After almost three years of intensive planning our new provincial- and two sister-houses, the official ‘ground-breaking’ ceremony for the construction took place on May 2nd, 2018. This is something quite unique for us Providence Sisters, being the "construction women", a community of over 230 sisters in the German Province.
Invited were all the sisters, staff, representatives of the city, the diocese, architects, builders, and last but not least the advisors, who are indispensable for the provincial coordination with their collaboration and forward thinking, their expertise, their wealth of experience and their commitment, which is supporting our undertaking very much.
After the welcome by the provincial coordinator, Sr. Paula, and the jointly sung song "Trust the new ways", Sr. Paula noted that on the construction site nothing can yet be seen of new ways, and of the previous ways, nothing is to be seen anymore; but in recent decades on this piece of earth much valuable and precious things have happened, also for the future.
That then Sr. Willehadis has taken up in her report of what this piece of earth – called ‘Kamp’ by us sisters, - could tell: of cows and horses, of the plowing, sowing and harvesting; it could tell from ways around the ‘Kamp’ when searching and struggling, praying and hoping, when relaxing and unwinding. This piece of earth could tell how the ‘Kamp’ became a verdant and blooming Park, an oasis, not only for the sisters but also for the residents of the home for the aged, the elderly peoples’ residence and other neighbors. Just a little piece of earth that inspired life!
To this report, which has touched and moved us sisters very much, Sr. Paula added that this even would be the vision for the future of the new Provincial House, namely, being a house with room for exchanges and encounters, a house with open doors, where people can go in and out. We know that this is an ambitious goal for this to happen one has to proceed in depth, even in a figurative sense.
The Mayor, Mrs. Reismann, our nearest neighbour, found very personal words in her welcome speech. Since her wedding day - exactly 53 years ago - she found here a new home with her family. She has met many sisters and made contacts "over the fence". She expressed her joy to be able to continue this soon in the new house.
Then followed the blessing of the construction site by the Deputy Vicar-General, Mr. Dr. Reidegeld, he started with words from the Gospel of Matthew of the wise man, who built his house on rock. Whoever hears these sayings of mine and acts accordingly… Not only what is written, but above all the living Word of God of the many sisters, who have lived here, prayed, and worked, and from which nothing is lost, that is the living foundation, which carries and upholds the new house in the future. On this foundation, all activities of the new House should be set and for this we ask God's blessings.
After this, the official ground-breaking ceremony for the construction was carried out by the provincial coordination, the provincial Economist, the Managing Director and other contributors.
The architect, Mr. Klein Riesenbeck, has then expressed briefly his thanks for the good reception and his appreciation towards the construction women for the respectful approach to each other and the constructive cooperation.
At the end, all were invited to a drink and a small strengthening snack at the current provincial house. There could be seen a model of our new Provincial House, created by the architects. As a souvenir of this day, all received a miniature version of the clinker stone of our new House.
Sister Franzis Feldmann
GENERALAT DER SCHWESTERN VON DER GÖTTLICHEN VORSEHUNG
Breul 22 a
48143 Münster
Telefon: 0251 41350
vorsehungsschwestern@
generalat.de