"Come and See" us in California!

By Sister Editha Ben, vocation director

If you’re thinking about religious life and are near Orange, California, why not “Come and See” what the Sisters of Providence are all about? Catholic women ages 18-42 will gather Saturday, Aug. 11, at Marywood Retreat Center to attend our “Come and See” Day from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are still a few spaces available for this bi-lingual event so call me today at 812-230-4771.

You’ll enjoy an introductory video about our foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and a lively panel discussion of sisters. We’ll help answer questions such as what drew us to the Sisters of Providence, how we are currently serving the Church, how we are living out lives of prayer and community life, how religious life brings meaning to our lives and the lives of others and why religious life is important today.

You will enjoy time for reflection, group sharing and Eucharistic Adoration, as well as time to ask questions and share thoughts and concerns. Past participants agree that it’s been very helpful to meet with other women who are also considering religious life because they realize they aren’t alone in their journeys.

The free day includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and all materials. Marywood Retreat Center is located at 2811 East Villa Real Dr. and the Center’s phone number is 714-282-3098. You can also get more information at SPVocations.

Sister Hannah experiences "the grace of the vows"

Sister Hannah Corbin is about to profess first vows
at Eucharistic Liturgy in the Church of the
Immaculate Conception

By Sister Hannah Corbin

“The grace of the vows” is a saying I have heard, and is what one sister reminded me of the day I professed the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. At the time I was not aware of the grace of the vows, but I knew of the grace in the journey.

Almost seven years ago I met my first Sister of Providence and began to fall in love with the sisters and the way they choose life. Four years of initial discernment, which included a summer of volunteering at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice and Providence Health Care, and three years of formal formation within the community proceeded my first profession of vows. What an affirming, challenging, and grace-filled journey it has been!

Before I entered community, I had a limited understanding of the vows, but I resonated with the little I knew. I saw the vow of poverty as a way to live out my desire to live simply. The vow of obedience connected with a new realization that independence was becoming a false virtue in my life. And the early call I felt to give all I am in service with others seemed to fit with the vow of chastity. I saw religious life as a way for me to honor who I was and to become who God calls me to be.
  
Once I entered the Sisters of Providence I began to watch how the sisters lived the vows. I read about the vows, listened to sisters as they shared about their own “living into the vows”, and had discussion groups on what the vows can mean for us, the Church, the world, and the whole cosmos today. As my understanding of the vows deepened, I was drawn by the challenge to live intentionally and in alignment with the life and teaching of Jesus.

On July 1, as I stood in front of my sisters, associates, family, and friends, my heart raced with excitement and perhaps a little stage fright. I had long anticipated the opportunity to profess publicly what I had already been trying to live. When I spoke the words of profession, I spoke from the depths of who I am. I joyfully proclaimed my intentions to unite myself even closer, through the vows, to the God I seek, within the community that I love and who calls me to be my best self.

Now the journey continues. I have returned to my life-giving ministry and local community and am “living into the vows,” one day at a time, with the support of my sisters. And “the grace of the vows?”... It is the grace God offers as I make the effort to integrate my life with the vows. It’s real, I’ve experienced it, and I rely on it.

“Come and See” the Sisters of Providence

God has given each of us specific gifts and talents. It’s no accident that as we grow in those areas, we enjoy doing what we’re good at, what we excel at in life. It’s one of the ways that God confirms within each of us how we are to live our “one wild and precious life.”*

As Christians, it’s also important that we give those gifts in service to others, as a way to glorify God. We take those gifts and talents into account as we discern our vocation, whether it be to live as a single, married or vowed religious person. Religious life is a way to live, not a career choice. The options are limited only by one’s imagination!

The Come and See Weekend, April 13-15, is a wonderful opportunity for women who are considering religious life to visit Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Providence. You’ll have quality time to get to know the sisters. Witness first-hand their “faith-in-action” while learning about their ministries and hearing their stories. Worship with them at Eucharistic Liturgy, pray individually and in groups and experience community life. And, you’ll be with other discerning women with similar questions and feelings.

