How to Learn About Vocations or Contact the Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph

Updated

The Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph website (sistersofprovidence.net) is the starting point for anyone exploring religious life with this congregation or wanting to reach out directly. The site names Sr. Marisol Avila as Vocations Director and describes formation gatherings that bring together hundreds of young people, so a first step is to look for vocations-related content and the Contact section to make an inquiry. The site also publishes news and community stories that show what the sisters actually do day to day, which is useful background before you make contact.

What the site tells you about the congregation

The Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph describe their mission as giving "a human face to Providence" and testifying to the love of God by engaging compassionately with people who are poor and vulnerable — those whose basic needs are not met, victims of injustice, the rejected, the marginalized, and the voiceless.

That mission is expressed through a wide range of ministries, and the site's home page profiles individual sisters to illustrate them. Examples drawn from the site include:

  • Sr. Susanne Hartung leading the Mission Service Opportunities program, which connects Providence St. Joseph Health caregivers with service in their communities
  • Sr. Vilma Franco ministering in the mountainous Arcatao region of El Salvador and helping repair a house
  • Sr. Charlene Hudon, Chair of the Earth Committee, participating in a roadside demonstration in Seattle
  • Sr. Phuong Ha Nguyen serving as chaplain at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles
  • Sr. Judith Desmarais' long involvement in ministry in service of those who are deaf
  • Sr. Bea LaFramboise leading students through downtown Seattle for the "Sacred Encounters" ministry, providing food and necessities to people experiencing homelessness
  • Sr. Paula Cosko teaching English as a second language for more than three decades at North Seattle College
  • Sr. Marie-Thérèse Gnamazo ministering at the West Seattle Food Bank

Seeing this range is a practical way to understand what life and ministry in the congregation look like before you inquire.

Learning about vocations

The site identifies Sr. Marisol Avila as Vocations Director for the Sisters of Providence and notes that she spoke to a formation gathering that brought hundreds of young people together in central Washington. This tells you two things:

  1. There is a named point of contact for vocations. If you want to ask about discerning religious life, the Vocations Director is the role to look for on the site.
  2. Formation gatherings happen and draw large groups. These events are a way to meet the community and other people exploring the same question.

To use this:

  • Look for vocations content on the site and note the Vocations Director's name.
  • Use the Contact section (see below) to ask about upcoming formation gatherings or how to begin a conversation.
  • Read the community stories and Latest News to get a feel for the congregation's life and priorities before reaching out.

Using the Contact section

The site includes a Contact section. This is the direct route for inquiries — whether about vocations, the congregation's ministries, or general questions. When you write, being specific helps: say whether you are asking about vocations, about a particular ministry, or about the congregation's history and leadership.

Reading the Latest News and community stories

The site's news section is a low-pressure way to learn more before making contact. Recent items mentioned include:

  • PA Nicolas Estrada leading a four-part "Celebrating Providence" virtual series
  • Sr. Helen Mason, SP; Sr. Mary Kaye Nealen, SP; and Sr. Patricia Glen, SP
  • Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center ministry celebrating 140 years of healing
  • Chilean Sisters sharing reflections on Mother Joseph Community Days and Jubilee
  • A first step on the journey toward the 2027 General Chapter
  • The 2026 Jubilarians celebrated for decades of dedication and impact
  • The Sisters of Providence recognizing 50 years of ministries in Haiti

The site also notes the Mother Joseph Core Group (Srs. Josefina Lerios, Marcia Gatica, and Hong Nga Nguyen) and shows the 2026 Jubilarians with the community's Congregational Leadership Team — useful if you want to understand how the congregation is organized and who its leaders are.

A practical sequence

If you are starting from scratch:

  1. Read the Mission and "What We Do" sections to see whether the congregation's focus matches your own sense of calling.
  2. Browse the Latest News and sister profiles to see the actual work.
  3. Note the Vocations Director's name and any formation gathering information.
  4. Use the Contact section to introduce yourself and ask your specific question.

The site does not publish pricing or login details for these resources, so treat any inquiry as a normal correspondence rather than an online application process.