Mission Advancement

Sisters Move to New Residence

After years of planning, designing, constructing, downsizing and, finally, packing, more than 70 of our Sisters moved from our iconic Motherhouse—our home for 95 years—to a new residence also located on our grounds at Providence Heights. Throughout days, weeks and months of transition, we constantly reminded ourselves of God’s providential care for us, frequently singing the mantra “all is gift, all is grace.” Named The Commons at Providence Heights, our new home is intended to be a place of hospitality and inclusivity, where community is created, fostered and celebrated. The name acknowledges our firm belief that everything we have comes to us as an unmerited gift from our Provident God; everything we have is enough; and everything we have is for the common good.

Ministry Reopens After Two-Year Closure

Kearns Spirituality Center, our ministry that provides a space for spiritual nourishment and retreats, reopened this year after a two-year closure due to the pandemic. Kearns is currently working with Providence Spiritual Outreach (PROSO), a volunteer ministry offered by our Sisters and Associates in conjunction with the Sisters and Associates of the Congregation of Divine Providence of Texas. PROSO offers retreats, conversation groups, workshops and spiritual direction. Kearns is also a site for new programs through a collaboration with La Roche University’s Adventures in Lifelong Learning, a membership-based program for adults 50 and better who want to continue learning while expanding their social networks through shared intellectual experiences. To learn more about programs including spiritual direction, retreats, prayer, use of facilities and the Ruah School of Spiritual Direction training, visit cdpsisters.org/kearns, call 412.366.1124 or email kearns@cdpsisters.org.

Congregation Announces New Leadership Teams

The 2022-2027 Leadership Teams were elected during the Congregation’s 24th Congregational Chapter held July 11-24 in St. Louis and during the Marie de la Roche Province's 5th Provincial Chapter held July 31-August 5. Sister Barbara McMullen of the Marie de la Roche Province (U.S.-Caribbean) was elected as Congregational Leader, and Sisters Mary Francis Fletcher (Marie de la Roche Province/U.S.-Caribbean), Rosa Eunsoon Kim (St. Joseph Province/Korea) and Sister Maria Youngmi Kim (St. Joseph Province/Korea) were elected as the Congregational Team. Sister Michele Bisbey was elected as Provincial Leader, and Sisters Bertshabe Palomino Montalvo, Judith Connor and Veronica Gumja Kim were elected as the Provincial Team. Held every five years, Chapter is a time of discernment and prayer as the Community plans for the future.

Sister Sculpting Art for Stations of the Cross Walkway

Sister Benedicta Ha, CDP, an artist and teacher, is sharing her expert talents to design sculptures for the Stations of the Cross Walkway located outside of The Commons at Providence Heights. A unique sculpture will be created for each station of the cross, including the 15th station—the Resurrection of Christ. In addition to Sister Benedicta’s art, the walkway will include space for devotion and prayer from station to station, commemorating Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. The Stations of the Cross Walkway is expected to be completed in Spring 2023. To read more about Sister Benedicta and view some of her artwork—which brings together Asian, European and U.S. influences and, for her, is like meditation or prayer and an opportunity for reflection—visit hawaii.youview360.com/the-way-of-the-cross.

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. This past year, through the generosity of our donors and friends, Bridges of Providence provided over $19,000 in support to twenty-five women entrepreneurs in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru. Visit cdpsisters.org/BridgesOfProvidence to read more about our families.

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.

By making a financial gift to support the ministries and mission of the Sisters of Divine Providence, you join us in bringing the Christ Child to birth every day. For contributions, please visit cdpsisters.org/support-us. Thank you for your support and work to co-create a world of compassion, justice and peace. We ask that you keep us in your prayers, as we will you.

We are pleased to share our Spring/Summer 2017 magazine. In this issue, we focus on radical hospitality. Radical hospitality—values of diversity and inclusion that can transform lives—has roots in the foundation and is embedded in the mission of all ministries of the Sisters of Divine Providence. By modeling radical hospitality, we all can be enriched by the thoughts and talents each of us has been so generously given by our Provident God.

Additional highlights in this issue:

• Sustaining Our Mission
  The illumination from the St. John’s Bible provides a visual commentary on the Woman at the Pharisee’s House

• Spotlight on Ministry
  Providence Heights Alpha School has been helping students achieve new heights of excellence since 1926

• Province Happenings
  News from around the Province

• In Memory
  Remembering the Provident Women who live forever in our hearts

Thank you for your continued support of the ministries and mission of the Sisters of Divine Providence.

Since 1851, the Sisters of Divine Providence have drawn strength from the example of the congregation’s co-founder, Mother Marie de la Roche. Through many difficulties, Mother Marie was unwavering in her trust and confidence in the ways of our Provident God. Among her most inspirational writings are the words, “The darkest paths lead to light through love and grace.” As we celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons, may these words be your inspiration and your encouragement.

By making a financial gift to support the ministries of the Sisters of Divine Providence, you join us in bringing the light of God’s Providence to dark places. For contributions, please visit cdpsisters.org/support-us. Thank you for your support and collaboration with us to co-create a world of compassion, justice and peace.

In our 2018 Providence Reflections, Provincial Director Sister Michele Bisbey, CDP tells the story of the late Sister Laurine Graff, CDP and her incredible legacy that continues to make God’s Providence a reality to more people than she could have ever imagined. We are happy to share Sister Michele's words with you and invite you, as our faithful supporter and partner in mission, to be the kind of legacy which the Sisters and Associates of Divine Providence strive to leave in our world as we commit ourselves daily to making God’s Providence visible.

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.