


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?

An important part of the orientation toward becoming Providence Associates is the sharing of stories.
Several spoke of seeking something more in their lives, of seeking a deeper spirituality.
One young woman saw this as a way to keep her accountable to community service. Another was seeking intentionality.
Several were friends of Providence Associates who had heard their tales of life-giving experience as a Providence Associate and were looking for the same.

There was no Wabash Avenue bridge. The crossing of the Wabash was made by ferry—probably a flat-bottomed open raft. Arrival on the other side was followed by a carriage ride through the river bottoms on and at times wholly submerged plank road—a soggy, wet, carriage ride during which the horses were at times literally swimming, with water up to their necks. The carriage tipped sideways twice, its wheels caught on tree roots. Later, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin would write, “When one has nothing more to lose, the heart is inaccessible to fear.”

34 new Providence Associate candidates began a year-long journey of deepening their relationship with the Sisters of Providence at an orientation on Oct. 11, 2014 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. View photos from the day.

“I tell parents we are training students today for jobs that don’t exist,” she said. “We hope we’re not assuming people know what we stand for and what we have accomplished. We’re telling them who we are. You have to be on the front side of innovation and the Sisters of Providence have always been very forward-thinking.

Saint Mother Theodore, you showed us the way. It wasn’t easy, but you never let up. You believed in your Provident God. Providence was your shield of faith and hope, and you lived it to the fullest.

“We prepare about 30 pounds of meat. The pulled pork sandwiches are complemented by a great horseradish coleslaw which Sister Lucy takes pride in making.”
Sisters Lucy Nolan and Mary Fran Keusal lovingly feed the volunteers and shoppers at the annual Providence Family Services rummage sale, held this year Oct. 4-5 in Chicago. They share their experience and even their recipe here.

For me, Providence is God’s unconditional and interdependent love for each and every creation, given freely to be shared with, by and for every creation. God is present and acting. I may not recognize or sense God’s Providence, especially in times of struggle or pain.
Selected readings and songs of praise honored our foremothers in faith who were witnesses, leaders, deacons, prophetesses, theologians: holy women of our past lineage whose stories we never hear read in our church.

What does it really mean to come home to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods? We come home to reunite in prayer, song, and simple yet profound conversations about what it means to be Providence. We welcome the new faces among us, reconnect with friends and remember those who could not make the journey.

Providence Associates of the Sisters of Providence gathered with each other and with Sisters of Providence for their annual meeting from June 27-30, 2014. Updates, reunions, fun, and joy ensued. View photos from the weekend here.

Can you hear her?
The gentle whisper,
She is calling you,
beyond what you know,
what you believe to be truth or reality.

A 50-year anniversary for Father Daniel Hopcus was celebrated on April 30