Sharing Easter dinner with Providence Associates, friends, and Sisters of Providence in Taiwan

What a delight to have the opportunity to meet our Providence Associates (pictured from left to right) Lilia Samson Huang, Ching-Yi Tsai, Maricar Chao, and her husband, Patrick Chao, presently a candidate-associate, during my recent visit with our Sisters of Providence who live and minister on the island of Taiwan.

Providence Associates and candidate-associate in Taiwan.

Patrick received the sacrament of baptism during the Easter morning Liturgy in his parish church with family, friends, Providence Associates, and Sisters of Providence present among the worshipping community.

Easter Sunday evening the associates and their families and close friends gathered for dinner, hosted by the Sisters of Providence, at a nearby Hakkanese restaurant. The conversations were enlivening and inspiring — not to mention the delicious food!

It is always a sacred experience for me to have the opportunity to be present as an associate shares her or his personal Providential journey — this time was no different. 

More than one Providence Associate shared the experience of searching for the words to describe the feelings of joy, hope and gratitude experienced in this associate relationship. 

As a Sister of Providence I echo those same feelings! My reflection on our Providence Associate Relationship is that of profound gratitude for the sharing of this mutual gift of grace and blessing. 

This special evening was symbolic for me of the Easter message calling us to live as people of hope as we work together to bring about God’s love, mercy and justice in our world today.