Happy Friendship Day - Aug. 5!

By Sister Jenny Howard

Friendship comes in many forms.

Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August every year. The tradition of dedicating a day in honor of friends began in the U.S. in 1935. Over time the idea has gained popularity and today “Friendship Day” is celebrated in a large number of countries around the world.

Recently, a “30-year friend” of the Sisters of Providence, Rosemary Huang, visited Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from Taiwan. Rosemary is a married woman with two young adult children and has served in various roles at Providence University in Taichung for many years.

One of the “hats” she presently wears is as dean of General Affairs. In this role at the University she will be involved in much of the design and planning for the construction of a new building on campus – the Church of Our Lady of Providence.

Sister Marget Kern (left) and Rosemary

In true friendship fashion, Rosemary believed that meeting and speaking with Sisters of Providence; spending hours in Archives discovering more about the legacy of Saint Mother Theodore and the mission of the Sisters of Providence; and visiting many of the current SP ministries; would help deepen her understanding of Providence spirituality, and better guide her in the task of building the church on campus. What an endeavor!

In a spirit of friendship we thank you Rosemary … your presence with us these past weeks is gift!

Perhaps today … this week … we might each call to mind a friend or friends we wish to remember with sincere and special gratitude!