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Read more about the Year of Mercy on page 16

personal Christmas letters sent by the sisters to each of the nine inmates on Death Row in Washington State.

#Giving Tuesday is about more than money, organizer Sister Joan Campbell explained. Sisters of Providence at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle gave “awareness” against the death penalty, in addition to sending personal individual letters to inmates on Death Row, giving them prayers and concern.

The sisters’ actions and support made a difference, Daniel Flynn, director of advancement for CMN, told Sister Joan in a message of thanks. “It was a great day for CMN as we were able to re-engage some fallen donors, meet some new donors, and spread wide our pro-life message of mercy. You were a big part of this. We are grateful for your partnership and support!” l

Her involvement in this cause extends beyond this group. She belongs to a similar group at St. Patrick Parish and also is in another group made up of people who go to the parish and live in West Seattle, like she does. She also is involved with Call to Action.

“We can’t just read; we have to have an action, especially on water because we waste so much,” Sister Helen said. “Flint, Michigan (where residents have learned their water is polluted by lead), brought that home.”

The reflection questions are meaty ones, like those from the review of Chapter 1:• How can we respond to “throwaway culture”?• What can each one of us do to help eliminate climate change?• How are we able to save on “water”?• What can each of us do to stop overconsumption of products?• If we are “Instruments of God”, then what are we able to do?

“We Are Called,” like the song she used to open one session says, Sister Helen said. “All are called, but what do we do?” She puts information on various topics out all the time, she said, but people don’t take notice until something touches them. “I want to get them educated because they will change.” Already some actions are

taking root, like remembering not to let the water run, using cloth napkins instead of paper and even writing to Seattle Mayor Ed Murray to thank him for initiatives to provide affordable housing.

“We’ve become more observant of what’s happening around us,” Sister Helen said. “We are connected to the earth and to each other. Pope Francis has a lot to say and it is clever how he says things. Words are important to put the message across.” l

Editor’s note: For more on Laudato Si, go to the Sisters of Providence website at www.sistersofprovidence.net.

Giving Tuesday gives early start to Year of Mercy at SJR

W hen Pope Francis issued Laudato Si, his encyclical on care for creation, Sister Helen Brennan saw an opportunity. Because the sisters at St. Joseph Residence like and admire this pope, perhaps she could be the catalyst that leads to education on this important topic and to real action to make a difference.

The first meeting of the study group on the encyclical at SJR, the residence for retired sisters in Seattle, was held on September 29. Since then about 20 sisters have been meeting monthly, grouping around tables for discussion and then sharing with the larger group. In between meetings, Sister Helen has been doing her homework, to educate, challenge and inspire them. If you’ve looked at the document you know that it’s lengthy, but Sister Helen gathered and copied keynotes on each section, putting them into notebooks. She supplemented those documents with other resources like news clippings and pamphlets.

T he Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis kicked off on December 8, 2015, and will continue through November 20, 2016. Members of the Committee Against the Death Penalty started the special year early, with a simple and straightforward message on Giving Tuesday, the day before Thanksgiving: “May we pray for all on Death Row and work for structural change in our broken criminal justice system.”

At St. Joseph Residence in Seattle, photographs of sisters holding posters

from Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) were displayed on the walls. Also on display were signed copies of

pSr. Lois Murray demonstrates her support for the Catholic Mobilizing Network.

A letter to a Death Row inmate u

qLogo for #Giving Tuesday

Study group participants include (from left) Srs. Rita Ferschweiler, Irene Charron and Eileen Walsh, OP-T.

pSigns of sisters’ support posted at SJR

Laudato Si

Sisters’ study group considers actions to fight climate change

t

We deeply appreciate your kind and generous donations to the Sisters of Providence and the ministries in El Salvador, the Philippines and the United States. We acknowledge the contributions that were received through the Development Office from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. If you note any error in these records, we apologize and ask you to please contact us at (425) 525-3019.

