Called to ministries of holistic healing and spiritual care, we live out these works as individuals and by our Community sponsorship of Genesis Spiritual Life Center in Westfield, Providence Ministries for the Needy in Holyoke, Catholic Health East's Sisters of Providence Health System in Springfield, and Providence Place in Holyoke.

Helping others through a variety of ministries
A number of our Sisters are involved in various aspects of spirituality and spiritual care. They may minister as a pastoral associate in a parish community or as a spiritual care director or pastoral visitor for residents in acute or long term care facilities.

Some of our Sisters provide one-on-one spiritual direction and give group retreats and workshops at our own Genesis Spiritual Life Center as well as at other retreat and spiritual care centers. One brings our Providence spirituality into the marketplace as an artist and poet, and two others prepare many in Holyoke's Hispanic community for the sacraments. Some are involved in grief counseling and others in attempts to bring a spiritual piece to local and global justice and peace initiatives. At the same time, each of us is steadfast in our commitment to delve deeper and deeper into the mystery surrounding Divine Providence and how our Provident God is manifested in the universe.

Our healing ministries have included Sisters volunteering and working in varied health care settings and social service agencies that provide the necessities of life to people in need. One of our Sisters is a very active builder/office volunteer in our local Habitat for Humanity Office. Another works full time as program director at Annie's House in Springfield, a program sponsored by the Massachusetts Career Development Institute and offering congregate living, education and job training for women in transition. One Sister brings our spirit to her post as director of resident programs in our independent-living retirement community and yet another heads up the Northeast Division of Catholic Health East. Others are involved in ministry to children and youth.

Sister Julie Crane at a local Habitat for Humanity work site.

Helping each other along the way
We minister to each other as well, providing for the spiritual and health needs of all our Sisters, particularly our elderly and ill in our Infirmary. We are committed to one another -- there to celebrate the joys and accomplishments of life; and, there to provide each other with moral support during times of personal struggle, loss and difficulty.

Since holistic healing involves care of body, mind and spirit, our health care ministries encompass a wide variety of sponsored services including acute care, behavioral health and long term care.

We continually ask ourselves, "What needs healing in our part of the world?" Thus our story continues as we reach out to the homeless, the alienated, the oppressed and the lonely in our times.

Taking care of the spirit a well as the body is a continuing part of our health care activities. As Sister Elizabeth Oleksak says, "We approach spirituality in terms of the whole person, which allows growth to unfold within. People deepen their prayer life in surroundings of simple, natural beauty. In light of this, we continue to tell our story by ministering to the spiritual needs of people."

For a comprehensive, detailed list of our sponsored ministries, please visit our sponsorship and links page.

Sisters of Providence
5 Gamelin StreetHolyoke, Massachusetts 01040
phone: 413 536-7511fax: 413 536-7917
sisters@sisofprov.org

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