The providence association of ukrainian catholics in america is the only ukrainian catholic fraternal benefit society in the united states. It provides life insurance protection and social, economic and spiritual benefits to its members. It has four primary objectives: to sustain and spread the religious spirit of the ukrainian catholic church; to assist its members in case of sickness and to support worthy religious and civic causes; to strengthen the faith of ukrainian catholics by publishing newspapers, periodicals and books; and to instruct ukrainians in the history, culture and government of the united states in order to make them good and loyal citizens, conscious of their rights, duties, obligations and privileges. Currently, there are 243 branches of the providence association throughout the united states. The association has approximately 12,000 members.