$1000+ Major Benefactors:Harold BrentMarvin and Carol CecchiniEileen B. CollopyRalph and Catherine CostonDr. Maura and Raymond EganVirginia FiccoJames and Rose FlahertyT. K. and Donna GeorgeGonzaga Preparatory School, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Gary HeermannShirley Hofmeister, PCIgnatius Ohno Foundation, Yoshio and Barbara OhnoDavid and Shirley JohnsrudVirginia Anne KaneMark KoenigReggie and Mary Anne LantzHenrietta Manipis, PAKenneth MarceauPavilion Advisory Group, Inc.Providence High School Key ClubAlberta SchwengberRuby C. SirockmanSt. Cecilia Catholic ChurchSt. Hilaire Farms, Inc., Paul St. HilaireRichard and Barbara UmbdenstockRobert and Mary Wildenhaus

$500 - $999 Major Donors:

Pamela BehringRalph and Louise BochslerBouten Construction Company, Bill BoutenColleen M. BridgeSheryl Clark, PADanette DobynsDr. Thomas and Jonita GeorgeClaudia HaglundGrace E. HeisingMargaret M. KushnerAmber LewisRev. Abraham MillerDr. and Mrs. J. Patrick NolanJames and Jo Ann RobertsBob Sendek and Marilyn Sendek, PASt. Joseph ResidenceGeorge and Rita Waldref, PAsPaul and Christina Yeung

$100 - $499 Special Donors:Samuel A. AlcantaraThomas and Jane BaffneyDeacon James R. Barrow, PAMargery A. BaylessJim and Marlene BeckerDavid BjornsonBarbara BochslerDorothy BochslerMr. and Mrs. BradyEdward F. BrennanCaroline S. BrownJacqueline BrownBeverly Jo BrunellePatricia BudoSteven BurdickMr. and Mrs. Bruce ButlerCatherine J. CarbaughCarmelite Monastery of SeattleHelene CartwrightLinda CartwrightMartina K Castle-CharvetCatholic Daughters of the AmericasRev. William M. CawleyMarilyn Charette, SPStephen and Andrea ColemanPhil and Ellen CollinsRobert and Betty Jean CollinsWilliam and Anne CummingsBruce and Cathy DayArmand and Joy DeFeliceTamara DimkeCharlene M. Diss, PAPatrick and Sandra DomitrovichCheryl DufaultIrene Dufort, PAAnne K. DuntonDr. and Mrs. George A. ElmenhurstJill St. John D. EnriquezCharles and Sandra ExelbyDuane and Nancy FinkJudith Anne FinnFranciscan Sisters of Perpetual AdorationTherese FrareDr. Jodi Wardian FunkGemma M. FurnoStacy and Mary Luise GalesWilliam George and Susan RossPhil and Eloise GeorgenJohn GhiglioneG. Faye GilbargIrene GleasonDebora L. GoodKay HallMichael A. HallThomas and Nola HallAdelene HammelmanPhilip Hansen

John and Suzanna Harland, PAsGini HarmonAnna Hawk and Kyle SchlickerBlanche Hill, PADoris HixonBarbara Hood, PAMarion HopperPhilip W. HuberHeather HuntMr. and Mrs. John A. IselyMr. and Mrs. Paul JaremkoDr. Kennard and Marie KapstaferMindi KatzmanGeorge and Mary KennyLeonard and Martha KorslundMarnie KrzyzaniakRobert and Ann KudrnaSusan La BondeLouise Jakki LaBonteMary J. LackaffDr. Thomas and Alice LayneLeon Leadon and Betty Leadon, PAJohn LeeKen and Annie Lind, PAsMichael and Patricia LinerLawrence LoomisJohn MagnusonH.F. Magnuson Family Foundation, Inc.Dr. Stan Malnar, PADr. Rosemarie McCartinMary G. McDonnellMary C. McGuire, SPThomas and Maria McKeirnanMary McTeagueChris and Connie MeloneThomas Mesaros, PAThomas MoenDarlene Moore, PAJack and Margaret MuddIrene Mullen, PADr. William and Mary MurphyVirginia NelsonGabrielle Nguyen, SPEileen Norris, PAMartin and Barbara NorrisThomas K. O’BrienJohn and Dorothy O’DwyerPeggy O’PhelanRaymond H. OkerlundJorge and Maureen OlguinCarolyn T. OlsonDr. Donald R. OlsonDr. and Mrs. Robert P. ParkerSusanne Perri, OPMary Ellen PohlschneiderJacqueline RagoPaul and Barbara RedmondCarol Ann RichlyBecky Rosales, PAHelen RymekSacred Heart Mission, Inc.

