Engaging the Theological Imagination: A Kaleidoscope of Wonder was the theme for the annual Assembly of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence and their Associates that was held on August 10-13, 2005 at Providence Heights in Allison Park, PA.

During the Assembly, many Sisters and Associates were recognized because, during the past year, they received awards, honors, degrees, or recognition from groups or institutions outside the congregation. In addition to the individual acknowledgments, the Community presented three prestigious awards:

Ketteler Award was presented to Edwina Gateley and Sister Liz Vines for their work in the area of social justice as was the founder of the congregation, Bishop Ketteler, for whom the award is named.

The Marie de la Roche Award was presented to Sister Mary Catherine Roth, whose ministry is focused on service to the Sisters and Associates of the congregation (as was the co-founder of the congregation, Marie de la Roche).

This year, for the first time, the recently restructured congregation presented the Associate Providence Award to an Associate who was nominated by the Sisters and Associates because she exhibits the following criteria: 1) manifests trust in Providence: 2) lives with a spirit of joy, hospitality and hopefulness: 3) demonstrates justice by word and service to those in need: and 4) has been an active Associate for at least three years. Nuala Filberg was the recipient of the first Associate Providence Award.

Other highlights of the assembly included the keynote address by Edwina Gateley on Wednesday evening, and the Annual Commissioning Ritual on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, there was an in depth report to all members on the status of the Associate program. This included a summary of the survey completed by the Sisters and a comparable survey completed by the Associates. The results indicated how each group recognized the impact of the Associates on the entire congregation, on the Church, and in society in general.

During the Assembly, there was ample time for sharing and reflecting on the topics that enhanced the individual and congregation's growth as well as an opportunity to meet some of the 305 Sisters and 188 Associates from all over the western hemisphere. The kaleidoscope is a fitting symbol for the numerous talents and personalities of the various members; and with our imaginations, working together, we can impact society as we continue to make God's Providence more visible in our daily lives.