Picture of the Week: October 30

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is visible through fall leaves on a rare sunny day this week at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Providence Candidate-Associates begin their journey

Twenty-six Providence Candidate-Associates began their journey with the Congregation during orientations held at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Oct. 10 and 24. Click here for some images from the first orientation and here for photos of the second one.

Picture of the Week: October 23

Josh Videen and Brett Getchel, members of the FFA group from Osceola High School, Osceola, Wisc., meet the alpacas during a visit to White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. The group was in town because of the FFA Convention held in Indianapolis this week. See more pictures in the Sisters of Providence Photo Gallery.

Foundation Day

"I cannot tell you what passed within me during the next half hour. I do not know myself, but I was so deeply moved that I could not utter a word. We continued to advance into the thick woods till suddenly Father Buteux stopped the carriage and said, 'Come down, Sisters, we have arrived.'" — from the Journals and Letters of Mother Theodore Guerin, Oct. 22, 1840

Every time I read these words, it gives me chills. How many generations of people — knowing the story of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin or not — have remarked upon entering Saint Mary-of-the-Woods about "something special" they felt? Every time I read this I am reminded that Mother Theodore had the same experience, many years ago, in uncharted territory.

The Sisters of Providence will celebrate the anniversary of their foundation with a special Eucharistic Liturgy in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. The public is invited to attend. You can read more in our news releases.

Service and volunteerism on television

Today is the beginning of a week of story lines about the power of community service on television shows across all of the major television networks. Called iParticipate and sponsored by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, it's an event that "hopes to make service a part of who we are as Americans and show what we can achieve when we all pull together," according to their site.

As an organization whose members devote their life to service "among all of God's people" and others involved in the work of the Congregation - from Providence Volunteer Ministers to Providence Associates to volunteers with the Sisters of Providence Volunteer Services - I am sure many will be interested to see how television shows during this week portray service.

And to all of these people during this week of service, a message from the words of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin: "We would love to tell you again that every day we include you all in our labors and prayers."

Read more about iParticipate on the Providence Volunteer Ministry blog.

Former PVM and current staff member to release CD

If you are in the Terre Haute area Saturday (Oct. 17), stop by the CD release party for Christina Blust at 8 p.m. at Ivy Tech's Oakley Auditorium.

Christina was a 2006-07 Providence Volunteer Minister. She has been a designer in the Sisters of Providence Office of Congregational Advancement since 2007 (and a poster on this blog for exactly two weeks).

Christina is a talented singer-songwriter. The public can take "note" of her skills during a performance Saturday — solo and with her band Yearbook Committee 73.

You can find a sampling of Christina's music, as well as her new CD "Sudden Amaryllis" on her Web site at http://www.christinablust.com/.

Only a few days until Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Fest

On Oct. 23-25, we are offering a very special weekend to help you "Live with purpose — energize your faith!"

The first Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Fest begins next Friday with a candlelight procession filled with song and prayer, followed by a bonfire and sing-along. (See the full schedule here.)

Saturday begins with the morning prayer option of your choice: Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, tai chi, drumming circle, Liturgy of the Hours or a Labyrinth walk. Throughout the day, choose from many different speakers on sustainability, Mother Theodore's journey, the labyrinth, vocations, service opportunities and so much more. Then, enjoy keynote presentations by people who will inspire you to "Live with purpose — energize your life." End the evening with a special concert by contemporary Christian artist Nick Cardilino.

Go forth on Sunday after you enjoy the General Assembly presentation by General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson and followed by Eucharistic Liturgy with the Sisters of Providence.

Come and enjoy the entire weekend with your family or just come for your choice of events. Registration is $25 per person or $100 for a families of four or more. Advance registration is encouraged, but on-site registration begins at 3 p.m. Friday.

Download the brochure here.

Download the registration form here.

Join us for this exciting event!

Living with Christ

Living with Christ magazine features our foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, in the October issue as the "Guide for the Journey" feature. October is a special month for the Sisters of Providence. Oct. 3 is Saint Mother Theodore Guerin's Feast Day and she was canonized on Oct. 15, 2006. Also, Mother Theodore first stepped foot at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Oct. 22, 1840, in what is celebrated as the Congregation's Foundation Day.

You can read the article on the Living with Christ Web site.

Signs of life in the desert

From Providence in the Desert — During the past few weeks, as we have been driving down to class, we have noticed some plowed fields, little shoots pushing up and even small groups of people beginning to care for them. Most of our students will not be employed before November, but we definitely see light at the end of a long, hot tunnel. This week we actually have had double-digit temperatures (you have to live here to appreciate it) and the nights are cold.

We began ESL classes early in September. This year we have three contracted teachers besides us three sisters. Each of these is teaching one evening class. We are especially pleased that one of these is a student of Sister Carol's; Martha teaches the beginning class at Duro’s in the same room with Sisters Loretta and Concetta. Loretta is observing her (Loretta is the director of teachers) and reports that Martha is doing an excellent job. The other two teachers work in the local school system. Sal teaches in Salton City and Gretchen at Coachella Valley High School. They are both lovely to work with and happy to be giving service.