Craig Savage and Barbara Savage, PAJoe SchamberCarol Schneller-LundwallColleen Seed, PAElizabeth SeibertJoanne ShreeveSinsinawa Dominicans, Inc.Sisters of the Good ShepherdSt. Aloysius ParishPaul and Krista St. HilaireDelbert SteeleOlaf and Marie StimacJack SumnerTony TeskeGisele and Andre ThibaultJohn TiscorniaRose J. Torres HumphreyAn Quoc TranMarie TrepanierRobert and Geni Van IderstineMitzi A. VandewegePerry VicenteJoanne WaldenbergJeff and Lois Waller, PAsCassie WhinihanMary Ann Wilharm, PAPaul and Mary Lou WilsonCarl and Mary Wingate

$1 - $99 Donors:

Margaret AbholdMyrwin AndersonUrsula J. ArmstrongRyan and Annabelle BaldasariMary D. BargaMarilyn BeforeJerome and Pamela BoldrinGaston BoudreauGenevieve A. BrandonNancy Brooks, PAE. Ann Buchanan, PAPeter BuckPatricia BughiJanice BurgerRose CaplisDale and Gladys CarlsenTeresa A. CartwrightJoan C. CassidyPaul and Pamela CastoldiBob and Theresa CeccarelliMrs. Keith CochranSara Coleman, PAJohn and Monica ColganVirginia CooperEllen CummingsGrace M. DashiellJudy DecourcySonia DelaneyMary Di JulioJames and Joan Dijulio

Sisters of Providencethank our donors and benefactors

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Sharon MeltzerJosie MichaelCatherine MitchellKaren MyersMichael NestorAlicia Kay NewmanCraig and Gwen NowakThomas and Marie-Claude OwensEthelyn G. PankratzWilliam and Rachel PaulZita PetkusJames Qualls and Alaine Qualls, PAJean Randall, PAIrene M. RappMr. and Mrs. Virgil ReynoldsDeb RuffDianne M. RuggPatricia RutanMarybelle SavageLisa ScardinaMary J. ScarpelliClaire SchaubelMichael SieberMr. and Mrs. Michael SkinnerDeanna Smith, PAC. L. SperlSpokane Teachers Credit UnionSallie SpruteMolly SwainPatricia Ann Taylor, PAWilliam and Mary Ann TownsendLorraine K. ToyeTam Duc TranJay T. TrepanierPatricia TrotterLoraine F. ValencsinHarriett Van WyckSara VanleeuwenDan Vi Nguyen

In Memory of:

Steven AdamsonPeter and Patricia EdlefsenDawn AndersonMyrwin AndersonMary Bede, SPMr. and Mrs. Don FairbankHenry and Mary Ellen BotchE. Ann Buchanan, PAAnne Bouffard, SPJeannine D. McClung HackettElinor BrennanJohn and Monica ColganPatricia BrentHarold BrentBarney BrunelleBeverly Jo BrunelleAgripina CabreraPerry VicenteEmiliano CabreraPerry VicenteDr. Robert and Thelma CaseyDr. Kennard and Marie KapstaferDennis ChapmanKay HallHelen ChapmanKay HallPeter Claver, SPJeff and Lois Waller, PAsHonora Collins, SPMr. and Mrs. Don FairbankEileen Croghan, SPLeonard and Martha KorslundKathleen CummingsEllen CummingsAgnes Delphine, SPDavid GalesLillian Maria Deslauriers, SPGaston Boudreau Gisele and Andre ThibaultBetty DexterSheryl Clark, PATomasina and Jim Di JulioMary Di JulioRose Marie Dillman, SPMargaret AbholdAnn Duprey, SPBob Sendek and Marilyn Sendek, PANeil DufortIrene Dufort, PAIrvin FeistMargaret M. FeistClaudia FortenskyDaniel FortenskyElvira FrareTherese FrareNathan GallegosMrs. Billie DranchekJacqueline Marie GreenMarie GreenRichard GretchMary Gretch

