“Our Providence Associates are carrying the Sisters of Providence charism of love, mercy and justice to places we are not. Our associates are sincerely and intentionally living out the mission of the Sisters of Providence, honoring Divine Providence,” said Sister Diane Mason, who retired in December from her ministry as director of Providence Associates of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Pictured: Newly named Co-Director of Providence Associates Sister Sue Paweski receives a hug of welcome from a Providence Associate.

Sister Diane had ministered with Providence Associates nearly 10 years, seven of those years as director. “This ministry as director of Providence Associates has indeed been a privileged one for me,” she said.

Providence Associate Debbie Dillow, who has served as assistant director of Providence Associates alongside Sister Diane for six years, is now serving as co-director of the Providence Associates.

“Together as Sisters of Providence and Providence Associates, the charism of Providence is being shared with a world that is starving for positive energy.  I sincerely feel this is what is evolving in this place in time of our history.”

“Being a Providence Associate has enriched my life and how I see the world. I am very grateful for the progressive thinking of the Sisters of Providence that has helped change how I look at the universe and my part in it,” Debbie said.

“I believe the Providence Associate journey helps to feed our spiritual hunger and guides women and men to a closer relationship with our Provident God, one another and the world.

“I see a new community evolving within a community. I see the associates stepping forward in life and mission with the Sisters of Providence not only here at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods but also in other locations. We, the associates, are the face of the Sisters of Providence in our daily lives. We can take the mission of love, mercy and justice into areas of our lives and be the hands, feet and face of Providence to others, whatever our work or living situation. This is what is exciting — I see the mission of Christ spreading because the associate relationship is growing and spreading,” Debbie said.

Starting in June, Sister Sue Paweski, who currently ministers as a fine arts teacher at St. Genevieve School in Chicago, will join Debbie as the co-director of the Providence Associate relationship.

Currently 252 women and men of faith walk with the Sisters of Providence as Providence Associates. The relationship celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2017. Guided by God’s Providence, we look forward to continued life and growth as the Providence Associate relationship moves into the future.

-By Amy Miranda, publication and marketing manager