


Get a feel for who the Providence Associate community is and find inspiration in these stories. Reflections, poetry, articles and more by and about Providence Associates. Are you being called to walk with the Sisters of Providence as a Providence Associate?

ne TeKolste’s reflection on her family’s journey to welcome an asylum family with the same love with which Mother Theodore and her companions were welcomed by the Thralls family more than 180 years ago.

It’s doubtful Mother Theodore wrote so her words would be preserved. She may have written to encourage others to persevere. Providence Associate Kate Childs Graham, speech writer for Vice President Kamala Harris, seems to have that same hope — that her writing will encourage others to persevere in living lives of faith, commitment, candor and compassion.

With the next year’s invite, I decided why not give the Providence Associates a try? My first visit to the Woods was astonishing. Once on the inside, there was a sense of peace. All of God’s disciples were welcoming, nice and full of love. That has become one of the best life-altering choices I’ve made.

Being a Providence Associate continues to remind me that I am part of something bigger than myself. I have a community that I am deeply connected to, even though I live at a significant distance. It is so life-giving to be reminded of meaning and purpose in life.

I was blown away by the Sisters of Providence when I came as a volunteer fresh out of college. I thought I understood what it meant to be Catholic, but I really had no idea. I had no idea so many women had dedicated their lives to the service of others. The sisters that I met, their stories, their passion and their commitment to justice inspired me.

The Providence Community, for me, is three things: a breath of fresh air, a bringing of my faith journey full-circle and a calling toward future mission. It is wonderful to find an open-minded group that shares the command of Jesus to love God and neighbor in a vibrant and joyful way.

Being a Providence Associate has helped me to improve on my prayer life (which is still a work in progress). I find praying various prayers like the Litany of Nonviolence very satisfying. Also, my faith has become stronger through being an associate and knowing the Sisters of Providence all these years.

Why become a Providence Associate? Here are five reasons.

Here is a glimpse of what the Providence community has been up to in the past year.

'It’s as simple as that. I love doing what I do.'

After my second visit to the Woods, she asked me, “Do you know anything about Providence Associates?” I was not familiar with an associate relationship with the Sisters of Providence. She invited me to consider becoming one. She provided me with information and brochures. Mostly, she provided me with encouragement and this excitement and enthusiasm about her community and its mission.

Today, why not discover the work of a poet you’ve never heard of before?