The sisters continue to be well occupied. Besides the class at Duro’s, Loretta is teaching in Salton City (quite a trek) on Avenue 66 and at Sunbird Park on Avenue 65. Concetta teaches on Avenue 76 as well as at Duro’s. Also this year, in response to their request, she is instructing two priests at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Indio. Carol continues her class on Avenue 70. Her five third-grade classes at Oasis School in rural Thermal are putting the fine touches on Take Me Out to the Ball Game and over at Saul Martinez School in Mecca 12 violinists and six guitarists are learning to hold their instruments.

Because of a wonderful donation from Ted Foley, an area friend, we are almost ready to launch our Rosetta Stone project, complete with new laptops. Gretchen is familiar with the program, so her class will use most of the computers. We also recently received a “grand grant” (truly, it is!) from the Conrad Hilton Fund for Sisters. This grant will greatly assist us in paying our teachers.
We count on your prayers at all times! Know that you are in ours, also, at all times. A fine arrangement!

Blessings and love from everyone at Providence in the Desert.

We welcome our new Providence Candidate-Associates

On Saturday, Oct. 10, our first group of 2009-2010 Providence Candidate-Associates met for an orientation at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. A special visit from “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin” and a blessing during Mass were included in the day. Click here to see some photos from the day.

Picture of the Week: October 9, 2009

Sister Jody O'Neil (at right in pink shirt) shows her work and techniques with a local Lifelong Learning group at the Roethele Studio at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. Sister Jody is the Sisters of Providence Artist in Residence. Learn more about her work at her Web site.

YouTube, I tube, we all tube

The Sisters of Providence have launched a YouTube channel to share video from ministries and the commercials we air. If you have a YouTube account, we would love it if you would subscribe to our channel and leave comments there.

Launching this channel also gives us the added benefit of having free hosting for videos we wish to embed on our site. You can see some of those videos around the site today in these areas:

• White Violet Center for Eco-Justice - Harvesting Honey
• Volunteer Services - Current opportunities
• Volunteer Services - Why volunteer?
• The Gift Shop at Providence Center

We hope you enjoy yet another way the Sisters of Providence are trying to share their mission with the world.

Susan Weber: a spiritual life in progress

Providence Associate Susan “Sue” Weber knows her spiritual life is a work in progress. But with the help of her companion, Sister Carole Kimes, and the writings of Saint Mother Theodore, Sue can readily see how Providence has worked in her life. Click here to learn more about Sue.

Catholic sisters shaped this country

The United States House of Representatives recently honored the "social, cultural and political contributions of Catholic sisters" in House Resolution 441. (See our news release.)

This honor was no doubt influenced by the traveling museum exhibit "Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America."

A few months ago, our entire office and a handful of others packed on a bus and rode to the Cincinnati Museum Center to see the exhibit. Of course, we felt a special tug to see the exhibit - some of our co-workers were responsible for submitting materials to the exhibit and we knew Saint Mother Theodore Guerin would be featured.

Although I would have liked to have seen more about the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., (would it have been too much to ask for a floor-to-ceiling statue of Mother Theodore?), the exhibit was fantastic. It brought back a lot of memories and enriched my appreciation for my Catholic education. It was interesting to compare the history I know about the Sisters of Providence with the history of Catholic sisters across the U.S. In nearly every element covered in the exhibit, I could think of Sisters of Providence who had been involved in a similar endeavor — whether it was education, health care, social services, justice, civil rights work, nursing care during the Civil War, the rights of women, artistic work and so much more.

The exhibit, though, seemed to take care not to glorify the lives of Catholic sisters, exploring difficult subjects such as classism and racism within congregations, including the ownership of slaves.

The exhibit is well worth your time. It is currently at the Women's Museum in Dallas until Dec. 13, then it will travel to Washington, D.C., Liberty Island, N.Y., and Dubuque, Iowa. (The schedule is here.)

Tiny Tim had big presence at the Woods

It's amazing what one photo from Archives can put into action. Archives staff member Sister Stacy Pierce shared one photo of a staff member named Tiny Tim and people started talking. For more than 40 years, Andrew "Tiny Tim" O'Dwyer was the face of security at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Click here to read more about his story.

New statue of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin with children dedicated

All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Ill., commissioned a statue from Providence Associate Teresa Clark, who is also the artist of the official Saint Mother Theodore Guerin statue recently installed at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. (A really beautiful miniature version of the official statue is available through the Gift Shop at Providence Center.)

The All Saints Cemetery statue features Saint Mother Theodore with two young girls and one of my favorite quotes from her. She wrote this bit of advice to her sisters on mission, "Love the children first, then teach them."

You can see more pictures of the dedication in Des Plaines by clicking here.

Introducing the Sisters of Providence YouTube channel

We have a YouTube channel now! So far we have one video up (the Honey Harvesting one I've embedded below) but stay tuned for more.