Jubilee 2025 Celebration
- Sisters of Providence
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
On June 7, 2025, the Sisters of Providence in Western Canada celebrated the anniversaries of two of their Sisters who are both local leaders in the area: Sister Gloria Keylor, SP who is celebrating her 60th anniversary of Religious Life and Sister Mae Valdez, SP who is celebrating her 25th anniversary of Religious Life.
Watch the recorded livestream of the Eucharistic celebration below, and read further to know more about Sister Gloria and Sister Mae.
Sister Gloria Keylor, SP
As I reflect on sixty years of religious life, I am deeply grateful for such a wonderful journey!
I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta with four brothers, by practicing Catholic parents - and today we have been blessed with lots of nieces and nephews!
We were educated in the Catholic Separate School System. After high school I attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton and received a Jr. E. in Education and began teaching Grades 3 and 4 in a small school in Joussard, Alberta. Joussard was mainly a French and Cree speaking community on the shore of the beautiful Lesser Slave Lake, this was my introduction to the French and Cree language. I was 19 years old then and I loved it there, especially all the people. I stayed in that school for three years. As was customary, students got a Jr. E certificate first, began teaching during the school term, and attended the University during Summer School to complete a Bachelor of Education degree, and like so many others, that is what I did too.
It was in Joussard where I first met the Sisters of Providence and realized that I was called to live a religious life. Their kindness and simplicity attracted me, and I joined the community in Midnapore, Alberta. Over the years I have been missioned to and taught school in Desmarais, Wabasca and Atikameg in northern Alberta. I had completed two years of temporary vows when I was missioned to southern Argentina in the Patagonia to continue teaching as well as work in the parish and even in the hospital in Caleta Olivia. There I learned Spanish. We were busy and joyful group of Providence Sisters there at the time.
When I returned to Canada, eleven years later I began a long ministry in community leadership and since the Sisters of Providence had expanded all over the world I had the occasion to travel and visit many different countries wherever there were Sisters of Providence.
Among other places, I lived for over ten years in Montreal as General Superior and learned to manage in French as well.
One of the highlights of this time was to share in the Beatification of Mother Emilie Gamelin in Rome. This celebration brought together people from all over the world to experience the splendor of Rome and teh majesty of its liturgy.
I cherish the years I was privileged to work with St. Mark's Community of the Deaf here in Edmonton. This group of dedicated Catholic men and women is an inspiration.
I served on a variety of boards and foundations over the years and met many generous and dedicated individuals, including a very generous and talented group of people to found the organization WINGS of Providence and served as the president and founding member for the first few years, before being assigned to Montreal.
As a member of the Sisters of Providence and a major superior I was part of a group who tried to reach an Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement with the First Nations Peoples or at least tried to help to break open this sad legacy of colonization and to work for reconciliation. This remains one of the most important works of our Canadian society and I am grateful for the opportunity of being part of this work.
Providence of God I thank you for all.
Sister Mae Valdez, SP
With a heart rooted in faith and a life shaped by service, Sister Mary Grace (Mae) Valdez, SP, celebrates 25 years of grace-filled commitment to religious life.
Born in Quezon City, Philippines on February 16, 1975, Sister Mae is the eldest of three siblings. She is the daughter of Pedro Valdez (deceased) from Sanchez Mira, Cagayan Valley and Emily Salting from Rosario, La Union. Her mother now resides in La Trinidad, Benguet which Sister Mae calls home when in the Philippines. Her parents planted the seeds of faith, humble service, and compassion, which would blossom in her journey of religious life.
After earning a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and working in the hotel industry, Sister Mae left her career to answer God's call. She joined the Sisters of Providence in 1999 at age 24, entered the Novitiate in 2000, and made her First Profession of Vows in 2002. In 2009, she made her Perpetual Vows, fully committing her life to the service of God and others.
Sister Mae completed her initial years of formation and theological studies in Manila and Quezon City, Philippines. During this time, she was actively involved and volunteered in diverse ministries: serving as a parish volunteer catechist and working with physically and mentally challenged children, street children, and the abandoned elderly in various institutions. These early experiences profoundly shaped her compassionate heart and commitment to mission.
She later served as Pastoral Care Coordinator at Bahay Puso, a home for the abandoned elderly, under the Diocese of Balanga, Bataan, Philippines. Accompanying residents - especially those nearing the end of life - Sister Mae worked tirelessly to reunite them with their families, offering emotional and spiritual care and bringing dignity to their lives. In preparation for this ministry, she obtained certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education.
As a final professed Sister, she served in the Diocese of Balanga, Bataan, Philippines volunteering at Klinika ni San Jose, a clinic for the poor. Initially, as a full-time patient screener, she met and assisted patients from various towns and remote areas. Later, she became the clinic co-director, continuing her screening duties. Known for her diligence and integrity, she ensured that those most in need received appropriate care and services.
She also worked as an employee at Bataan General Hospital and was assigned to the Medical Social Services Department, where she served in the charity wards. There, she conducted bedside interviews and strongly advocated for patients who could not pay their medical bills, defending their dignity with unwavering compassion, even when it involved personal risk.
In 2007, Sister Mae came to Holy Angels Province, Western Canada for a seven-month Cross-Cultural Formation program before her final vows. After returning to the Philippines, she felt called to minister in Western Canada. In 2012, she joined the Holy Angels Province and was missioned in Midnapore, Alberta (Calgary in present day). She earned her Health Care Aide certification in 2013 and ministered at Father Lacombe Care Centre. Simultaneously, she was appointed Vocation Director for Western Canada, a role she embraces with unwavering commitment.
In 2017, Sister Mae was elected Provincial Councillor in Holy Angels Province for eight years. She moved from Calgary to Edmonton and served until the end of 2024. With the new governance structure, she serves as one of the Local Directors and was appointed Director of the Congregational Vocation Ministry Committee in February of 2025.
As Sister Mae celebrates her Silver Jubilee, she thanks God for His unfailing Providence. Her life, marked by faith, challenges, and grace, is a living testimony of love in service.
She extends heartfelt gratitude to her family, relatives, faithful friends, and the many Sisters who have guided her along the way and to all those with whom she has shared ministry and who have supported her throughout her journey. She remembers with love her late father, whose quiet strength and words of encouragement continue to resonate in her heart: "Never give up." She is also profoundly grateful to her mother, whose unwavering support has been a constant source of strength, even as she longs for her presence during her ageing years.
"The Lord has done great things for me, and Holy is His name."
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