Finding spiritual nudges in good books

Sister Rosemary Nudd (left) is Lori Strawn’s companion.

“A good book should leave you … slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it.” (William Styron, novelist, 1925-2006)

Providence Candidate-Associate Lori Strawn would probably agree with this statement since she once shared that she “wept through the whole last chapter” of the book, “Wide Sargasso Sea,” by Jean Rhys.

Lori, a freelance writer from Wichita, Kan., commenced her journey as a candidate-associate with Sister Rosemary Nudd, an associate professor of English at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, this fall. The women are well suited for one another as they are both lovers of the written word.

Another way in which Lori shares her love of books with others is through her show, “Open Book,” on Prayables Radio. With the assistance of her long-time friend and Providence Associate Alice Shelton, Lori discusses spirituality via literature.

“What I like best about this ministry is seeing literature in a new way, either through my own eyes or Alice’s — finding the spiritual nudges, lessons and questions hidden in a good book, especially one I am already very familiar with,” said Lori.

Now Lori is finding some of those spiritual nudges with Sister Rosemary as they journey through the Spiritual Integration Units that are the building blocks of the Providence Associate Relationship.