INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
“Beauty is a revelation of God. In a world of violence, beauty and art are icons of hope for all. We create and care for the beautiful spaces in our communities where God is encountered.” (The Arts, Congress on Consecrated Life, Rome, 2004)
The Sisters of Providence International Centre serves as a gathering place where members of the Congregation hold international meetings and small group activities.
In a symbolic and creative way, the International Centre expresses the values and mission of the Sisters of Providence and their orientations for this century.
You are invited to take time to reflect on the vision that inspired the design of the main entrance of this building:
> Creative vison behind the architecture of the International Centre
> Creative vision behind the design of the stained glass at the reception hall
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
The Sisters of Providence International Centre is home for the General Administration Offices, the Émilie-Gamelin Centre, the Community Archives, and includes a number of meeting rooms and suites. For any questions concerning these activities, you are invited to contact directly the persons listed below at the following phones and addresses:
TO CONTACT US
Sisters of Providence General Administration
12 055, Grenet Street – International Center
Montreal (Quebec) Canada
H4J 2J5
Phone: (514) 334-9090
Fax: (514) 334-1620
| Department | Local / Email | Online form |
|---|---|---|
| General Information Reception |
Dial « 0 » |
Online form |
| Communications Nadia Bertoluci |
local 109 communications@providenceintl.org |
N/A |
| Historical Archives Marie-Claude Béland |
local 266 archivessp@providenceintl.org |
Online form |
| Emilie Gamelin Centre (Providence Museum) Lorena Otero |
local 217 LOtero@providenceintl.org |
Online form |
| Emilie Gamelin Centre (Office of the Cause) Sr. Yvette Demers, s.p. |
local 208 YDemers@providenceintl.org |
Online form |
Architecture of the International Centre
The reception hall of the International Centre provides a diffusion of light that engulfs the three stories and expresses our openness to life and to the world. This transparency harmonises with the solid pillars that symbolize the deep roots of our Congregation while supporting the glass structure, thus conferring grace and beauty on the overall design. Suspended in this prism of light is a bowl, made of curved wood, symbolizing warmth, hospitality, giving and sharing.
The themes of openness, light and life are continued in the landscaping that fronts the main entrance of the Centre’s reception hall. To the left of the entrance, a space for prayer and rest faces the statue of Saint Joseph. In the center of the space, a fountain stands as a source of refreshment and reflection. Everywhere in front of the entrance, the landscaping, flowers and bushes offer a beautiful view and are signs of a generous Providence. On the right side, a parking lot was laid out behind high trees. Throughout the process of renovation, emphasis was placed on using wood, stone and glass to integrate and harmonize the natural elements with the newer and older aspects of the building.
The stained glass of the entrance hall
This stained glass work of art reveals the rich history of the Congregation and projects us into the future, strenghthened by our heritage and enlivened by our Charism.
Guided by the inspiration of the Sisters, artists Jane and Kathryn Irwin succeeded in illustrating the strength of the feminine basing the entire design on an interweaving of curves, circles and waves. It depicts a fluid and flexible strength supported by the expertise and determination that rest on solid foundations, represented here by the metal framework.
With the fragility of the glass and the solid, impressive metallic structure, the stained glass art work of the International Centre is a strong symbol of our identity as an apostolic, international, multicultural and intergenerational Congregation, resolutely engaged in today’s world to take up the challenges of our time.
