“Providence did provide, Providence does
provide, Providence will provide.”
That is a mantra that many of us
Women of Providence congregations
use, trust in, and believe.

As many of you know, from the announcement in your various communities, I am resigning my position as Executive Director of the Women of Providence in Collaboration (WPC) at the end of August. That is when my contract officially ends. It is a bittersweet decision on my part. I have thoroughly enjoyed both times I served as Director, seven the first time and 10 this time. Serving in this ministry for 17 years has given me many blessings—the treasured one of all—is getting to know so many other Sisters of Providence along the way! I have made good friends, have lasting friendships, worked with some incredibly talented and creative people on Providence Event Core Teams, and enjoyed collaborating with the Board Members, the Vocation/Formation/Leadership group(VFL); the Associate Leadership group,(ALG) and recently, the newly formed Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group.(JPIC)

When I began in 2000, following Sr. Mary Catherine Hunt, CDP from Melbourne, KY, I felt scared to step into her shoes. She knew so much about the WPC’s history and had done wonderful work in this ministry. She was so kind and reassuring to me and was always available for consultation in just a phone call away. Her passion and excitement for this ministry was contagious and it didn’t take long for that passion to grow within me too! I truly do love this ministry and it has allowed me to use my own gifts and talents in a variety of ways. I have given it my best. However, I do feel it is time for a fresh perspective, a new face, and someone who is better at technology than I am. Though I’ve learned how to manage a website, to blog, and created a WPC Facebook page, I think more could be done with other social media platforms. Technology and marketing skills can help get our publications wider known and used; I am hoping and praying there is a Sister or an Associate out there who can now “take the reins” and lead us into the future. The charism of Providence is so needed in our world today. (See the job posting.)

I don’t know what my future holds in terms of ministry, but I am confident that Providence will provide something—God always has put opportunities in my path that I couldn’t have foreseen or orchestrated if I’d tried! What I do know is that the Women of Providence will always be near and dear to my heart. Just look at what we’ve done together! These pages of the Winter Collaboration are evidence of our ongoing living out of the charism.

Read on for much more.

Barbara McMullen, CDP
WPC Executive Director