January 6, 2012
Providence Candidate-Associates make commitment
Deanna Ruston of Evansville and Ron Keller of Newburgh pose for a photo at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Click for a larger version.
Seventeen individuals, including two from the Diocese of Evansville, made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a Eucharistic Liturgy recently at St. Mary-of-the-Woods and at other sites across the United States.
Providence Associates enter into a relationship with the Sisters of Providence for the opportunity to participate in the life and mission of the Sisters of Providence. Some ways associates are able to participate are mutual and intentional prayer; appropriate community gatherings; reflection and prayer groups; Sisters of Providence retreats and spiritual enrichment programs; social justice activities; eco-justice projects and events; and Congregation ministries.
Those from the Diocese of Evansville who recently made their first commitment are Deanna Ruston of Evansville and Ron Keller of Newburgh.
In six years since this relationship opportunity was introduced, there are more than 160 people who have chosen to become a Providence Associate, in addition to 28 who are preparing to become associates in 2012 after a year or more of candidacy.
Providence Associates are women and men (at least 18 years of age) of diverse faith traditions who seek a formal relationship with the Sisters of Providence. They may have known the sisters for a long time or have just recently heard about the sisters. Associates are drawn to this relationship with the Sisters of Providence for many reasons, but primarily, they wish to dee-pen their spiritual life and they see themselves as being called to respond to the Providence vis-ion through their own particular way of life.
For more information on Providence Associates, contact Sister Diane Mason, director of Providence Associates, at either 708-364-7917 or dmason@spsmw.org or visit www.ProvidenceAssociates.org.