4 • The Spirit of Providence
What an Honor!
H
Dear Providence Family,
Kent and I have recently had surgery
at Providence. We want to share our
appreciation for each member our
Providence family. It takes all of you to
make this ministry so special. We felt
the loving care of Christ through your
hands and gentle touch. We were
comforted and cared for with
compassion by exceptional
professionals. You eased our fears,
relieved our pain and ministered to
our souls. That is truly the healing
ministry of Christ.
We have always been so proud of
Providence and all of you. Now we have
found a new depth of appreciation for
our shared ministry. When we were at our
most vulnerable you cared for us with such
competence, kindness and compassion!
Thank you.
With loving appreciation,
Bev and Kent Keahey
ere it is September already and the big event for us
is Founder’s Day—St. Vincent dePaul’s Feast Day on
September 27th! Friday!
So besides being a day that we get a free meal (hearty stew, salad,
bread and fruit) it’s also a time to refresh ourselves on what St. Vincent
means to us. He, along with Louise de Marillac, started the Daughters of Charity in 1633. They
made a commitment to care for the sick, poor and vulnerable. What was different about that was
that we were not “nuns” living in cloistered monasteries, but out with the poor and in with the sick.
Vincent said, “you have for a monastery, the homes of the sick; for cloister, the streets of the city
or the wards of a hospital.” It was a very profound calling then and our commitment to what they
began over 108 years ago remains strong today.
But back to St. Vincent—since he lived in a time before instant communication, we have many,
many letters from Vincent and so we have access to his words and advice. And if they were spoken
to the Sisters they were spoken to all who care for the sick.
One of my favorites is on the sign outside “God has honored us in our call to serve you.” (the patients)
It is both a calling and an honor which we have every day—all we have to do is recognize that.
No matter what job we do it all serves the sick, and therefore serves God…what an honor!
To keep us centered, Vincent said “If God is the center of your life, no words will be needed.
Your mere presence will touch their hearts.” Just walking through the halls, saying “hi” or looking
kindly at those who come to us, can bring God’s presence to them. (And to us!)
So as we celebrate our founders with a feast, we know we are part of a long history of service,
continuing the loving ministry of Jesus as Healer centuries of love and fidelity! What an honor to be
called to be here at Providence!
Happy Feast! See you at the Soup Pot!
Sister C
Thank You for Saving Lives!
Blood Drive Reminder!
December 11
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Located in the classrooms
across from the InProv Cafe.
Providence Foundation
Founders Society Oktoberfest
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 26
It will be held on the grounds of Historic Waco
Foundation’s East Terrace House located on
Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Please call 751-4762
for more information.
by Jennifer Furrer, Breast Health Center Coordinator
A
ccording to a community profile by Central
Texas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the
Cure, 34% of women age 18-64 in Central
Texas are uninsured. Lack of insurance is one of
the main barriers to receiving necessary medical care,
not to mention preventative exams such as screening
mammograms. These people often show up in local
emergency rooms needing acute care for issues
that have gotten out of control due to lack of early
attention. Some of them have no other option at that
point but extensive and expensive treatment.
With the help of our community, and with
our own Providence Employees, we’ve raised
approximately $45,000 for our Providence Pink Partner Fund! In just a month’s time, we
have been able to help 15 people get the breast health services they need. Keep in mind that 1
in 8 women will have breast cancer in her lifetime. 97% of patients with early stage cancers live
cancer free after treatment. The Providence Pink Partner Fund allows more women to get
mammograms. The more mammograms performed, the more cancers we are able to detect early
enough for more and better treatment options leading to survivorship. Just think, one of your
neighbors may have a mammogram that detects an early stage cancer, receives breast conserving
surgery, and continues to enjoy a full life with her family and friends all thanks to your donation to
the fund.
So from all of us at Providence Breast Health Center and Providence Foundation, THANK
YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your generosity!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! If you or someone you know are interested in
becoming a Providence Pink Partner, you can contact the Providence Foundation office by calling
751-4762 or by emailing [email protected] .