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BY SISTER RITA GLEASON The story of ‘Provident Woman’ began with a phone call from Sister Catherine Cannon, member of the Anniversary Committee inviting me to compose a song or a poem for the occasion. Composer Sister Rita Gleason Sister composes Anniversary song A short while prior to this phone call, while I was on the Celtic Pilgrimage in Ireland, Monica Brown, facilitator and composer had asked me if I had ever considered composing music. So with Catherine’s invitation, I thought, maybe I could compose a song! I sat down at the piano and started making up this tune for the Refrain which I felt had a bit of an Irish lilt to it. The words of the refrain and the title are based on the song ‘Valiant Woman’ by Jane Marie Richardson, SL — a song based on Proverbs 31:10-31. The words of the Verses reflect our beginning history and ministries; our present charism and mission statement, and our hope for the future as we continue to trust in Providence. I chose a major key for the Refrain to reflect a joyful celebration of who we are as Provident women. Some may be asking why I chose the words Provident Woman. As we are celebrating 150 years as a Congregation I thought of the valiant Provident women who did the pioneer work and I wanted to honor them. Why Woman and not Women? It is simply a poetic choice. Like the singing group called Celtic Woman. The Verses are in a minor key — chosen for musical reasons and it also gives our call a more reflective tone. I sought help for the final arrangment from California -based composer Jim Raycroftt, the son of my neighbour. We communicated via e-mail, and I am very grateful to him for his contribution and generosity. 8
Celebration of Remembrance Sisters gathered on a chilly May 8th afternoon at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Kingston to remember the deceased members of the congregation. Sister Monica Whalen offered this opening prayer before the names of the deceased were announced. 1 4 “We gather this afternoon on this sacred ground blessed by the presence of many great women of Providence who have 2 5 through the years served the people of God by living out the charism, mission and spirituality of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. We come to remember the gifts they brought to our congregation through their energy, courage, zeal, sacrifice and love. We honour them today by our presence here, 3 1. Sisters Yvette Girard and Mary Benilda read the names of Sisters buried in places other than St. Mary’s Cemetery in Kingston. 2. The congregation prays together during the spiritual ceremony on Sunday, May 8th. 3. Albert Dunn leads congregational litany. 4. Sr. Jeannette Filthaut shares fond memories of some of the deceased Sisters. 5. Sr. Patricia Amyot prays over the graves as names of the deceased are announced. remembering that we are all living and celebrating the Paschal Mystery – from death to new life. Let us rejoice in the communion we share with one another, with all who have gone before us, and with those yet to come. Let us praise and bless our God. AMEN.” St. Mary’s cemetery 440 Sisters 1 postulant 1 dear friend Crypt St. Mary’s Cathedral 7 Sisters Holyoke, MA 2 Sisters Rosedale Cemetery, Moose Jaw 6 Sisters Joachim Cemetery in Edmonton 7 Sisters Family plots in Sask. and Edmonton 2 Sisters 9
Page 1 and 2: PROVIDENCE PAGES Vol. 3 No. 18 SPRI
Page 3 and 4: few days before she died, I asked S
Page 5 and 6: BY CHRISTINE ROSS Planning for this
Page 7: WRITTEN AND PRESENTED BY SISTER DIA
Page 11 and 12: BY CHRISTINE ROSS The lush grounds
Page 13 and 14: New Leadership Team Sister Sandra S
Page 15 and 16: BY CHRISTINE ROSS Sister Pauline La
Page 17 and 18: Stained Glass continued from page 7
Page 19 and 20: BY SISTER CATHERINE CANNON As the S
Page 21 and 22: In Memoriam BY SISTER BARBARA THIFF
Page 23 and 24: BY SISTER BARBARA THIFFAULT Sister

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