Sisters of Providence, joined by Providence Associates and Companions, gathered in mid-September for the 2022 Provincial Chapter meeting of the Mother Joseph Province.
Most of the General Leadership Team from Montreal also joined in the week of retreat, meetings and celebrations. Sr. Linda Haydock, SNJM, facilitated the Chapter which was held at the Providence St. Joseph Health System offices in Renton, Washington.
Before delving into the business portion of the Chapter, participants spent the first day in prayerful retreat based on the theme Alive with Hope. They focused on stories of hope, both in scripture and modern life, and reflected on where hope would take the Sisters of Providence in the future.
Of particular interest this year is the new governance model for the Congregation. Sr. Judith Desmarais presented an overview of the coming changes after which the General Leadership Team – now known as the Congregational Leadership Team – asked for questions from the Sisters. The Team did their best to answer those questions the next morning. Issues addressed included initial formation, the importance of local communities, finances and more. Much is still being developed.
The Sisters also received a report on the Provincial Associates from its president, Kathe Boucha, and heard about how the Sisters of Providence mission is being preserved in the Providence St. Joseph Health System via a presentation by the PSJH Sponsors and the system’s president, Dr. Rod Hochman.
The meeting concluded with a remembrance of Sisters who have passed in the last year, many thank yous and a celebration of the eight 2022 Jubilarians which included Vespers and a Mass and reception.