During the [Sisters of Providence] Chapter of 1986, the word that came to the community of the Sisters of Providence was in the form of a decision that was made to establish a committee, and if feasible to design and implement a pilot program. The result was Providence Volunteer Ministry, with the following mission statement: “The purpose of the Providence Volunteer Ministry is to provide opportunities for volunteer service in a variety of ministries and to provide awareness of the life and mission of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. By devoting themselves to works of love, mercy and justice in service among God’s people, volunteers honor Divine Providence and further God’s loving plans.”
Sister Jane Marie Osterholt, General Officer, gives the reflection during the July 24, 2010, Liturgy in St. Joseph Chapel at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.
Today we come to formally close that program which began as a pilot program and then with the first Director, Sister Donna Butler, who responded to the call in August 1989. Sister Mary Montgomery became the second director in 1997 and Julie Szolek-Van Valkenburgh continued the tradition in 2005. In addition, Julie has worked with the PVM program for a total of 14 years, as retreat facilitator, orientation presenter as well as spiritual director before becoming the director. Over these past 22 years, there have been over 150 volunteers at more than 55 sites, with two of the volunteers entering the Sisters of Providence: Patty Wallace and Hannah Corbin.
The word of God became alive in the hearts and minds of each of these persons who have contributed service, be it a day, a week, a month, a year or two years. In the Gospel today, we heard about the person who sowed good seed in the field, but soon there were weeds among the seeds. Into each of our lives, there come some good food or flowers and some weeds, and we learn to distinguish between them for they are a part of life. And so, we have gathered the good that has been done by these volunteers and hold them in our hearts.
We thank especially the ones who have served over the past year or two and are with us today: Jenny Jeck, Jessie Light, Kaitlin Ramsey and Arrianne Whittaker and especially Julie Szolek-Van Valkenburgh. Saying good-bye is never easy and saying farewell to this ministry which has reaped such a wonderful crop of rich harvest, is very difficult. Know that our love, care and prayers go with you. May you reap a rich harvest of your lives wherever you go and may Saint Mother Theodore Guerin always be your companion on the way.