt that sacred spirit surround me. I felt connected in a way I had not noticed before. Maybe it has slowly, unassumingly seeped into my bones over the past two and a half years, but this day it was very clear to me … I am a Sister of Providence!
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Writer and management consultant Margaret Wheatley says, “There is no power equal to a community discovering what it cares about.”
This line came into my mind as I was scurrying around the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods campus last Saturday taking pictures of a community caring about the fact that people in their neighborhood are hungry. Officially called the Hunger Bust Fun Run/Walk, the event was sponsored by St. Mary’s Village Parish with all proceeds going to support Providence Food Pantry, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence.
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Happy feast of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin! Here at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods we will celebrate the feast with Mass at 11 a.m. (EDT) in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. All are invited!
Pope John Paul II described Mother Theodore as the perfect blend of “humanness and holiness.”
Today, we invite you to reflect on her niece, Marie-Thérèse’s, memories of Mother Theodore and those two qualities. After all, who knows us better than family?
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Invite someone you know to consider life as a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods! Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to learn and ask questions about a life committed to breaking boundaries and creating hope as a Sister of Providence during a discernment weekend Oct. 18-20 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
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Two of the most privileged and sacred moments I enjoy in my ministry as general superior are receiving the vows of our newer members and praying the blessing prayer at the funeral of a deceased Sister of Providence. Each experience touches me deeply and evokes feelings of profound wonder and gratitude.
I’m thinking the above because I just returned from Taiwan and first profession of vows of one our Asian novices. What a joyful experience!
Sister Regina Gallo approached her recent skydiving experience through a spiritual lens: The safety of my “normal” prayer space with my lit candles and cup of tea or warm milk was gone. I had to trust my tandem instructor literally with my life. I had to trust my God and angels to guide me every second of the way. The biggest piece … I was NOT in control of anything. I simply had to trust and surrender; and it wasn’t simple.
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Where can I run from your love? If I hide in the farthest corner of the sea, you are there, guiding me, protecting me from harm. The bottomless depth of your maternal love… The sea is madre. Sister Carol Nolan, who ministers in California, writes about her retreat near the Pacific Ocean.
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Sister Ann Paula Pohlman and Sister Margaret Louise Bernard were planning a day of adventure at the Port of Tampa (Fla.) to see some tour ships that were open at…
Read moreWelcome to our blog. Here, we will share with you stories of our lives as Sisters of Providence. We invite Providence Associates to write in this space also. We hope you find these posts enjoyable and inspirational.
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