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"The great gift of Easter is hope" (Basil Hume)

    Easter, 2026   Dear Sisters and Associates, I came across a quote the other day and thought it was definitely worth sharing with you.  In a world that often searches for certainty through arguments and evidence, the Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel once wrote, “There are no proofs for the existence of God.  There are only witnesses.”  His words ring with particular clarity for us Providence people.  Our vocation is not to win debates or to offer tidy explanations of mystery.  Our call is far more beautiful – and far more demanding.  We are called to be witnesses. We have encountered the living God.  We have known the tenderness of Providence guiding our steps, sometimes through bright days and sometimes through valleys.  Yet, we have felt the quiet strength of Christ beside us.  Faith, for us, is not an abstract idea; it is a relationship.  It is the steady assurance that Providence is present, active, and trustworthy.  And from that assurance springs joy. This joy is not naïve optimism or a denial of suffering.  It is the deep joy that comes from knowing we are held by God.  It is the joy that rises even in the midst of challenge because we trust that Providence is at work beyond what we can see.  It is the joy that first burst forth from the empty tomb and continues to echo through history:  Christ is alive!  Love has triumphed! Sing out Alleluia! As Sisters and Associates of Divine Providence, our lives themselves become proclamation. When we forgive, we witness.  When we stand with those who are poor or marginalized, we witness.  When we choose hope over despair, compassion over indifference, courage over fear, we proclaim the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.  Through our fidelity, our service, our prayer, and our communal life, we say to the world:  God is real.  God is near.  God is love. The question before us is simple and profound: How do we give witness to what we have seen and heard?  We do so by allowing God’s presence to shape our attitudes, our words, and our actions.  We do so by speaking openly of the hope that sustains us.  We do so by living with integrity, so that others glimpse in us something more than ourselves.  Our very lives become an invitation – an open door through which others may encounter the God we know and love. In every place we minister, in community gatherings, and in quiet moments of daily encounter, we carry the light of Christ.  We do not need to prove God’s existence.  We simply need to reflect God’s presence.  A listening heart, a generous spirit, a faithful commitment to justice and mercy – these are the living testimonies that make faith credible.  These are the very things that Bishop Ketteler and Mother Marie passed on to us. May we never underestimate the power of our witness.  A single life lived with conviction can awaken faith in another.  A community radiant with joy can renew a weary world.  Providence has entrusted this holy responsibility to us – not because we are perfect, but because we are willing. Let us continue, then, to walk forward with confidence.  Let us trust the One who has called us. Let us rejoice in the gift of faith that fills our hearts with unshakeable hope.  And with voices strong and grateful, let us proclaim with our lives and our lips: Alleluia! God is with us. God is faithful. God is at work among us still. With gratitude for each of you and the witness you give each day, I wish you a Happy Easter! Sister Barbara McMullen CDP, Congregational Leader  

   

  " Our eyes and hearts must be reverted to our Redeemer, who is, even now, leading us into his eternal life. Let us not take our eyes off him!"  Chery Ann smith, 'Living with Christ' -

Image: Pope at Angelus: Faith opens our eyes to suffering humanity - Vatican News   "Deeply disturbing news continues to arrive from Iran and the entire Middle East. In addition to the episodes of violence and devastation as well as the widespread climate of hatred and fear, there is also the concern that the conflict will spread and that other countries in the region, including beloved Lebanon, may again sink back into instability. " We lift up our humble prayer to the Lord, do that the thunderous sound of bombs may cease, weapons may fall silent, and a space for dialogue may open up in which the voice of the people can be heard. I entrust this intention to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, that she may intercede for those who suffer because of war and lead hearts along the paths of reconciliation and hope." - Pope Leo, during his weekly Angelus address at the Vatican last Sunday. Vatican Dicastery for Communication. March 8, 2026 -

