Friday, July 24, 2009

DAYTON DEANERY — Sister of Divine Providence Joyce Detzel, a Dayton native, made her first profession of vows on June 19 in her congregation’s Sacred Heart Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent in San Antonio, Texas.

Sister Jane Ann Slater, superior general of the Sisters of Divine Providence, received the vows on the name of the congregation. Marianist Father Chris Wittmann of the University of Dayton was the principal celebrant. Gathered for the celebration were Sister Joyce’s family and friends, as well as women and men religious.

Sister Joyce completed degrees in religious studies, theology and law at UD. She worked as an attorney and later moved into education, serving as a teacher and assistant principal of academics at Chaminade-Julienne High School. During this time she also raised a son, Michael, who now resides in Cincinnati.

Her lifelong interest in vowed religious life led her to the Sisters of Divine Providence of San Antonio. She formally entered the formation as a pre-novice in August 2007, and was received into the novitiate in January 2008.

With her first profession of vows Sister Joyce is committed to living the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience for one year according the constitutions of her congregation. This temporary commitment will be renewable annually until she makes a profession of perpetual vows.