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Beautiful fall leaves  … Yes, God's blessings are breathtaking!  

Global Connections Volume 8, Issue 4   ENTERING THROUGH THE NARROW GATE (Matthew 7:13) Sister Rosa Eunsoon Kim The directional statement of the 24th Congregational Chapter invites us into “caring for creation and the vulnerable on the periphery”, “in the spirit of Bishop Ketteler, a man keenly sensitive to the needs of the times” (Constitutions # 41). It reminds us that being concerned about and serving the needs of the world is one of our missions which we should continue to do as Christians and members of the Sisters of Divine Providence.  The call, as we know, is ‘a highly significant matter’ and has been found throughout the ages. In reality, however, it cannot be denied that sometimes we find ourselves feeling uncomfortable and burdened with the request, rather than willingly responding to it. Why, then, are we reluctant to respond to the call and experience inconvenience? Perhaps we might say that it is hard enough living our lives. Or perhaps it is because of the fear that a certain action we might take would cause us to lose what we believe is our security. So, I would like to share reflections from Fr. Gabriel Vecchi OCSO. God is too narrow, too restrictive, too different from me. The further away I perceive myself from God, the narrower this gate seems – so narrow that it seems almost closed. But the gate is not that narrow, nor is it closed. This gate seems narrow because the eye seeing it is narrow, the mind peering into it is narrow, the heart loving it is narrow. How can we change this? By desiring to change. The desire to change is already a change. Desiring the gate of God is already the beginning of its crossing. When we try to love God, who seems so narrow to us, the width of the gate remains the same, but the width of our heart, eyes and mind, does not. They expand and begin to accept with less and less resistance what previously seemed intolerable. The narrow gate is the gate of a new life, a life of forgiveness, meaning and union with God. As I am reflecting on his saying, the way of overcoming fear seems not that complicated as Fr. Gabriel shows – just desiring to change, that is, changing one’s mind. To me, it seems that attempting to do so helps us realize that ‘caring for creation and the vulnerable on the periphery’ is not as hard as we think; “for my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11:30). In other words, we could pass through the gate of God without resistance.  Therefore, I would like to conclude this reflection with my wishes and prayer that once again we all would have the courage to respond to the needs of the world and to meet at least one of them before courage faltered. image:pixabay.com  .................. please, click the attachment to read the full article ................................   

       We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Sr. Rose Anne Krantz Who departed this life on September 27, 2024 In the sixty-second year of her religious life Age: 79 years, 1 month, 6 days   “What you have received as a gift, give as a gift” (Matthew 10:8)Sister Rose Anne Krantz, (formerly Sister Thaddine), was the second of five siblings born to Catherine (Hadden) and Lawrence Krantz.  After completing high school at Marycrest, she entered the Community in 1962.  Rose Anne always credited her parents’ faith as the primary model for how she would live her life. Sister Rose Anne initially ministered as a teacher and principal for 17 years in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  She then followed a call to minister as a pastoral associate at Christ the King Parish in Dunbar, WV, where there was no resident priest.  As a pastoral associate she was particularly attentive to the sick and volunteered as a hospital chaplain and as a hospice chaplain.  Ten years of ministry in Dunbar were followed by pastoral ministry in other West Virginia parishes in Parkersburg and new Martinsville (1995-2001). During a five-year hiatus from pastoral ministry, Rose Anne accepted the call to be co-director at the provincial house in Pittsburgh.  She also served in formation ministry.  She then returned to pastoral ministry in Ohio.  Since 2020, Rose Anne has generously served a second term as house director at Providence Heights and at The Commons. Throughout, Rose Anne’s mantra has been “What you receive as a gift, give as a gift” (Matt. 10:8). Among Rose Anne‘s many gifts was her talent with a sewing needle.  Her quilts are cherished by many fortunate recipients.  Her culinary skills were particularly evident in the thousands of pies she made for community and parishes.  Of course, she insisted on homemade pie crust recipe!  Rose Anne also enjoyed biking, hiking and tent camping with her dear friend, Sister Lu Haidnick. Rose Anne continued to minister to her Sisters throughout her diagnosis and treatment for cancer.  She found great comfort in the prayer of abandonment of Charles de Foucauld and in a recent book While I Breathe, I Hope: A Mystagogy of Dying by Richard R. Gaillardetz. Even in death, Rose Anne continued to give herself as gift, donating her body to the Humanity Gift Registry. We are so grateful for the many ways and numerous years she was gift to us.  We count on her continued intercession for all of our needs. Birthday: August 22 Sr. Michele Bisbey

  Congregational Leadership Board Meeting (October 2-7) The meeting began with a welcome and introduction of the participants by Sister Barbara and a prayer and sharing of the hopes of the participants led by the facilitator, Sister Margie. We then heard the highlights of the provincial and mission reports and shared insights into the realities mentioned in the various reports and their implications. The sharing of the different situations faced by the provinces and missions was always authentic and went deeper than just a “business report”. At length, CLB members heard financial reports, reports on membership, accountability reports on General Chapter recommendations and mandates, and a look at our overall membership statistics. This led to a very candid discussion about the realities we face as an Order. Following the reports of the various committees, we had a variety of other topics and basic discussions about the next General Chapter, which will be held September 1-14, 2026, in Korea.      

