GRANITE CITY — The Sisters of Divine Providence recently received two new associates from the Springfield diocese during a liturgy at Holy Family Church.

Anne Bone of St. Elizabeth Parish in Granite City and Kathy Rogers of St. Ambrose Parish in Godfrey committed themselves “to be faithful to the spirit of the community” for one year. They join an associate group that now numbers 50 men and women affiliated with the Sisters of Divine Providence in the greater St. Louis area, all of whom renewed their commitments as associates during the Mass.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the associates program in the Springfield diocese. The associates are Christian women and men of all ages and states of life (singles, married men and women, couples, clergy, etc.) who make a one-year renewable commitment to share mission of the Sisters of Divine Providence. Associates are invited to join the sisters in prayer, faith sharing, circles of collaboration, retreats and education days, conferences, celebrations, and charitable works throughout the year.

To find out more about the associates program, visit the Sisters of Divine Providence website, www.divineprovidenceweb.org/associates.

The Sisters of Divine Providence, founded in Mainz, Germany in 1851, is an international community. There are 270 sisters and more than 190 associates in the Marie de la Roch Province. Sisters also minister in Germany, Korea, Peru and Poland.

In the Springfield diocese, the Sisters of Divine Province minister at St. Elizabeth Parish, Granite City. Sisters now in prayer ministry reside at Saint Clare Villa in Alton. Sisters of Divine Providence previously served at St. Mary and St. Mark in Madison; Holy Family in Litchfield; St. Francis/Holy Ghost School, Jerseyville; and Brussels High School.