Dr. and Corrine GoodDebora L. GoodStephany Gray Josef GrayArlene HageyAdrienne F. HageyDonald HageyAdrienne F. HageyTom Halter, PAChris Halter, PA Phyllis Silva-Keith, PARose Estelle Harvey, SPPatricia TrotterMichael HoardPatricia and Ruben Hoard PerezRachel and Lorraine Hofmeister, SPsShirley Hofmeister, PCLorraine Hofmeister, SPEmmett and Amedee Marx Joan Pariseau HuberPhilip W. HuberJames P. ImpettJewelyn ImpettElaine "Mickey" JohnstonCatherine JohnstonElizabeth Joyce, SPCity of Revelation Ministries IncEda KeithPhyllis Silva-Keith, PAElsie Kelly, SPReggie and Mary Anne LantzCarolyn Margaret Koreski, SPCatherine JohnstonMaria KurnikIrene Mullen, PAHarold and Mary LuomaDennis and Saralyn AndersonFrancis Ignatius MacDowell, SPMary MurphyWalter MaesBarbara MaesMaryville SistersEllen CummingsEd MeloneChris and Connie MeloneMarilyn MeloneChris and Connie MeloneBrigitte MengelbergMary J. LackaffC. Middie MiddlestetterMary Ann CostelloTim MillsDeLores Mills, PACatherine MitchellDaniel MitchellJoe MurphyMary MurphyRhonda NolanDr. J. Patrick NolanNarbert Novak, OSBJohn and Suzanna Harland, PAsThomas PaddenKathleen PaddenPete and Kay PadovanJack Myers and Patricia Myers, PA

Sisters of Providence thank our donors and benefactorsDeanna Smith, PAChristine E. SolandSallie SpruteTom St. HilaireRobert J. StruppJoann ThornburgAudrey ThrelkeldJohn TiscorniaMr. and Mrs. Tam TranJay T. TrepanierHarriett Van WyckBetty WaltersJohn and Donna WernerPaul and Mary Lou WilsonJames Wittrell

In Honor of

Inez Arkell, SPJay T. TrepanierMaryann Benoit, SPFred BenoitRev. William M. CawleyDr. Kennard and Marie KapstaferFrancis and Sandra RaucciKaren RielRita Bergamini, SPMr. and Mrs. Pat CockrillRonald and Donna HorneMaryann Bochsler, SPRalph and Louise BochslerMarian Julum-Weaver, PAJohn TiscorniaMary Clare Boland, SPCaroline S. BrownMargaret Botch, SPMarie Raschko-Sokol, PAHelen Brennan, SPGemma M. FurnoAnita Butler, SPCaroline S. BrownCecilia Ann McGahanDorothy Byrne, SPLouise Jakki LaBonteMrs. F. Wallace RothrockRose Byrne, SPC. L. SperlGermaine Chabot, SPDavid BjornsonCaroline S. BrownCecilia E. (Betty) ChappellRichard and Elizabeth Caemmerer, Jr.Marilyn Charette, SPYvonne PlahutaJean SemrauDorothea CourtneySonia DelaneyLucille Dean, SPPatricia and Ruben Hoard PerezJoseph F. SciutoJudith Desmarais, SPChristine E. Soland Jack EdlefsenPeter and Patricia EdlefsenClaire Gagnon, SPMonica AndersonColleen M. Bridge Thomas and Marie-Claude Owens

Evelyn Bergamini, SPMary MurphyMichael BlythJohn and Barbara WodynskiJohn and Marguerite BolandBoland Agency Inc.Conrad Mary Bomer, SPMary MurphyHenry and Mary Ellen BotchE. Ann Buchanan, PAPatricia BrentHarold BrentBarney BrunelleBeverly Jo BrunelleAnna Burris, SPLawrence LoomisSr. Ruth BuschurMary D. BargaAgripina CabreraPerry VicenteEmiliano CabreraPerry VicenteRobert and Maria ChapdelaineMr. and Mrs. Gary BruleDennis ChapmanFred and Karen HallHelen ChapmanFred and Karen HallPeter Claver, SPJoe and Martha Legel, PAsJeff and Lois Waller, PAsLen and Joan CockrillMr. and Mrs. Pat CockrillVirginia Cosner (Rose Olive), SPRose CaplisRobert M. CurranLucille Gallagher CurranCurtisMr. and Mrs. John A. IselyBen DaltosoMrs. Ben DaltosoMark DaltosoMrs. Ben DaltosoRodney DaviesMarybelle SavageRyland "Skip" Davis Bill Bouten, PA Roger and Kathy Chase Kathryn Genteman Richard and Ann Ince Sheila MastellerAgnes Delphine, SP David GalesCecile Denis, SPClaire CrockerLillian Maria Deslauriers, SPGaston Boudreau Gisele and Andre ThibaultLily May Emert, SPSheryl Clark, PAMary DeckerCasey McClellanMary Ann Wilharm, PAVictoria FerrerPerry VicenteClaudia FortenskyDaniel Fortensky