September 29 -30, 2024 - Korean Province's Community Gathering The CLT conducted a two-day community gathering with the Korean sisters as part of an official visitation to the Korean province. The theme of the official visitation was “Interculturality in Community” and included an overview of the different types of cultures and a presentation by Sister Barbara on the importance of intercultural community life, which is being called upon today. There were also reports on the work and activities of the five commissions, with sharing of an overview of the directional statements and decisions of the Congregational Chapter in 2022.

9. 25- 28, 2024,  with Korea Sisters Through the aged group meetings were used to ask questions and reflect on the current issues and future of the Congregation.

Day 2: Taking a picture with the sisters at the Mother House in Korea and Visiting the sisters at the Jeongja-dong Cathedral in Suwon Diocese.   

Welcome to Korea! The CLT arrived in Korea for the official Visitation of the Korean Province and CLB Meeting. more photos go to Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/people/Congregation-of-the-Sisters-of-Divine-Providence/61552316260348/

  September 29, 2024 Foundation Day   Dear Sisters and Associates, What comes to mind when you think of Foundation Day?  Is there an image, a certain word, maybe a phrase that comes immediately to your mind?  The phrase that comes to me as I sit ready to write this letter is: “dogged determination.”   I’m not sure how that will translate in our other languages, but that is what the Spirit sent me and so I share it with you. Mother Marie had determination.  She refused to give up or give in to pressure.  When she began the community with that first little group of women it started out well.  Bishop Ketteler and she had high hopes for this small band of women.  The foundation of our community prospered.  Mother Marie’s burning passion compelled her to keep trying, to push on despite hardships.  She and Bishop Ketteler had a vision and they continued moving forward.  Mother Marie was a woman of “dogged determination.”  She also had great faith—the kind of faith that refused to give up.    Founders are people of great tenacity, I think.  They have a dogged determination and focus to create a community – to have a dream they refuse to let go of, despite meeting resistance.  Our founders gave us a legacy – a vision, an example of steadfast faith.  Our job is to hold on to that faith, to that vision.  We must steward, guard and promote it.  They met obstacles along the way, yet they kept going.  Their prayers and efforts were not in vain!  The little band of women grew, crossed the ocean, crossed to other continents, and here we are the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence, spread across Germany, the United States, Puerto Rico, Peru, Korea, and Rome.  Who could have known at the beginning, despite the hardships, despite the resistance from a particular German priest who didn’t like Mother Marie, that the little band of women would grow to 300 strong?  One thing is sure – new adventures don’t happen without people with dogged determination, without people who persevere.  God used Mother Marie and Bishop Ketteler, ordinary people, to do extraordinary things.  Now it is our turn. Let’s revisit that sense of calling and excitement when we first heard God’s voice.  Do we still have that passion?  Do we remember who God has been and is for us throughout our history? What is our focus in our particular area:  province, mission or here at the Generalate?  Are we willing to look at new adventures together with the same dogged determination of our founders?  What will it require us to let go of in order to move into a new future together?  What could we do, what might we try?  We have many examples from Scripture when God spoke to individual people like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Joseph and Mary.  It seems in every instance that God was making a covenant with his people, promising them a future full of hope.  God found ways to capture their attention and invited each of them to join in the journey.  God is inviting each of us, too.  In Galatians 6:9, Scripture says:  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Do we believe that God is working in us, in our present realities, to bring about something new?  I do!  I don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future.  It’s definitely a mystery!  I do think, though, we can create our future together with God, step by step, by our trust in our God of Providence, and in one another.  It takes openness, courage, risk-taking.  We can create our future by the choices we make each day.  Our founders trusted God to lead and inspire them.  Shouldn’t we have the same dogged determination to trust God through any given situation?  Shouldn’t we keep on being faithful, living our calling, our vows, our covenants, knowing that God has plans for our future?  Let’s continue to walk the path before us with trust and that same “dogged determination” that Mother Marie and Bishop Ketteler had.  Let’s carry forth their vision and dream new dreams! Happy Foundation Day!   One with you in God’s loving Providence Sr. Barbara McMullen Congregational Leader

  With Blessings !