Mission Advancement

“Let us continue together to lovingly gaze on God’s people, so that this ‘Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace leading us forward with renewed enthusiasm.’”  —Sister Claudia Ward, CDP

As the Sisters of Divine Providence welcome spring, we are pleased to share with you our 2016 Providence Reflections. Written by Sister Claudia Ward, she reflects on this extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Seeing the great need for mercy and healing in the world, Pope Francis called for the Year of Mercy—a special period, also known as a Holy Year of Jubilee, to be celebrated from December 8, 2015 through November 20, 2016. It is a time to focus on forgiveness and healing and to be a witness of mercy by reflecting on mercy, receiving mercy and being merciful toward others. The Year of Mercy is an invitation to show love, kindness and generosity. It is an opportunity to transform our lives, relationships, work and ability to embrace and experience all of life. During this Year of Mercy, we are called to grow spiritually, to strengthen our faith, to encourage works of service and to promote unity within the Catholic Church and all of society. As we call on God to have mercy, we show mercy to others by responding as God responds—with compassion.

We thank you, our donor and partner, for accompanying us on our journey during this special year. Always grateful for your faithful generosity, we ask for your continued financial support of the Sisters’ ministries and mission. Every gift, large or small, is a blessing.

As Sisters and Associates of Divine Providence, we know we are blessed by God’s indiscriminate graciousness, we live in the abundance of God’s loving providence and we are strengthened by the bonds of inclusive community. These realities compel us to commit ourselves to cherish our intercultural and international ties; strive for right relationships with all; live and promote every form of non-violence; courageously risk being marginalized; and generously share, even in the midst of scarcity.

This Vision is also embraced by each of our ministries, which share the Providence of God with students, struggling families, abused and forgotten children, the homeless, documented refugees and those seeking spiritual renewal and, because of the needs of the times, have become places of radical hospitality—welcoming, generous and inclusive.

In our 2017 Providence Reflections, La Roche College President Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, explores radical hospitality. We are happy to share her thoughts with you and invite you, as our faithful supporter and partner in mission, to model this openness and desire to love the stranger.

We, the Sisters of Divine Providence, thank you for your continued prayerful and financial support. We are keenly aware that no matter where, when, or how we minister, we never do so alone.

We are happy to share our Summer 2021 newsletter. In this issue, we recall the May 30, 1926, blessing ceremony of the three bells at Providence Heights and its meaning for us today. Also included are our 2021 Jubilarians and a feature on Sr. Karina Conrad's ministry as a mental health counselor.

Thank you for your continued prayerful and financial support of our ministries and mission.

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Days of Remembrance & Thanksgiving mark special time to commemorate Sisters, Associates

As in years past, we marked the days of November as a special time for remembering and thanksgiving. Regretfully, it was necessary to alter our plans for the annual Mass of Remembrance at Providence Heights as we continued to contend with Covid-19 and the uncertainty of gathering with family and friends. As an alternative, all Sisters, Associates, employees, friends and partners in mission were invited to join with the Sisters, via livestream from our Mother of Divine Providence Chapel, as we remembered those Sisters and Associates who died during this global pandemic. Each Sister who died during this time was remembered on a designated day in November at the daily weekday liturgy. Following the evening meal on each designated day, the Sister’s memorial letter was read and storytelling about the Sister was shared.

New ministry advocates for women entrepreneurs in underdeveloped countries

Bridges of Providence, a ministry developed to financially support entrepreneurship projects of poor women in underdeveloped countries, was realized in 2021. Sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence Ketteler for Justice Committee and the community’s Associates under the direction of Sr. Bertshabe Palomino-Montalvo, this ministry assists women who want to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families by generating income through starting their own small businesses. CLICK HERE to read more about our families.

Sisters hold groundbreaking for new residential, healthcare facility

On Sunday, August 1, 2021, as the Bells of Providence Heights rung out, the Sisters of Divine Providence held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially kick off their new building project. Named "The Commons at Providence Heights," it will be a place of hospitality, inclusivity, creating and celebrating community. The name acknowledges that all we have comes from our Provident God and is to be held in common. Situating "The Commons" at Providence Heights honors the original name of the whole property and preserves the legacy of the Sisters of Divine Providence. The new three-story residential and healthcare facility will offer up-to-date care for the current and future health needs of the Sisters. The building will consist of a mix of healthcare rooms, private independent rooms and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Site amenities will include an outdoor dining terrace, community garden, healthcare garden and walking paths that connect to the rest of the campus. Construction is scheduled to be complete in September 2022. The first tree planted at The Commons was a McIntosh apple tree, in recognition of the apple trees that flourished on the property from its earliest days. Joining Sisters, Associates and employees at the ceremony were representatives from Derck & Edson--the project's planning and design firm--and Warfel--the project's construction company. 

As Sisters of Divine Providence, we continue to commit ourselves to creating a world of compassion, justice and peace. Thank you for considering a year-end gift today.