Today before Mass I was reading in my “Give Us This Day” booklet the section titled: “Blessed Among Us.” Usually that section is about a well known saint, or someone who is Blessed or Venerable, sometimes well known, and others more obscure. Today’s section however was about a woman of Valor named Rachel Held Evans. Ever heard of her? I…
This is an excerpt from a rather lengthy article that traces some of the blessings that Sr. Yvette Demers, SP, and Vice Postulator for the cause of Emilie Gamelin, has seen over the years. She begins her article in 2001 talking about new vocations, the evolution of the Associate Movement, an International Formation meeting, and a congregational retreat. This is…
Tonight, all over the world Christians will celebrate the Easter Vigil. They will light the Easter fire and with candles in hand, we will process in darkness into the Church where we will hear the story of our salvation sung in what is known as the Exsultet. The Paschal candle will be shining brightly reminding us that we do not…
A Good Friday reflection from a Europe at war (again) This article appears in the War in Ukraine feature series of NCR. It gave me much to ponder. It was written by Chris Herlinger. I thank him for this most contemporary reflection on Good Friday in the year 2022. “My Good Friday experience came early this year. I can pinpoint it…
The Sisters of Divine Providence from Allison Park, PA saw many deaths among their Sisters and Associates, yet found a meaningful way to remember those who left this earth. As in years past, we marked the days of November as a special time for remembering and thanksgiving. Regretfully, it was necessary to alter our plans for the annual Mass of…
A Sister of Divine Providence, originally from Peru, now a member of the Marie de la Roche province in Allison Park, Pa has begun a new ministry to the poor. Just another witness of consecrated life in action! Bridges of Providence, a ministry developed to financially support entrepreneurship projects of poor women in underdeveloped countries, was realized in 2021. Sponsored…
The Sisters of Providence from Mother Joseph Province have found a unique way to help with homelessness in the Seattle area. Sisters Joan Gallagher and Maureen Newman lend their hands to help. “Homelessness is hard to “solve” because there are so many different causes. People face so many different circumstances–some are alone, other have children. Shelters may accept only families…
This story is about Linda Hoefflin, the Director of Associates for the Marie de la Roche province and how, in her own words she came to be the Director. My connection with the Sisters of Divine Providence began more than 40 years ago as I worked in their sponsored hospital, St. Elizabeth in Granite City, IL. Within a little more…
Although we are already in Lent, celebrating the second Sunday, a friend sent me this blessing from an author I didn’t know but felt it was worth sharing. The blessing is from Kate Bowler. A Blessing As Lent Begins (the saddest time of the Christian calendar and I’m not unhappy about it) “Blessed are you, ready to open yourself to a…
Since we finished the month of February celebrating consecrated life, I thought I would use the month of March to focus on the Associates of Providence from our various WPC congregations. “The Sisters of Providence welcomed a new Associate Director, Aida Gaouette, over the past few months. She had served Associate co-director and now has taken on full responsibilities as…