Tea with the Sisters 2026

What a blessed day! The Providence Sisters opened their convent doors to welcome 17 women to spend a few hours with Religious Sisters from various communities. As some of the participants shared, they truly enjoyed spending time with the Sisters and everyone who came. This annual event offers a real opportunity for single women to meet Sisters and explore what it means to be in the Religious life in our Church.

Because so many women registered for the event, we had to find a way to accommodate them. The Providence Sisters’ dining room only seats 20, leaving insufficient room for the women and the Sisters to be together. We decided to divide the participants into two smaller groups, placing one group in another meeting area to make it easier to interact with the Sisters over tea, sweets, and conversation. Halfway through tea, we switched the groups so that the young women could meet all the Sisters present. 

Our conversations were full of interesting topics. Many of the women shared their own faith journey and what had inspired them to visit the Sisters. Some of the questions they asked included: What is the formation process for entering religious life? What is the age limit for entering the convent?

The Sisters shared about their own communities, allowing the women to see that these communities have different charisms and missions that serve the needs of the Church. Perhaps through these conversations, the women will sense a call to Consecrated life and recognize a resonance in their hearts for a specific community.

Providentially, the rain and hailstorm that sprang up during the tea was over by the time we were to head outside. We were led by Sisters and the women participants in the Rosary Walk around the convent grounds, ending at the Sisters’ Lourdes grotto. It was truly beautiful to pray the Rosary together in the sunshine and fresh air after the rain.
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Our next vocation event for single women to explore Consecrated Life in the Church is planned for Saturday, September 26th, 2026, at St. Luke’s Church, from 8:30 am to 4 pm. This is the Fiat Retreat, which focuses on discerning God’s will in our lives. If you are single and willing to explore the life of a Consecrated woman, please save the date and watch for the advertisement of the Fiat Retreat in September.

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Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE, Assistant Director of Vocations.