Our Mission at Work in 2022
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.