Ruby GalesDavid GalesLiz Gress, SPDennis and Saralyn AndersonReggie and Mary Anne LantzMary Hawkins, SPPatricia and Ruben Hoard PerezJoseph F. SciutoMargarita Hernandez, SPMiguel MejiaEric HitchcockHarold BrentCharlene Hudon, SPSonia DelaneyBeatrice LaFramboise, SPAmber LewisAlice LindemannJoann ThornburgRosalie Locati, SPRalph and Catherine CostonIda Mae Marceau, SPDr. William and Mary MurphyHelen Mason, SPDeacon James R. Barrow, PAAlexis Melancon, SPGemma M. FurnoVirginia Miller, SPGemma M. FurnoMichael MullenIrene Mullen, PARetired Sisters of ProvidenceCaroline S. BrownRoberta Rorke, SPMr. and Mrs. Pat CockrillKathryn Rutan, SPMr. and Mrs. Michael SkinnerBarbara Schamber, SPCatherine JohnstonSisters of ProvidenceCaroline S. BrownPhilomena MartelloCarol StruppRobert J. StruppLucy Villanova, SPJohn FaubionCatherine and Henry WeberFred and Karen HallMargaret Mary Wilson, SPCaroline S. Brown

In Memory of

Alberic Marie, SPDr. Thomas and Alice LayneKen AndersonKay AndersonGeorgette Bayless, SPPhyllis Silva-Keith, PAMark James BednarLisa Bednar-ButlerMaryann Benoit, SPFred BenoitJeanette Benson, SPMr. and Mrs. Pat Cockrill

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Marcella Jeanne ParkerDr. and Mrs. Robert P. ParkerVirginia Jean Paul, SPWilliam and Rachel PaulEmma PedralvezPerry VicenteDolores RampadoJohn and Donna WernerSammarcelli FamilyIrene Mullen, PAJim SavageMarybelle SavageHildegard SchamberJoe SchamberMary L. SchroederRichard and Mary SchroederMarilyn Lentz Sendek, PCBob SendekMary Shearer, SPLeone FossShirley Smith, SPMr. and Mrs. George JurichJohn and Winnifred St. HilaireTom St. HilaireRobert M. StruppRobert J. StruppKevin Charles SullivanSteven and Christine SullivanTeresa Leone, SPDr. Thomas and Alice LayneDr. Theodore K. TeskeTony TeskeJohn T. TraynorBarbara TraynorLucille Tremblay, SPMary MurphyArlette TroutSonia DelaneyNestor VicentePerry VicentePaul WilsonMary Lou WilsonDolores Ybarrola, SPRev. William M. CawleyFrancis and Sandra RaucciLucille ZanettiLouise GraffenbergerDorothy Zimmer, SPIrma Marie ZimmerDorothy Zimny, SPHarold BrentJulie Ziocchi, SPMaureen D. Baker

In Memory of . . .

Wills and Trusts

(2017)McClure TrustCharles Williams Trust (2016)Puckett Family Trust

Sister Karen Hawkins

Sister Margarita Hernandez

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Passing of the torch

Sister Karen Hawkins transitions from vocation ministry

tSister Karen has enjoyed the opportu-

nity to go to conferences like the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) and the Religious Formation Conference (RFC), of which she is a national board member. It is valuable to see the work that is being done by other communities and to hear national speakers sharing information.

