July 13, 2025

Dear Sisters,

Happy Ketteler Day!  I call upon the spirits of both Bishop Ketteler and Mother Marie as I officially announce the Twenty-Fifth Congregational Chapter of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence.   The Chapter is scheduled to convene at St. Imbert Center in Seoul, South Korea from September 1-14, 2026.  The Chapter will officially open with a liturgy of the Holy Spirit, after which the Delegates will proceed to the meeting room to begin the opening session of the Chapter.  The Chapter will close on September 14 after the signing of the Acts of the Chapter and celebration of a closing Mass.

The theme of the Chapter is Holy Adventure: The Path to Possibilities.  Undergirding this theme is the Scripture: “Behold I make all things new.”  (Revelations 21:5)  A holy adventure is a journey in trust and in hope that we will see together a new future for our Congregation.  We have been on this path for a few years now as we have pondered and shared ideas for our new governance structures, reviewed our Constitutions, participated in national and international meetings.  This “holy adventure” beckons us to come with an open spirit, a trusting heart, a far-sighted mission.  The “path to possibilities” offers us the opportunity to detach from our own preferences for the good of the whole, to energize us with hope to imagine new ways of being together and to listen to the workings of the Spirit in our midst for the transformation of our hearts.  The Chapter logo, designed by our own Sr. Bibiana, symbolizes this theme with the open circle, the path of possibilities from the present to our future, and the guidance of the Spirit leading us.   The three colors of green, blue and yellow speak of hope, peace, vitality, trust, wisdom, joy, faith, determination and creativity.  This adventurous path will challenge us to break down our boundaries and overcome obstacles.  This adventure will change us and give us the opportunity to experience a deep understanding and respect among our cultures as an international congregation in a new way as we open ourselves to new horizons.  Providence will lead us!

The beginning day and a half of the Chapter will have a presentation by Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF who will open our hearts to the Gospel message of unity as we seek new directions for the Congregation’s future.  We will commit ourselves, once again, as an intercultural Congregation to deepen our relationships and interconnectedness with one another and our global world.  Much of the Chapter agenda will be informed from the work of the established Commissions, especially the Constitutions Commission, where we will be looking at and selecting a new governance model.  We will also be discerning and electing a new Congregational Leadership Team. 

In preparation for this graced time in our history, I invite every Sister / local community to begin praying the enclosed Chapter prayer.  Let us call upon the Spirit’s guidance, as well as our founders and all the great women who have gone before us, to intercede for us before our Provident God for the courage to move in new and bold ways for the good of the whole.  We are on a” holy adventure” together, a special time of both grace, blessings and challenges.  Together we explore the “path to possibilities” that will lead us now and in the future years to come. 

In God’s loving Providence,

Sister Barbara McMullen, Congregational Leader

Acknowledgements:  Chapter Logo:  Sister Bibianna Jinah Whang

                                       Chapter Prayer:  Sister Barbara McMullen, XVII General Superior