Welcome to the sisters of Providence!
Western Canada
Synod – Click on images below to download more information
Journey on becoming a Providence Associate
Abby Begna & Vera Gutierrez – PA’s reception on Dec 12, 2021
Vera Gutierrez..
“The first time I learned about Providence Associates was when I attended the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the Sisters of Providence in March 2019. I remember enjoying many long talks with special women most of whom had been Associates for several years. I remember thinking back then “Maybe one day down the road I could become an Associate also”. My journey started about a year ago when I was asked by a Sister whether I would be interested in becoming an Associate. It felt like the right time, and I started learning more about the history of the Sisters of Providence. Reading the books of the Foundresses deeply moved me and I thought if only I could help others a little bit the way they did, I would feel happy and satisfied. I’m also glad I was able to learn more about the Providence Associates and the work they do during orientation sessions this past summer.
Then came the Reception on December 12th. It was wonderful to meet the Associates for the first time in person since all the meetings I had attended prior to then were via Zoom. The ceremony was very special. I am grateful to the Sisters and Associates for welcoming me into the Providence Associates Family and I look forward to doing God’s work and being of service more of the time. Warmest thanks.”
Abby Begna..
“My journey with Providence Associates started a couple of years ago. At the time, I was fundraising for a mission trip to Beirut, Lebanon. When the Sisters heard my story, they rallied around me to help by preparing packages of sanitary items, donating money, and offering their prayers. Through that, I got to experience the Sisters’ generous hearts. They made me feel I was part of a bigger mission. So, when I started attending the Providence Associates meetings, I felt like I found my place of service. I am grateful to Sr. Mae (Mary Grace Valdez) and Sr. Christina Wong for introducing me to the PAs.
Since then, I have learned so much from the books suggested by Sr. Christina Wong about the foundresses of the charity. These three women that went before us have gone through a lot, but they stood their ground in their faith and service. The story of Mother Gamelin made me cry, laugh, feel inspired, encouraged me to be more and do more. It also encouraged me to trust God in all situations. She was an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life, that is why we still talk about her.
It is such a privilege to be part of an amazing group of people who are dedicated to serving the community and God. The life of service in any capacity has always been attractive to me. This is because I witnessed my mother serve the young, the poor, the elderly by opening our home to anyone who would need it. This has set me on a path of wanting to serve others. Now I have this opportunity to journey with the Providence Associates and I feel so blessed.
Here is the scripture I read at the ceremony of acceptance – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. And they do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it may shine to all who are in the house.
So then, let your light shine in the sight of men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your father, who is in heaven.” Mathew 5:13-16
This scripture is unique to me because it shows me how to live daily. Sometimes, I want bigger goals, bigger impacts but this one brings me back to the details. How should I behave toward others, toward everyone, young, old, poor, rich? Do I serve them, love them, and bring the good flavours of this world to them equally? Am I making things brighter and better or is it the other way around? It challenges me to be a change agent in every situation. But first, those changes need to happen within me. I am on a journey of transformation, and prayerfully commit myself to bring light to the Providence Associates team. “
Providence Centre – Mother Gamelin Day Celebration
On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, Providence Centre celebrated the anniversary of Mother Gamelin’s death with a variety of activities throughout the day. We opened the morning with a beautiful Mass recognizing the many contributions and efforts of Emilie Gamelin. At a very special afternoon tea, the efforts of the staff and Sisters for our “Mission Day” were recognized with the culmination of a Food Bank drive for Anawim Place. A wonderful collection of a wide variety of necessary food items were gathered and then delivered to this essential food bank located in the inner city of Edmonton.
We continued sharing the beauty of the day through camaraderie and sharing that continued with a very special evening dinner prepared by our culinary staff. Our recognition of Mother Gamelin Day was a memorable and spiritually filled day that allowed us opportunities of reflection and to ensure support, compassion and concern for the poor and less fortunate through the efforts of Anawim Place, all in memory of our foundress, on this Mother Gamelin Day 2020.
Orett Green (Staff) singing Hymns of Praise
OLGC letter re. Wet’suwet’en
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
As the country prepares to start up the economy after the long pause of confinement, this is an
opportunity for new beginnings, since it has been demonstrated that many can work together
for the common good. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle encourages you to reclaim the
cooperative moment of breakthrough in the recent negotiations with the Wet’suwet’en
Hereditary Chiefs. It was good that these parties came to some agreement over measures that
begin to implement the Supreme Court’s 1997 Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa decision. We join our
voice with those of other spiritual leaders who have been calling for peaceful and respectful
dialogue.
Release
Message of Support from Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle on Indigenous Languages(For further information inquiries can be directed to: Tracy Blain 1(613) 241-9461 x. 219 or [email protected])
On Monday October 28, 2019, Our lady of Guadalupe Circle released a statement entitled “Message of support from Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle on the occasion of the UN 2019 Year of Indigenous Language”.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a Canadian Catholic coalition of Indigenous people, bishops, clergy, members of lay movements and male and female institutes of consecrated life that seeks to renew and foster relations between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
This open Letter to all Canadians affirms the major significance of language in the revitalization of Indigenous cultures and expresses a commitment to finding ways to support this vital aspect of reconciliation. The restoration of Indigenous languages has been identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada as a key element in reconciliation.
On Sunday October 27th the statement was previewed with the community at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples in Edmonton, Alberta. At that time a video prepared to highlight the message was also viewed.
The video and the message are available on the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle website at
https://ourladyofguadalupecircle.ca/
Download .pdf OLGC Indigenous Languages_ENGLISH