What is the Providence Companions in Mission Program?

In simple terms this is a one-year commitment, renewable for up to six years, which would enable Catholic women to fully participate in the community, prayer, and ministerial life of the Sisters of Divine Providence.

 

What are the basic elements of the Providence Companions in Mission Program?

In order to more fully realize her Baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ, the Providence Companion offers her life and gifts for a period of one to six years to the mission of the congregation.

A Providence Companion is invited to live in a local community, becoming ever more attentive to the Gospel as lived by the community. She participates in a process that includes:

•  Sharing in the prayer, ministry, and the community's mission

•  Making promises to live as the Sisters do for a specified period of time

• Working one-on-one with a mentor
• Engaging in an ongoing program of spiritual formation

Who can become a Providence Companion in Mission ?

This is a program for Catholic women who desire to be attentive to Jesus and his Gospel message and who are:

•  Single, widowed or divorced, practicing Roman Catholic, woman aged 18 or over,
    without dependents.
•  In reasonably good physical and psychological health
•  Capable of participation in a minimum of 30 hours of ministry per week

What is the process for becoming a Providence Companion in Mission ?

The formal process includes:

• Signed application form with a formal letter requesting participation in the program
• Recent medical evaluation and psychological interview
• Autobiographical statement
• Interview with someone from the Providence Companions in Mission Team and the community's leadership

The informal process includes:

• Opportunities for conversation with several community members
• Opportunities to visit ministry sites
• Two weekend visits to local communities

In what types of ministry is a Providence Companion in Mission engaged?

Ministries are widely varied and depend on the skills and abilities of each participant, but may include such things as:

•  Social outreach
•  Primary, secondary,
    or college education
•  Campus Ministry
•  Early childcare
•  Care for the elderly
•  Youth ministry
•  Retreat work

 

What about finances?

All financial and legal considerations will be considered on an individual basis. The participant, along with a designated member of the PCM Team, will draw up and sign a notarized agreement regarding financial and other obligations on the part of both the participant and the community.