As seen in HOPE
Here you will find wonderful content from the Sisters of Providence. The articles here all appeared in HOPE magazine. The Sisters of Providence publish HOPE three times a year to share the mission, spirituality and ministries of the Sisters of Providence. Enjoy!
Sister Mary Xavier Lerée : a founding Sister of Providence
Sister Mary Xavier was the last of the foundresses to die, after 57 years of quiet, mostly hidden service.
Walking with the people from a position of influence: Sister Therese Guerin Sullivan
Statistics from the National Association of Church Personnel (posted at www.usccb.org in 2013) reported that: “About one-quarter of all diocesan chancellors are women. . . a position of considerable influence in many dioceses.”
Cleveland bishop: value in women’s leadership
“I value women in leadership roles because they share a desire to serve God and God’s people, and they bring different perspectives and aspects of human relationships to conversations and decision-making that enrich the whole process,” Bishop Lennon stated.
Ministry in the marriage tribunal
As the only woman reviewing cases in our tribunal, I feel I balance the male perspective. I am a good listener and feel that I relate to people with empathy. If a case is particularly difficult, I will put it aside for a while and reread it later. Often I have new insights in doing so that strengthen the case.
Voices to prevent abuse: Sisters Cathy White and Cathy Campbell
“That child has no voice, and I have a pretty big one,” Sister Cathy White said. “I continue in this ministry because I feel I can have a voice for the voiceless.”
Outreach through liturgy: Sister Jeremy Gallet
From a very musical family, Sister Jeremy has always been involved with music. She started as a music teacher and eventually moved on to serve as a music minister at several parishes. She plays piano, guitar and has sung in choirs since age 8.
Steadfast in her calling: Sister Mary Ann DeFazio
“Where else is church? This is where the church is,” she said. Living and building a community with the people,” she said, is “like we are figuring out where we are as God’s people. … We learn faith by living it as much as possible.”
A companion in the dying and rising of daily life: Sister Jane Iannaccone
Often in my daily encounters, people are experiencing great sorrow and pain. I cannot take their pain away. However, I can be a supportive caring presence. I am willing to stay with them in their pain. I hope that through me they will experience the face of God and this will enable them to put their trust in a loving merciful God. I am mirroring for them and they to me, a God who journeys with us through our pain and suffering.
The Helping Hands thrift store: making a difference a quarter at a time
An active group of volunteers act as God's helping hands providing for the local community in West Terre Haute, Indiana by way of a used clothing store. "I see miracles happen every day here," says Providence Associate Carole Stokes, a volunteer at The Helping Hands thrift store.
Sister Kathleen Bernadette Smith: Joyful collaboration in a prophetic mission
Sister Kathleen Bernadette Smith has ministered almost 20 years as a pastoral associate at St. Felicitas Parish in Chicago. She collaborates with parish staff, parishioners, local community leaders, archdiocesan and SP-led teams and committees to proclaim the Gospel in a joyful, prophetic way richly textured by her African-American spirituality.
In it together
“It was perfect,” Karen said. “It was Providence … it was clearly Providence that brought me here. I found my piece of home.”
Both Vicki Layton and Karen Sagraves said the “team” atmosphere while working with the Sisters of Providence is special.
Sister Kathleen Desautels: Collaborating for justice
For nearly three decades, Sister Kathleen Desautels (formerly Sister Mary Colleen) has been at the forefront of justice.
The rape and murder of four church women in El Salvador in 1980 was also part of her transformation. She spent time in Bolivia and in Nicaragua – witnessing social injustices – before finding her way to 8th Day Center for Justice in Chicago.