The founding chapter of our province "Mother of Divine Providence", which was held from
1st to 8th December 2013, had opted for the house in Lajeado as the canonical location of the new province. Up to this point, this house was the location of the "Region of Divine Providence". The legal administration of the new province would have its headquarters in Porto Alegre.
The new provincial coordination organized it in such a way that the canonical aspects, as well as those of the management, would meet best together. The provincial Coordinator and her representative lived in Lajeado the other two Assistants were in Porto Alegre. The Sekretariat and the Secretary were also in Lajeado. The Economist and the 2nd Secretary lived and worked in Porto Alegre.
With the founding of the new province, everything had to be re-organized, both on the canonical and administrative level. Associated with this were countless meetings and travelling between Lajeado and Porto Alegre – a distance of almost two hours’ drive, and that twice a day. We realized that this decision of the provincial chapter would be impractical.
In an interview with the provincial coordination on March 31, 2016, Sr. Márian Ambrosio, General Coordinator, and Sr. Lucia Weiler, General Assistant, asked to search for alternatives so that the entire Provincial Coordination could live in Porto Alegre. This would ease the task of the Coordination.
On April 17, 2016 a letter was sent to all Chapter Delegates with the request for their consent, so that the entire team of the provincial coordination could live together in Porto Alegre.
This decision was supported by all Chapter Delegates. On 21st May 2016 then, the provincial coordination could move into a rented house in Porto Alegre, which belongs to the Joseph Sisters of Chamberry. But it was not very practical to change the official address of our Province for this house. Therefore, the address of the Province in Lajeado remained the same.
In a meeting of the coordination on 12 September 2016, many sisters expressed the wish to have an own location for the province. Thus, they searched for an appropriate house within the location of Porto Alegre. The house should not be too large and should be close to the other communities.
After we had looked at several houses, which were offered for sale, we found a suitable house on the Ludulfo Boehl road Nr. 511. The Provincial Coordination, the Management Board of the province and various sisters and teams looked at the house and agreed as well. After negotiations with the owner it was decided to buy this property. This decision was communicated to all sisters of the province. The renovation works lasted from March until July.
On 26 June 2017, the Provincial Coordination could tell the sisters with joy that the renovations of the house were almost completed. They invited the sisters to the blessing of the house and to the confirmation of the new headquarters (official seat) of the province.
Thus, the house "Mãe da Providência"/(Mother of Divine Providence”) was inaugurated on July 15, with the blessing of Archbishop Dom Jaime Spengler. Sr. Márian Ambrosio and Sr. Lucia Weiler were present.
On July 24 began the transfer to the new house, and on July 30, the whole community could move in.
Thus far, the Lord has guided us. He will certainly continue to do so!
Sr. Imelda Bieger – Provincial secretary