The real benefit of this ministry has been intensely personal. “Doing vocation and formation ministry, it became really clear how important it is for all of us to be happy, healthy and holy,” she said. In her transition from this ministry, she plans to take time to focus on an intense sabbatical program to review and evaluate how she can continue to become even healthier, happier and more holy.

“The joy of religious life is that it’s always a surprise. You don’t know what God’s going to do next. You just have to be open to it,” she said.

Sister Margarita Hernandez, who is completing her ministry as director of religious education for the three parishes in Walla Walla, Washington, will take over as vocation director on July 1. In the meantime, Sister Margarita will attend preparation events and take advantage of in-service opportunities when she is able to be away from the parish.

“We are most grateful to Sister Karen for her service and wish her well in her time of transition. We offer our prayers and support to Sister Margarita as she anticipates this new ministry of welcoming women who are hearing a call to religious life,” said Provincial Superior Judith Desmarais. “As Pope Francis says, we must develop a ‘culture of vocations’ which will encourage and give women the venue and support to pursue God, who is pursuing them.” l

S ister Karen Hawkins completed her service as vocation director at the end of January, but her last responsibility in that role was fulfilled when Sister Rosa Sen Nguyen professed perpetual vows in Burbank, California, on February 10. It was a whirlwind as she prepared for that big occasion, but shortly afterward Sister Karen sat down for a brief interview about what this vocation ministry, which began in May 2013 after she had been serving as candidate director, has meant to her.

“The greatest joy was when I would meet young women and see how they are wanting to follow Jesus; to follow God,” she said. “They are looking at how to give their lives to God in whatever way God is calling them.” That may lead to another calling instead of religious life, perhaps marriage or life as a single woman, but no matter the choice, “happy, healthy and holy is what we all are called to be,” Sister Karen explained. She, herself, is a “sister mom” with an adult son and answered the call to religious life at a later age.

As vocation director for Mother Joseph Province, Sister Karen has had the pleasure of being with high school students at the Vocare retreat in the Diocese of Spokane and also with women age 20 to 40 in the VIVA retreat in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Both have been opportunities to work together with other congregations and communities to encourage vocations. That includes working with young men in Seattle at Newman Center retreats.

Another joy that came from this ministry has been working with Sister Marisol Avìla, a Sister of Providence from Chile who is doing vocation outreach to Spanish-speaking commu-nities in the Yakima Valley and beyond. “She has experience with education, church ministry, visiting parishes to work with youth, and giving retreats for men and women. She has gifts of organization and vision, as well as a deep love of Providence.” Vocation ministry is specialized, and “our call as religious is to be with the people,” Sister Karen explained. “This is one of the biggest challenges of vocation ministry, but it is necessary to see what is best to serve. To be with the people is the joy.”

last year. His prior position was senior vice president of external relations for Alaska Airlines for 17 years. Joe worked on processes with the five Catholic bishops of Washington State to develop social-justice priorities for 2018. Sister Joan said the Death Penalty Committee was encouraged to hear that the bishops have stated officially that abolition of the death penalty is one of their legislative priorities. “This position will certainly help to garner support for eliminating the death penalty in the state,” Sister Joan explained.

Joe has been meeting with the new Democratic chairs of the Washington State legislative commit-tees. Of particular interest to the Death Penalty Committee are legisla-tors deemed to be allies, including Sen. Sharon Nelson, D-34th, new Senate majority leader, and Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-43rd, chair of the Law and Justice Committee.

Ironically, there is a certain lack of urgency on the issue of the death penalty in the State of Washington because of Governor Jay Inslee's moratorium on execu-tions and the fact that there are "only" eight men on death row in the State of Washington. Polls also indicate that over half the people in Washington don't know that the state has a death penalty. Polling also indicates that the majority of voters

in Washington who are aware that the law exists still favor the death penalty.