Elsie Kelly, SPReggie and Mary Anne LantzCatherine and Henry KleberRalph and Catherine CostonKay HallArnold and Irene LeliefeldRosalie Locati, SPJames Qualls and Alaine Qualls, PA Ida Mae Marceau, SPKenneth MarceauHelen Mason, SPMary D. Barga Theresa L. McKinley June M. Meiners Raymond H. Okerlund Carolyn T. Olson Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Reynolds Dianne M. Rugg Marybelle Savage Carol Schneller-Lundwall Lorraine K. Toye Loraine F. Valencsin Paul and Mary Lou WilsonVirginia Miller, SPClaire SchaubelMichael MullenIrene Mullen, PAMaureen Newman, SPMrs. Keith Cochran Cheryl Dufault Anna Hawk and Kyle Schlicker George and Mary Kenny Carol Schneller-LundwallRetired Sisters of ProvidenceBob Sendek and Marilyn Sendek, PAKathryn Rutan, SPJoanne WaldenbergSisters of Maryville AcademyChris and Connie MeloneSisters of ProvidenceCaroline S. Brown Virginia Anne Kane Rose J. Torres HumphreyShirley Smith, SPAn Quoc Tran Tam Duc TranAlice St. Hilaire, SPBarbara Hood, PA Jim and Marlene Becker Dr. Maura and Raymond Egan Michael A. Hall Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center Mark Koenig Zita Petkus Lisa ScardinaCatherine and Henry WeberKay HallMary Wilson, SPBob and Theresa CeccarelliAnn Dolores Ybarrola, SPMarilyn Before Rev. William M. Cawley Dr. Maura and Raymond Egan Dr. Kennard and Marie KapstaferDorothy Zimny, SPJohn and Dorothy O’Dwyer

Billie DranchekPeter and Patricia EdlefsenMr. and Mrs. Don FairbankMargaret M. FeistShirley Andersen FitzpatrickDaniel FortenskyLeone FossDavid GalesLinda M. GaulMichael and Norma GavinLouise GraffenbergerMarie GreenMary GretchJeannine D. McClung HackettChris Halter, PAJoan HastingsPatricia and Ruben Hoard PerezDonna HorneAnnie Hulme, PAJewelyn ImpettIntercommunity Peace & Justice CenterEvelyn Jenda, PASarah JenkinsMarian Julum-Weaver, PAMr. and Mrs. George JurichRuth KauffmanJanice KellersohnVicki Marie KennerudCarol KilduffCharlene A. KingJo Etta J. LaneDale and Rose LavigneJudith Lynn-PerezLoretta T. McIverTheresa L. McKinleyGeorge MeadJune M. Meiners

In Honor of:

2015 JubilariansJohn Lee Thomas K. O’BrienInez Arkell, SPSusan La Bonde Thomas Moen Ruby C. SirockmanGeorgette Bayless, SPMargery A. Bayless Edward F. Brennan Sarah Jenkins Dr. and Mrs. J. Patrick NolanMaryann Benoit, SPRev. William M. Cawley Dr. Maura and Raymond EganRita Bergamini, SPDonna HorneMary Clare Boland, SPPhil and Ellen CollinsRita Cebula BrownMary J. LackaffAnita Butler, SPCharles and Sandra Exelby Reggie and Mary Anne LantzDorothy Byrne, SPHarold Brent Louise Jakki LaBonte Mary G. McDonnellRose Byrne, SPJoan Hastings Mary McTeague C. L. SperlFelma Cerezo, SPRose J. Torres HumphreyLucille Dean, SPPatricia and Ruben Hoard PerezKarin Dufault, SPAmber LewisJohn EdlefsenPeter and Patricia EdlefsenJacqueline Fernandes, SPRose J. Torres HumphreyRita Ferschweiler, SPDavid Bjornson Mary Ellen PohlschneiderClaire Gagnon, SPDavid Bjornson Helene Cartwright Marian Julum-Weaver, PANaomi Hurd, SPMarvin and Carol CecchiniJames Peter ImpettJewelyn ImpettJubiliariansMary Di Julio Dr. Rosemarie McCartin Molly Swain

