


“The God of Providence carries the entire mystery of the divine, ever trustworthy, never failing. The God of Providence offers all the possibilities for ourselves and the world, including both what God wants to happen and what God is willing to let happen because God honors the gift of human freedom. The choices are ours — truly free, but ever grounded in the grace of God, the Holy Mystery of Providence, about which there is ever more to be discovered.” – Sister Ruth Eileen Dwyer

I wish you well in celebrating Lent in whatever way makes sense to you as a child of a loving God.

"What a treasure of God's creation to hold sacred ... to protect

Last weekend was my first time attending the Giving Voice 20’s/30’s retreat in Phoenix, Arizona... As we began to unfold what the theme “Contemplating the Mystery of Mercy” meant to each of us, the sisters around the circle shared stories about learning mercy from those they ministered with, struggles to have mercy for themselves, and the simple but challenging calls to mercy in the ins and outs of community life.

“I don’t know what it is — there’s just something about the Woods.”
These are familiar sentiments for people who have lived or worked at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Most of us have heard these things. And most of us have said them ourselves. Sister Lisa Stallings reflects on the transforming power of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Ruth isn’t exactly sure what made her choose Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for her week-long retreat. She only knows “God wanted me there.”

The Jubilee Year of Mercy began Dec. 8, 2015, the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. What will you do this year to grow in your faith? To strengthen both charitable works and social justice at home and as part of your faith community? Maybe a visit to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods can help you on your way.

May all be loved.
May all be healed.
May all be sheltered.
May all be free from fear.
Providence Associate Diann Neu offers prayers for people with cancer.

Cure our blindness so that we may see your beauty and your radiant light within all our sisters and brothers.

Embrace this sacred season with hopefulness, with love. Find a way to work around conflict within your family and the world. Never forget that you are carrying the Christ within yourself. Your heart is the stable of life.

So what is your gift? What can you lay down beside the manger? What would you give if you could give anything in the world?

Let us be more intentional in allowing Providence to actively engage in our lives. More present to how we are called to co-create in this time of distrust, cultural animosity, economic crisis and increasing violence.

Then I came upon a news story titled “Good Samaritan Rescues Mom at Airport.” This news story led me to the movie It’s A Wonderful Life featuring the angel Clarence Odbody. Those of us old enough to remember this film gained valuable life lessons by watching George Bailey struggling with doubt because of his lack of success in life.