Following the meeting with the Death Penalty Committee, Joe Sprague had lunch with the sisters at St. Joseph Residence, gave a short presentation about himself and his family, his interest in networking and communication, and his vision for WSCC. He also fielded questions. One sister said she valued the unique perspective of bringing his spirituality, his experience and his management style to the discernment processes in his personal life. The sisters on the Death Penalty Committee gave him “rave reviews” and said they look forward to working with him. l

Who am I? Whose am I? Who am I called to be?*G�ZPV�UIJOL�ZPV�NBZ�CF�IFBSJOH(PE¨T�DBMM ��XF�DBO�IFMQ�ZPV�DMBSJGZ�ZPVS�MJGF�DIPJDFT�

Sisters of ProvidenceMother Joseph Province

Vocation Office Manager(509) 474-2323

vocations@providence.orgwww.sistersofprovidence.net

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Joe Sprague, new executive director of the Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC), gets an introduction to the work of Mother Joseph Province’s committee working to abolish the death penalty. Members are (from left) Sisters Lenora Donovan, Eileen Walsh, OP, Charlotte Van Dyke, Charlene Hudon and Joan Campbell, chairperson.

Editor’s note: Attempts to abolish the death penalty in Washington State failed in the final week of the 2018 legislative session. Efforts will continue between now and next year.

Committee to abolish the death penalty plans strategy for 2018

T he Mother Joseph Province committee working to abolish the death penalty met December 14 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, to strategize the work ahead in 2018. A guest, Joe Sprague, new executive director of the Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC), joined Providence Sisters Joan Campbell, committee chair-person, Lenora Donovan, Charlene Hudon and Charlotte Van Dyke, and also Sister Eileen Walsh, OP, for this important "kick-off" for 2018.

The committee has been busy, including sending individual letters, handmade calendars and the statement on the death penalty from Pope Francis to each inmate on death row in Washington State. The Sisters of Providence have taken a corporate stance against the death penalty and the Sisters of Saint Dominic have adopted a statement in opposition to it. The Death Penalty Committee has coordinated efforts with a host of other organizations that share the commitment to ending the death penalty, including the ACLU, the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Coalition (IPJC), Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Faith in Action Network (FAN), and the Washington Coalition Against the Death Penalty.

Sister Joan introduced Joe Sprague, who replaced longtime WSCC leader Sister Sharon Park, OP, when she retired

There also was a family member at the liturgy at St. Finbar Parish, Sister Mary Kim Vu, LHC, who initially helped Sister Rosa begin to discern God’s call as a young sixth grader. When Sister Rosa was in her early 20s, a cousin who had transferred from the Lovers of the Holy Cross in

8

Vietnam to the Sisters of Providence, Sister Annmary Vu, encouraged her to explore that religious community. Sister Rosa became a U.S. citizen in 2016.

Everything about the liturgy at St. Finbar Parish and the reception that followed at Providence High School evidenced the international, intercul-tural and intergenerational nature of the Sisters of Providence. The ceremony was bilingual, including banners in the church and the programs; music was provided by a Vietnamese choir and a choir from the high school; two colorful dancing dragons opened the reception, followed by dance performances by young people; and the delicious buffet provided by the Vietnamese community and the high school was enjoyed by all ages. l

To see more photos from the liturgy and reception, and to read the reflection given at the liturgy by Sister Annette Seubert, visit the Sisters of Providence website at www.sistersofprovidence.net.

qSr. Rosa’s family of Sisters of Providence were delighted to join in a photo with the celebrant, Sr. Rosa and Sr. Mary Kim.

tSr. Rosa Sen Nguyen spends a quiet moment in prayer.

tVietnamese children from St. Finbar Parish (left) delighted everyone at the reception, as did the two colorful, lively dragons (above).

uThe glow of her candle illuminates Sr. Rosa’s glowing smile.

pVietnamese friends from St. Finbar Parish gathered for a photo. Sr. Rosa is pictured to the right of the Most Reverend Gerald Eugene Wilkerson and her aunt, Sister Mary Kim Vu, is on the left.

A joyous celebration in Burbank

Sister Rosa Sen Nguyenprofesses perpetual vows as a Sister of Providence

Parish, where Sister Rosa works with the youth group and gives retreats.

T hree “families” came together in a joyous celebration on February 10 in Burbank, California, to witness Sister Rosa Sen Nguyen’s profession of perpetual vows as a Sister of Providence. The first “family” was Sisters of Providence who have joined in her spiritual journey ever since she arrived in Seattle from Vietnam in November 2006 for a “Come and See” experience. The second “family” was administrators, faculty, staff and students from Providence High School, where Sister Rosa has served in ministry in the Finance Office for the last three years. The third “family” was members of the Vietnamese Catholic community at St. Finbar