My journey with Providence Associates started a couple of years ago. At the time, I was fundraising for a mission trip to Beirut, Lebanon. When the Sisters heard my story, they rallied around me to help by preparing packages of sanitary items, donating money, and offering their prayers. Through that, I got to experience the Sisters' generous hearts. They made me feel I was part of a bigger mission. So, when I started attending the Providence Associates meetings, I felt like I found my place of service. I am grateful to Sr. Mary Grace (Mae) Valdez and Sr. Christina Wong for introducing me to the PAs.
Since then, I have learned so much from the books suggested by Sr. Christina Wong about the Foundresses of the community. There three women that went before us have gone through a lot, but they stood their ground in their faith and service. The story of Mother Gamelin made me cry, laugh, feel inspired, encouraged me to be more and do more. It also encouraged me to trust God in all situations. She was an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life, that is why we still talk about her.
It is such a privilege to be part of an amazing group of people who are dedicated to serving the community and God. The life of service in any capacity has always been attractive to me. This is because I witnessed my mother serve the young, the poor, the elderly by opening our home to anyone who would need it. This has set me on a path of wanting to serve others. Now I have this opportunity to journey with the Providence Associates and I feel so blessed.
Here is the Scripture I read at the ceremony of Acceptance:
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. And they do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it may shine to all who are in the house. So then, let your light shine in the sight of men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father, who is in heaven."
-Matthew 5:13-16
This Scripture is unique to me because it shows me how to live daily. Sometimes, I want bigger goals, bigger impacts but this one brings me back to the details. How should I behave toward others, toward everyone, young, old, poor, rich? Do I serve them, love them, and bring the good flavours of this world to to them equally? Am I making things brighter and better or is it the other way around? It challenges me to be a change agent in every situation. But first, those changes need to happen within me. I am on a journey of transformation, and prayerfully commit myself to bring light to the Providence Associates team.
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