Red leaves on a frosty tree

Stories about

Providence Associates

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?

Being Providence in a world in need: Sister Dawn’s reflection to new Providence Associates

You belong to this community in a special way. And we belong to each other. Together we belong to Providence. Together we are called to be Providence. The world needs us for this. And certainly, in light of all that has happened this week and in the weeks leading up to our national election as well as what may be required of us as a result of this election—our country needs us for this.

Called to perform: Sandra Hartlieb’s Mother Theodore

“I was mad at Mother Theodore!” Sandra confesses. For years, Sandra had struggled with corneal degeneration. Prayers for Mother Theodore’s intervention seemed to fall on deaf ears.
"I wandered around the grounds complaining,” Sandra explains. “I ‘heard’ a voice saying, ‘Tell my story.’ Well, I said, ‘I am telling MY story!’ But the voice came again, and I realized it was HER! Telling me to tell HER story! I decided to do it.”

Strength from being ordinary this Foundation Day

What matters is what is in our hearts and souls. It’s the warmth, respect and love that we have for others — that same love and respect Saint Mother Theodore modeled to all with whom she came in contact. It was her ordinary, her natural response that came from deep within her heart. It was a response borne of deep prayer and of complete trust in her Provident God.

New Providence Associate candidates share what brought them here

“A friend told me ‘You are looking for the feminine face of God, and you’ve caught a glimpse of it in the Sisters of Providence.”
“Even as a child I was always in awe of the spiritual feeling you get here.”
Providence Associate candidates share what brought them here.

New energy, focus for justice

Before discerning a focus, sisters and associates gave input on their priorities. Six key justice issues emerged: environment, human trafficking, immigration and refugees, anti-racism, women’s issues and nonviolence. Still … there was a clear desire for focus.