Providence Spirituality
“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
Never consent to take our books
I can not imagine life without books. My parents tell a story of when I went missing when I was two years old. My mother checked on me in the middle of the night and found I wasn’t in my…
Surrounded by the dead
I always think of my maternal grandfather, Alex “Casey” Gutgsell, on Halloween. He was very German and very stern. But he also had a mischievous side.
As kids, we went first to “trick or treat” at my grandparents’ home. Someone always dressed up like a witch and wore a treasured, horrific mask to complete her costume.
Without fail, Grandpa Gutgsell would remove the mask from the little witch, put it on and proceed to scare us. It so delighted him and so annoyed my grandmother.
“The Promised Land of Providence”
Happy Foundation Day! 173 years ago today, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her five companions finally arrived in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. This lovely, old poem written by Sister Loretta Therese Bierman (1886-1919) tells of their first view of the “deep forest.”
Joyful experience in Taiwan
Two of the most privileged and sacred moments I enjoy in my ministry as general superior are receiving the vows of our newer members and praying the blessing prayer at the funeral of a deceased Sister of Providence. Each experience touches me deeply and evokes feelings of profound wonder and gratitude.
I’m thinking the above because I just returned from Taiwan and first profession of vows of one our Asian novices. What a joyful experience!
The sea is madre
Where can I run from your love? If I hide in the farthest corner of the sea, you are there, guiding me, protecting me from harm. The bottomless depth of your maternal love… The sea is madre. Sister Carol Nolan, who ministers in California, writes about her retreat near the Pacific Ocean.
Sister Denise’s “expert” Father’s Day reflections
Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior of the Sisters of Providence, talks to three SP staff about their experiences with fatherhood for the 2013 Father's Day Reflection.
The Practice of Homemaking and Community Shaping
(Chapter from “Love, Mercy, Justice: A Book of Practices of the Sisters of Providence.”) Home is a word and an experience as ancient as civilization itself and as rich, meaning-filled, and new as today’s dawn. Images of home abound —…
Earth as home
(This article was originally published in the Summer 2013 edition of HOPE.) If you spend any amount of time with a Sister of Providence or a group of sisters, you will quickly learn that taking care of Earth as home…
At home in the Catholic Church with the SPs
(This article originally published in the Summer 2013 edition of HOPE) The first time I went to Mass with the Sisters of Providence in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it rattled me. Those sisters were changing…
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods: a place of welcome
(Reprinted from the Summer 2013 edition of HOPE) “It’s like experiencing a piece of happiness on Earth because of the beautiful grounds and the peaceful setting in nature. It is a wonderful place for meditation, retreat and relaxation.” ~ Theressa…
Sisters reflect on coming home to the Woods
(This article was originally printed in the Summer 2013 edition of HOPE.) “To me home is one’s rootedness. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is my rootedness as a Sister of Providence. When I reached retirement time, Saint Mary’s was where I wanted to…
Gifts of relationship, friendship
Who knew that April has been designated by someone National Card and Letter Writing Month? Personally, I’m for it. I love to both receive and write letters and cards. This is not to say that I’m as faithful to the…