Hopefully, you’ll leave refreshed, encouraged and ready to take the next step in your own personal journey, wherever that may take you. Click here to register by April 6 for the April 13-15 gathering. Sister Editha Ben is available to answer questions at 1-800-860-1840, ext. 2895 or eben@spsmw.org  

*From "The Summer Day," by poet Mary Oliver.

Meet you in Los Angeles!

Providence Associate Pat Ruck talks with a visitor at last
year's RECongress.

If you had the choice to meet a Sister of Providence or Mickey Mouse, who would you choose? Lucky for you, you don't have to choose - there's time to do both. If you will be one of the 40,000 participants attending the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Calif., March 23-25, stop by and visit the Sisters of Providence (SPs) at booths #168 and #170. You'll have plenty of time to visit Disneyland during your stay as well!

Here are just a few things you might learn, after visiting us at this event:

• Who is Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and why was she canonized the 8th U.S. saint in 2006?
• What in the world is an alpaca and how is the SP herd furthering the Congregation’s mission?
• What is the difference between an apostolic and monastic Congregation?
• What retreats, tours and pilgrimages are available on the beautiful 1,200-acre motherhouse grounds located just 77 miles southwest of Indianapolis?
• How might you become a Sister of Providence, following your own discernment journey to live out the Gospel message today?

There's a lot more to learn, so if you've "read ahead," that's great. We look forward to seeing you in California. If you’d like to set up an appointment to talk with someone, give us a call beforehand at 812-535-2802. You might even receive a free gift if you mention that you read our blog.

Sisters busy during National Vocation Awareness Week ... and beyond

You won't have to look too long or hard to find Sisters of Providence talking to people about life as a woman religious during the annual National Vocation Awareness Week (Jan. 9-14). Actually, they are going to make a month out of it.

Former Vocation Director Sister Jenny Howard, who now ministers as a general officer for the Congregation, was a presenter at St. Peter Parish in Linton, Ind., on Jan. 8. On the same day, current Vocation Director Sister Edith Ben (right) visited St. Mary Parish in Sullivan, Ind., and St. Joseph Parish in Terre Haute.

On Jan. 11, Sister Mary Mundy spoke to a group at St. John the Baptist Church in Newburg, Ind., and Sister Mary Ann Stewart and Sister Editha were presenters at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

Coming up:

Jan. 14: Sister Barbara Bluntzer, Corpus Cristi area, Texas.
Jan. 15: Sister Dina Bato, St. Jude Parish, Indianapolis.
Jan. 22: Sister Editha Ben, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Vincennes, Ind.
Jan. 25: Sister Mary Tomlinson, St. Giles Parish, Oak Park, Ill.
Jan. 27: Sister Editha Ben, St. Barnabas School, Indianapolis.
Jan. 30: Sister Editha Ben and Sister Martha Rojo, St. Paul High School, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

If you live near one of these schools or parishes, you are most welcome to meet the sisters who will be sharing information there. If not, and you think you might want more information about the life of women religious, or the discernment process, contact Sister Editha at 812-535-2895 or at eben@spsmw.org.

Sisters of Providence Fall Discernment Retreat

Did you know that everyone has a vocation? Each person baptized is called to be of service to the Gospel. A person can do this through one of three ways: as a single person, a married person or a member of a vowed religious community, like the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Are you longing to grow more deeply in your Catholic faith? If you are a woman ages 18-42 who is considering religious life, or you know someone who is, check out our Fall Discernment Retreat in conjunction with the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin FEST, Oct. 21-23 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

Your weekend with the sisters will consist of personal and group prayer and reflection, meals and time spent getting to know the sisters and attending Eucharistic Liturgies. There is no cost to attend the Fall Discernment Retreat and the FEST so register today.

Sister Bernice Kuper, vocation minister, said, “The human process of answering the question ‘How do I know what God wants me to do with my life?’ will be much more like being given a map of the United States and told to plot a route which will take you from Indianapolis to San Francisco. You know you will get there but it will involve some effort on your part. You know you will meet some unexpected detours, some challenges and perhaps some delightful surprises on the way, but to reach your destination you have to stay engaged and keep moving ahead!”

Sister Jenny discusses what young women today are looking for, when considering religious life and choosing a vocation, in the video below.



Don't see the video above? Click here.

Take the next step in your vocations journey and attend this special weekend.