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?

Sharing stories, building relationships

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.

Saint Mother Theodore’s welcome: a foundation day reflection

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.”

Sisters Lucy and Mary Fran cook up a good time

“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.