Left to Right:
Co-Directors Sister Irene Wilson, S.P. and Barbara Baker,
Administrative Assistant Carol Groten

Providence Associates are lay women or men, single or married, who feel called to be associated with the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in their charism, spirituality and mission without membership in the congregation. The charism — a gift of the Spirit for the Church — of the Sisters of Providence is one of trusting in Providence and serving with compassion, especially the poor. This gift we share with our Associates.

Providence Associates live the charism:

• in their relationships
• in the marketplace and community
• in their homes
• in health care
• in education
• in social work
• in their parishes
• in diverse ministries

The Providence Associate process is administered by Co-Directors who collaborate with a Council Liaison and a Providence Associate Committee made up of sisters and associates. Together everyone works to keep relationships healthy, invigorating and responding to the changing times and in keeping with the Providence Associates’ mission statement and the direction of the congregation.

To read the brochure click on it below.

If you wish to download the brochure “right-click” on the link and choose “Save As” or “Save Target As”.

The file is in the Adobe Acrobat PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.

Associate Christine DiZazzo and Sister Susan Pye led the teaching on St. Vincent, January 19.

BY SISTER IRENE WILSON

Providence Associates began a two-year formation process in September with the theme of renewal and celebration. The process uses the method of Ignatian contemplation, praying to know Jesus better in order to love him more and follow him more closely. We are moving through four topics, exploring each as it is reflected in the lives of key people in the history of our congregation: St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, Emilie Gamelin and Catherine McKinley.

View full article »

As part of the two-year formation process, Associate program co-directors Barbara Baker and Sister Irene Wilson have been traveling to the Associates across Canada. In late October they visited Camrose and led a process of Ignatian contemplation. An outcome of the visit was an agreement that, rather than starting from scratch, the Camrose group would use the same materials as were being used in Ontario for reflection, discussion and prayer. Pardon the bad pun, but there was lots of “associated” socializing and catching up as well.

In February, Toronto was the destination. Again, Ignatian contemplation and prayer were used with in the Toronto Associates gathering – and the group reflected on their prayer and the St. Vincent de Paul day. Kingston, Belleville and Brockville are next in line.

Sisters of Providence and Providence Associates gathered for AGEM and the launching of their two year Formation Process: Renewal and Celebration
front row l to r: Sr. Anna Moran, Marietta Macial, Sandra Campeau, Joan Murray, Sr. Judy Lee
2nd row l to r: Sr. Irene Wilson, Sr. Jean Higgins, Sr. Catherine Cannon, Sr. Frances O’Brien, Betty Haymans, Doris Lomboy, Marie O’Neill, Yeshi Redda, Marta Hernandez
3rd row l to r: Gerry Vieveen, Sr. Alma Sutton, Regina Giebels, Debra Wade, Colleen Evans, Sr. Marie Dundon, Sr. Lucy Kearney, Carol Groten
4th row l to r: Shirley Kindellan, Gillian Fetter, Dianne Dutcher, Maureen MacDonald, Barbara Baker, Sr. Pauline Lally, Sr. Patricia Ann Ryan, Sr. Marilyn Kearns, Sr. Susan Pye
back row: June Bisset, Sr. Nancy Wilson, Marie McCartney, Sr. Mary Bernadette, Sr. Gayle Desarmia, Christine DiZazzo, Sr. Jeannette Filthaut, Sr. Theresa Moher, Cathy Bryan, Gail Shannon, Sheila LaRush

By Barbara Baker

AGEM
Forty-nine Providence Associates and Sisters of Providence gathered together in Providence Spirituality Centre on the weekend of September 21 -22, 2012 for the Providence Associates’ Annual General Education Meeting. We began with a social on Friday afternoon that allowed time for people to catch up with each other and to hear about the work that Providence is doing through us.
View full article »

Friday, June 1 & Saturday, June 2, 2012

‘A Diamond with Many Facets: Responding to Our Common Call’

Don’t forget to register so we can pray and talk together, Associates and Sisters, with our Retreat director Anne Walsh.
View full article »

BY SISTER CATHERINE CANNON

NACAR Workshop on the Ins and Outs of Associate Formation

Sister Catherine Cannon, Associates Barbara Baker and Cathy Bryan attended the NACAR Professional Development Workshop for Associate Directors held June 10-12, 2011, in the Providence Spirituality Centre, Kingston, Ontario. Facilitators were Carol Gariano and Mary Jo Mersmann.

NACAR workshop participants.