photo: Daffodils Early Bloomer Flower - Free photo on Pixabay   Lent, 2026 Dear Sisters and Associates, There is a quote from Meister Eckhart that says, “There is a journey you must take.  It is a journey without destination.  There is no map.  Your soul will lead you.  And you can take nothing with you.” As we enter this holy season of Lent, Jesus once again extends a simple but demanding invitation: “Come, follow me.”  He does not hand us a map, either, or explain every step ahead.  Instead, he asks us to walk with him—to trust the journey itself.  This is a deeply Providence call.  We are invited to move forward not because we see the whole path, but because we trust the God of Providence, whose loving care goes before us, accompanies us, and unfolds through our faithful response.  Faith, grounded in Providence, helps us move beyond the pain and limitations of the present moment, and there are many!  It urges us onward, trusting in a future we cannot yet see but are bound to pursue if our humanity is ever to come to the fullness of life.  Lent reminds us that trust in Providence is never passive.  It calls us to attentiveness—to notice where life is diminished, where dignity is threatened, and where God’s people are longing for hope.  As women and men shaped by the spirit of Providence, we ask ourselves:  How can our choices, our voices, and our presence help make life better?  Where is God inviting us to respond for the sake of justice, compassion, and the common good?  I heard those same questions in the responses during our International meetings.  Good questions as we move toward Chapter! This season also challenges us to integrity of life.  Lent gently but firmly calls us to be who we say we are.  Our integrity is measured not by perfection, but by three essential practices:  self-control that frees us from habits that bind us; respect that honors the dignity of every person, especially those on the margins, and freedom from self-deception—the courage to see reality truthfully and respond with love.  These practices ground our mission and give credibility to our witness in a world longing for authenticity and hope.  Bishop Ketteler, whose vision continues to shape our commitment to justice, reminds us that trust in Providence must be lived out through action.  He urged us to rely on God’s guidance while taking responsibility for the needs of our times, especially where injustice and suffering prevail.  Lent invites us into that same courageous faith—trusting Providence while allowing ourselves to be used as instruments of God’s compassionate care.  Remember always that we are God’s Beloved.  Our fasting, prayers, and almsgiving do not earn that love—they flow from it.  Rooted in Providence, we trust that God’s care surrounds us and calls us outward.  As we walk this mapless journey together, this holy adventure, may we be attentive, courageous, and faithful—confident that God is still at work through us, shaping a more just and hope-filled world.   Have a good Lent! One with you in God’s loving Providence, Sr. Barbara McMullen, Congregational Leader

  Celebration of the World Day of Consecrated Life Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island   On February 1, religious men and women from across the Diocese of Providence gathered to celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life. The event was organized by the diocesan office responsible for religious. The celebration began with a luncheon at the Ruane Center of Providence College, followed by a keynote address delivered by Fr. Walter C. Wagner, O.P. In his reflection, Fr. Wagner offered meaningful insights into the vocation and mission of consecrated life in the midst of a rapidly changing world. The gathering continued at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, where participants joined the Most Reverend Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Providence, for Eucharistic Adoration and Evening Prayer. In this time of prayer, we renewed our awareness of our vocation within the Church’s pilgrim journey and asked for the grace to remain faithful to the call we have received. The day was a grace-filled opportunity for all religious present to reaffirm their commitment to their vocation and to pray for the strength to respond faithfully to the needs of our time.

  On the occasion of the World Day of Consecrated Life, we pray for ourselves and for our religious communities. "... As the Church continues her pilgrim journey toward the Kingdom of God, may this year be one in which the presence and service of consecrated men and women—entrusted with breathing vitality into the Church and fostering living relationships and solidarity within the community—shine forth ever more clearly. With deep gratitude and respect, we acknowledge the dedication, silent prayer, and daily fidelity offered by each and every one of you. We earnestly ask the Lord to remain with you always and to grant you His peace..."  (The Korean Catholic Bishops' Conference, from the 2026 Statement on Consecrated Life)   Attachment: 1. CICSAL ANNOUCEMENT  2. LCWR - Vatican City, January 28, 2026, Prophecy of presence: consecrated life where dignity is wounded and faith is tested