Sister Megan Grewing celebrated her first profession of vows as a Sister of Divine Providence at a eucharistic liturgy in Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent June 16. FatherAlton Carr, CSsR, former pastor of St. Gerard Church in San Antonio and a good friend of the congregation, was the presider at the liturgy.
Sister Grewing’s family from Muenster, Texas was present as well as many friends. Her father carried the processional cross, and her nephew, Zac Grewing, 7, proclaimed the first reading. She chose a special communion meditation entitled, “Just Like You” by Matt Maher.
Sister Christina Chavez, canonical novice, accompanied by Sister Marjie Filler on guitar, performed this communion meditation.
The readings for the liturgy carried special significance for Sister Grewing, especially the gospel which she chose: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them … But seek first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:25-34)
The congregation has as its charism, “Trust in Divine Providence,” this passage has special meaning for all Sisters of Divine Providence. The congregation’s constitution states: “This confidence in a provident God is a grace for the world entrusted to Moye and to the Sisters of Divine Providence, past, present, and future. Within the mission of the whole church, it stands as the particular way God is present to the world through us.” (No. 7 – Constitution)
During the profession ceremony, Sister Ann Petrus, superior general, received Sister Grewing’s vows. Sister Cathy Parent, formation director, presented her with the congregational cross, a simple wooden cross, which the founder, John Martin Moye, gave to early pioneer sisters as a sign of simplicity and poverty, and which has more resemblance to the cross of Jesus Christ.
Immediately following the liturgy, family, friends, and Sisters were invited to the reception in the auditorium directly below the chapel.
Sister Grewing completed her two year novitiate in May. At the General Assembly in June, she was missioned to Gratia Plena, a Catholic counseling agency in Houston. She will live in community with Sister Rosalie Karstedt, who is currently serving as associate director of Pastoral Formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.