The local Sisters of Providence community recently added the Philippines to its territory.

Mother Joseph Province, which includes Washington, welcomed the three Providence sisters in that country to its membership after the May 17 General Leadership Conference. Sisters Julia “Julie” Macasieb, Dalisay “Beth” Rayray and Lucila “Lucy” Vasquez also celebrated with the community at a party at St. Joseph Residence in West Seattle on May 18, according to a province press release.

The three sisters will continue to live and serve in the Philippines while collaborating with their Mother Joseph Province and keeping a relationship with Holy Angels Province in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The small number of Providence sisters in the Philippines, their ministry needs, and further networking were among the reasons for the new partnership, wrote Providence general superior Karin Dufault in a letter to her religious community.

“They want to retain the ‘Philippine-ness’ of mission, that is, inculturation of the mission through Filipino eyes, setting realistic priorities for ministry,” she said.

Besides Washington, the Mother Joseph Province also includes Alaska, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana and El Salvador, with 137 sisters and one novice.

The Sisters of Providence first began a mission in the Philippines in 1989 and started a formation house in 1990 with their first candidate, Sister Julia Macasieb, joining in 1993. In 2007, the Philippines community became a vice-province.

Two more sisters from Chile have recently transferred into the province as well.

May 20, 2014