Katherine M. VornbrockMargaret WalshCarlene WellingtonJohn and Donna WernerGary WillardPatricia WitteKay Workman, PA

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Flavia Nadon, SPRobert and Betty Jean CollinsSusan Hennessey NestorMichael NestorMarguerite O’Connor, SPMartina K. Castle-CharvetOur ParentsMr. and Mrs. John A. IselyVirginia Jean Paul, SPWilliam and Rachel PaulPeterJudy DecourcyDona Argelia RiojasHarold BrentGerard RutanPatricia RutanNick ScarpelliMary J. ScarpelliJoe and Hildegard SchweiderJoe SchamberMary Shearer, SPLeone FossRobert SlobigMr. and Mrs. BradyCarroll SmithPerry VicenteAlbert StalleElizabeth SeibertRosemary StalleElizabeth SeibertKathleen Stupfel, SNJMMary J. LackaffKevin Charles SullivanJames and Joan DijulioLucinda TateMary J. LackaffBetty Lentz TeelBob Sendek and Marilyn Sendek, PADr. Theodore K. TeskeTony TeskeJack TrotterPatricia TrotterArlette TroutSonia DelaneyCatherine WassonDelbert SteeleJames WebsterReggie and Mary Anne LantzBetty S. WheelerDr. William and Mary MurphyWilliam and Bradley WittePatricia WitteDolores Ybarrola, SPMartina K. Castle-CharvetLucille ZanettiLouise GraffenbergerLydia ZolotovaClaudia Haglund

Susan M. Koenig FundMark KoenigCarolyn Margaret Koreski, SPSteven BurdickAnna Marie Koval, SPBouten Construction Company Dr. Kennard and Marie KapstaferAgnes LaValleyDoris HixonAnne Marcelle LeMay, SPMary Ann Wilharm, PAColleen B. MagnusonH.F. Magnuson Family Foundation, Inc. John MagnusonMildred Marie, SPDavid GalesMarty MarkarianSheryl Clark, PAKatherine Markel, SPCaroline S. BrownEd MarshallIrene Dufort, PAMaryville SistersEllen CummingsAgnes Mason, PAGenevieve A. Brandon Patricia Bughi Paul and Pamela Castoldi Dr. and Mrs. George A. Elmenhurst Jo Etta J. Lane Alicia Kay Newman Irene M. Rapp Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Reynolds Marybelle Savage Carol Schneller-Lundwall Deanna Smith, PA Spokane Teachers Credit Union Lorraine K. Toye Loraine F. ValencsinClaudia McMillan, SPBruce and Cathy DayAnn and Harry MeltzerSharon MeltzerBrigitte MengelbergMary J. LackaffJulian Moran, SPMartin and Barbara NorrisDavid NacchiEllen Cummings

Sisters of Providence thank our donors and benefactors

January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015

Renate Hayum, SPHeather HuntMichael HoardPatricia and Ruben Hoard PerezRachel and Lorraine Hofmeister, SPsJean Randall, PAMary John, SPMr. and Mrs. Don FairbankChester KodaColleen M. Bridge

Sr. Lucille Deanembraces role as

UGF interim president

S ister Lucille Dean arrived on the University of Great Falls campus in Montana last August to take the helm as interim president, an opportunity seemingly designed for a longtime retired educational leader who still has energy, enthusiasm and passion for the mission of Providence. The need is short-term but significant, and it gives her joy as she helps the administrators, faculty, staff and students prepare for the future while the selection goes on for a new president.

About the University of Great Falls

She didn’t come alone. She was joined by Sister Mary Hawkins, a longtime friend and colleague from Sister Lucille’s years as principal of Providence High School in Burbank, Calif. Sister Mary accepted the position of Vice President, Mission Integration. Together, they took up residence in new apartments eight blocks away from campus and have immersed themselves in the lives of the Montana campus and community.

Sister Lucille arrived with 3 primary goals:• To build our sense of Community in light of the Mission,• To complete a strategic plan that will allow the University to chart its course over the next five years, and • To enable the selection of the next President of the University

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• Enrollment: 1,126 • Freshmen admitted last fall: 155 freshmen from 21 states plus 9 international students from Australia and Sweden• 47 percent female and 53 percent male

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