Picture of the Week: January 29

Retired Lieutenant General Martin R. Berndt lays a memorial wreath at the grave of Sister Catherine Hartman (RIP), a previous Lieutenant in the Women's Reserve, U.S. Marine Corps, during World War II.

Berndt was internationally highlighted in 1995 when he was part of a rescue mission to save downed pilot Scott O'Grady in Bosnia. He was in town to celebrate Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC)'s designation as a Military Friendly College, allowing veterans to attend SMWC tuition-free in accordance with the G.I. Bill. SMWC will partner with the Sisters of Providence to offer the Sister Catherine Hartman Spiritual Companion program, which will offer optional spiritual guidance to any such veteran who wishes to partake.

See more photos of the January 29 memorial wreath laying ceremony.

Come for a visit

Thousands have come to visit Saint Mary-of-the-Woods! Since the 2006 canonization of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, more than 4,000 people from 48 states and 43 different countries have signed our guest registry.

If you’re looking for a peaceful environment and a place to spend a few reflective hours, consider coming to see what we have to offer. Meditate while walking the outdoor labyrinth, visit the outdoor sites marking historic spots, the National Shrines of Our Lady of Providence and Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, browse through the Gift Shop at Providence Center, enjoy the peace that watching the herd of alpacas generates, and much more.

A look back at vocations in 1964

The leaflet at right was used by the Congregation for vocations efforts in 1964. This treasure from our Archives is just one of many past printed items that are featured in our special “Our past in print” section.

To see the vocations leaflet, click here.

Jenny Nowalk finds a spiritual home

Providence Associate Jenny Nowalk of Culver, Ind., has found a spiritual home with the Sisters of Providence.

“I like to think that Saint Mother Theodore was walking by me at a time in my life when I was searching for a way back home. She put our her left hand as she walked by and said, ‘You're coming with me.’ My life has not been the same since that day,” shares Jenny.

To learn more about Jenny and her spiritual walk, click here.

Meet Sister Sue and Lorraine!

Providence Candidate-Associate Lorraine Kirker and her Providence Associate Companion Sister Sue Paweski are separated by more than 2,000 miles, but they make their Providence Associate Relationship work through technology and visits.

To learn more about the Providence Associate Relationship, click here.

12 years of prayer – 53,197 recipients!

The Remembrance Card Program provides an opportunity for individuals in need of prayer to be enrolled into the Blessed Sacrament Association. The names of these individuals are placed in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, where Sisters of Providence pray for them daily. Since the inception of the program in 1997, more than 53,000 individuals have been enrolled.

Enrollees can be living or deceased; celebrating an anniversary or the birth of a child; needing prayer for healing or prayer for courage. Click here to learn how you can use the Remembrance Card Program to give the promise of prayer to those whom you love.

Picture of the Week: January 22

Sisters with January birthdays gather for a celebration in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to share stories, pie and laughter.

Providence Associates: looking back at 2009

Another year of the Providence Associate Relationship has come and gone. Retreats, orientations, social gatherings and commitment ceremonies have been held. Thanks to the leadership and dedication of Sister Mary Alice Zander and Sister Diane Mason, Providence Associates, Candidate-Associates and Companions enjoyed a great 2009.

View a video of the year below:

Advisory board welcomes Sister Kay Manley

The Providence Associates Advisory Board welcomes Sister Kay Manley as its newest member. Sister Kay is completing the term of Sister Ellen Cunningham, who resigned last fall. Sister Kay teaches theology at Guerin College Preparatory High School in River Grove, Ill.

Sister Kay is no stranger to the Providence Associate Relationship. She has served as a companion to Providence Associate Marilyn Neuman. Sister Kay says she is excited to become even more involved.

To learn more about Sister Kay, click here.

Picture of the Week: January 15

Candace Minster, environmental education coordinator at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, speaks with area cafeteria managers and workers at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Terre Haute, Ind. The talk focused on organic food options and food-to-school programs. To learn more about educational opportunities, visit White Violet Center's Web site.

Meet Sister Editha Ben!

The Providence Associate Relationship is very blessed to have Sister Editha Ben serve as a companion to four candidates in Taiwan. Sister Editha ministers at Providence University in Shalu, Taichung County, Taiwan.

Sister Editha writes, “Our mission, spirit and spirituality are so precious that they just have to be shared with others. And the best way I can do this is through the Providence Associate Relationship.”

Read more about Sister Editha here.

Sharing our history

The Sisters of Providence Archives is one of several founding members of the Wabash Valley Visions & Voices (WV3) project. This digital memory project for West Central Indiana preserves this region’s history and heritage, including the history of the Sisters of Providence.

The Congregation proudly shares many of its artifacts from Archives including personal effects of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. On this site, you will also enjoy many old photos, past publications of the Congregation and many other items.

Check out our collection by clicking here.

Join the conversation!

The winter 2010 issue of HOPE has been mailed and is also available online. This issue provides insight into spiritual direction and how one might find a spiritual director.

In the article, “The sacrament of doubt,” Brother Barry Donaghue, cfc, shares about the role of doubt in one’s journey of faith. You are invited to join the conversation and share how doubt has played a role in your faith development by clicking here.

A look back at 2009

What happened in the Congregation in 2009? Well, many things! Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the Congregation were honored with awards, the first-ever Saint Mother Theodore Guerin FEST was held and a brand new Web site was launched. The year also included many events that were shared with our friends, family and neighbors such as our Youth Art Contest, Earth Day and Family Day.

See the video below for a look at 2009!

Picture of the Week: January 8

From left, Sister Patty Fillenwarth, Sister Dorothy Gartland, and Sister Joseph Fillenwarth, along with three volunteers, staff a rummage sale at Providence Family Services in the West Humboldt Park community of Chicago. Providence Family Services is part of Guerin Outreach Ministries, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence. Learn more about Guerin Outreach Ministries.

Meet Providence Associate Connie Schnapf

Providence Associate Connie Schnapf of Newburgh, Ind., is a director of religious education and a spiritual director. What exactly is a spiritual director? The latest issue of HOPE, which was mailed this week, addresses this question.

In this Web article, Connie answers a few questions about spiritual direction, something she likes to call “a gift that you give to yourself.” Click here for her article.