Search Results for label/discernment
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Meet Emily: Sister of Providence postulant introduces herself
...of their faith journeys and from all backgrounds to work together to provide hospitality and seek justice. When I met Tracey, I wasn’t excited about a future sister joining the community. I didn’t understand what that meant. Then Tracey and I started running together. During one morning run she shared her vocation story. When I continued asking questions in the days that followed, she began to sense something was up and invited me to a discernment retreat. Meanwhile, my professional...
Seeking, struggle leads to gift of fulfillment, community
...I remember thinking: “although there aren’t many Mexican-Americans in the group, they sure do go out of their way to serve us.” This spoke to me. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the void in me began to slowly fill. I came to a few Come and See weekends and began my unofficial/official discernment. I even came for an extended visit in the summer of 2011 to get a closer look at the community. I returned home after...
Embracing technology to further the Sisters of Providence mission
...being. So Vocations Director Sister Joni Luna, SP, created “virtual” discernment opportunities. Using the Zoom platform, Sister Joni invites women to these sessions who have expressed genuine interest in the Sisters of Providence. Each session begins with prayer based on Psalm 139. Then Sister Joni introduces a sister who has entered more recently and is now in formation as a Sister of Providence. The sister shares her “vocation story.” She tells about experiencing God’s invitation in her life and what...
Senior jubilarians – 80 years and counting
...when we prepare for and engage in General Chapter, when we make our annual retreats. Our Constitutions require all of these of us – yet aren’t we blessed to be chosen to live a life that “requires” us to do that which will most assist us in becoming and remaining “holy and blameless in God’s sight?” Jubilarians, speaking of communal discernment, you know we’ve called ourselves to “refounding.” I would like to suggest to you that you have been chosen...
“Creating Currents of Change” in Memphis
...positive — the love engaged against hate, the seeds that are sown to grow justice. Lawson called us to reject the climate of current public discourse that labels and divides. He said, “We are not primarily white or black, conservative or liberal. We are primarily human.” He lamented the continued influence of racism, sexism, violence and plantation capitalism in public discussion today. Lawson urged us to find a different language outside the fear built up by politics and media —...
Celebrating Sister Joni as she professes first vows on June 26
...of vows. For me, each scripture selection – and all three together – create a vibrant mural of the lives of all followers of Jesus. The three panels of this mural could be labeled: LEAVING, LEARNING, LIBERATING. Today, we shine a light on one particular follower of Jesus – our Sister Joni Luna – as she professes first vows as a woman religious, as a Sister of Providence. Joni’s life journey has been all about leaving, learning and liberating. Like...
Joni has an “overwhelming feeling to serve”
...to lead and allow yourself to follow.” About the discernment process, Joni quotes Sister Regina Gallo, “You’re not free to come (to the Woods) unless you’re free to leave.” That’s what the discernment journey is all about with the Sisters of Providence. Joni also advises women to find one or two trusted people help them make the vocation journey. “The trusted people can be a Sister and a close friend,” said Joni. “I shared my feelings about becoming a Sister...
All things possible with Sister Janice Smith
...said she became frustrated with her own feelings. She struggled with her beliefs in the church and in God. She wanted her discernment to follow a logical path. It didn’t. She heard something speaking to the turmoil but couldn’t grasp it. She prayed her personal prayer and asked God to find her. Gently, God did. Eventually, the flower of discernment bloomed and Janice Smith became Sister Janice Smith, entering the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Sept. 14, 2000. But...
Sister Carole Kimes
...heart attack. “He was only 32. Six little kids. And I knew then that life wasn’t a dress rehearsal. I could not continue wasting my time. And so that prompted me to do some more discernment. And I went on a retreat and really asked some of the hard questions. And I knew that I wanted to respond with my whole heart.” “Once I left and then returned, I knew that regardless of what was happening in the community or...
New postulant enters Sisters of Providence
...then excitedly said, ‘Yes, I visited Saint Mother Theodore’s shrine. There were prayer cards and I thought of you.’ That was a strong sign that I should dig deeper.” Jessica said that in addition to her three retreats at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she met monthly with Sister of Providence Jeanette Lucinio who was her discernment guide and remained in contact with the sisters’ vocation director throughout her entire discernment process before entering. She has also maintained contact with many sisters via...
New postulant Leslie Dao enters the Sisters of Providence
...small blessing and welcoming ceremony followed. Please keep Leslie in your prayers as she enters her time of formation as a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Sisters who have helped Leslie with her discernment process and Leslie’s family members meet for prayer before the ceremony. From front right clockwise, Sisters Editha Ben, Joni Luna, My Huong Pham, Leslie Dao and Lan and Phong Dao Leslie at prayer From back left clockwise, Sister Editha Ben, Leslie Dao, Sister Joni Luna...
Crossing the bridge into community: Postulant Stephanie Rivas
...at left, and her discernment guide, Sister Terri Grasso, at right. But Stephanie began to realize that, for her, a career, independence and romantic relationships were somehow not enough. “Part of me knew I was not on the right path. I felt that I was still searching for something.” In her search for something more, she spent a year in a discernment house in New Jersey. There she had a spiritual director and experienced a traditional daily routine of early...