Providence Associates sing, dance and pray

Providence Associates came to share, pray, listen, worship, sing and celebrate with one another as well as with Sisters of Providence during their Annual Gathering at the Woods June 26-28. Nearly 60 associates came from all over the country for this annual event. The gathering included attending the opening days of the 2011 General Chapter of the Congregation.

While there were serious conversations, there was also time for fun and entertainment. Providence Associates are a creative lot, and they love to sing and dance, especially to the tunes of ABBA’s Dancing Queen and Kool & The Gang’s Celebration. Amazingly, no hips were thrown out of joint during the dancing!

A newly posted video illustrates some of the fun everyone had. Providence Associates are already looking forward to the 2012 Annual Gathering.

Providence Associates gather and entertain

The past few days have been ones of joyful celebrations and reunions for Providence Associates and Sisters of Providence. On Saturday, June 25, 13 sisters celebrated their golden jubilee. Among them was Sister Diane Mason, director of Providence Associates. Then on Sunday afternoon and evening, nearly 60 Providence Associates met in LeFer Ballroom at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for their second Annual Gathering.

On Monday morning, associates and sisters joined one another in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room for the opening of the 2011 General Chapter. During the opening Eucharistic Liturgy the room was filled with great energy. Later that afternoon, the State of the Congregation reports were heard.

Last summer during the sisters’ Annual Meeting, four Providence Associates — Sheila Donis, Sharon Medicis Michaud, Diann Neu and Mel Marino Wolff — entertained sisters and associates during a social with their particular version of ABBA’s Dancing Queen. Back by popular demand and with an even larger number of dancing queens, the associates once again entertained everyone in the newly remodeled Providence Hall Dining Room.

Keep checking back for images from these events!

Debbie Dillow joins Providence Associates Advisory Board

The Providence Associates Advisory Board welcomes its newest member, Debbie Dillow of Lizton, Ind. A Providence Associate since 2008, Debbie’s appointment was approved by the General Council in May. She brings many gifts to this board.

“I pray that I bring an open mind to new and innovative ways of serving Providence Associates and the Sisters of Providence through membership on the advisory board. I see the Providence Associates as being a critical part in furthering the mission of the Sisters of Providence. … Prayerfully discerning the direction and listening to Providence, through the intercession of Saint Mother Theodore as our guide, the advisory board can help direct the future of the associates and their role in association with the Sisters of Providence,” said Debbie, pictured above at left.

Debbie and her husband, Bob, are the parents and grandparents of two grown children and four grandchildren. She is very active at St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, Ind.

At this time, Debbie is reading “Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life” by Mary Margaret Funk.

“I have just started this book but the thought of learning new tools and ways of praying to deepen my spiritual life intrigued me. I just finished ‘Prayer’ by Joyce Rupp, a book that affirmed that God speaks to us when we are silent. In the busyness of today’s world, calming my thoughts and devoting time to God are essential to the healthiness of one’s spiritual life,” she continued.

Learn more about our newest member of the Providence Associates Advisory Board.

Uncovering ‘Longfellow’s grave’

“It had several affectionate names through the years, but the one I know is Longfellow’s grave,” said Sister Rose Ann Eaton, associate director of Facilities Management, referring to the large cistern on the eastside of Providence Hall which was removed last Friday, June 3.

“It held water from the downspouts on Providence Hall before it drained to the underground sanitary system. At one time, the sisters may have had a pump in it to use for outdoor watering of plants,” Sister Rose Ann continued.

“Plant Brothers, our contractors for this job, will fill in the cistern. The area will have completely new underground pipes for drainage. Many of the old ones were completely broken down. A parking lot will be located in that whole area by the east door,” she said.

There is a cistern in the courtyard of Providence Hall which is still being used.

To learn more about Providence Hall and its awesome architecture check out the winter 2011 issue of HOPE, pages 12-13.

A big thank you to Jim Brown, director of Facilities Management, for the photos.