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 Barbara Ann Zeller: modern-day foundress
“Here, it is always like a rolling horizon. Sister Barbara has a way of gathering people and empowering them to fly,” says Cindy Richards, chief operating officer and property manager for the residences for Providence Self-Sufficiency Ministries..
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.”
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.
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.
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.