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
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…
Be kind. It’s bumpy out there.
Evidently I had too much time on my hands while preparing to write about Random Acts of Kindness Day. I got to thinking: isn’t any act of kindness random — by definition? Kindness — according to Jesus — flows outward…
Sister Cathy Buster called “heart and soul” of new migrant farm family community in Arcadia, Fla.
As a realist, I don’t often get blown away, but in November 2012, when Sister of Providence Cathy Buster gave me a tour of Casa Juan Bosco in Arcadia, Fla., I experienced that feeling of being with someone who could…
Theological shifts with Second Vatican Council
Vatican II has not answered all questions, but it has provided an agenda for future theological development.
My most challenging and most transformative years
When the Second Vatican Council opened in 1962 I had just been appointed Director of Novices for our Congregation. This meant that I had accepted the responsibility of passing on to another generation the traditions, practices, prayer forms and life…
The Joy of Vatican II
(originally published in the winter 2013 issue of HOPE magazine) By Peg Benson Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli might justifiably be accused of being impulsive. He announced his intention to convene the Second Vatican Council on Jan. 25, 1959, as he waved…
Always count your blessings …
Sometime after my mom retired, she “got into” ceramics. She and her friends went to classes taught by a woman in my mom’s neighborhood. For the most part, they applied glazes to clay pieces of various shapes and sizes. Many…