Sisters of Providence annual Bake Sale Nov. 21

Stop, hey, what’s that smell
Everybody head for the big Bake Sale

OK, so that’s a lame attempt to rewrite the song “For What It’s Worth,” a 1967 hit for Buffalo Springfield.

Lameness aside, the Sisters of Providence big Bake Sale is coming Sunday, Nov. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Providence Center at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. If you want the best selection, you had better get there early.

The sisters have been cooking and baking up a storm, and that smell is an aroma of wonderful ingredients working their magic as they blend together.

Ahem, for what it’s worth, here is the "menu" for the bake sale (and there may be more):

Sister Martha Ann Rifner and Sister John Mary Rifner: bread and cakes (rum, zucchini, banana and apple)

Sister Marilyn Therese Lipps: pies, fudge (pecan and pumpkin)

Sister Mary Pat Peacock: date-nut swirl cookies, date-nut bread, oatmeal-raisin-walnut cookies

Sister Kathryn Koressel: pies and cake

Sister Elizabeth Meyer: cookies

Sister Ann Casper: breads, cookies

Sister Lucy Lechner: pumpkin pies, fudge, grape jelly, blackberry jelly

Sister Rose Marita Riordan: Irish soda bread

Sister Catherine Livers: cakes, chocolate and peanut butter truffles, peanut butter cookies, almond cookies

Sister Helen Dolores Losleben: caramels

Sister Joan Matthews: cookies and peanut butter truffles

Sister Ann Tran: apple cake, peanut butter cookies and truffles

Sister Marge Funke: peanut butter fudge

Sister Catherine Mayer: cranberry bread, pecan pie

Sister Rosemary Schmalz: banana bread, pumpkin bread, apple bread

Sister Lawrence Ann Liston: sugar-free pies

Sister Barbara Battista: brownies

For what it’s worth, you won’t be disappointed, especially if you come early to buy up the goodies, then stay for our excellent Sunday Brunch in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room.

And, for what it’s worth, we may even talk a sister or two into sharing a recipe, so keep watching!

Providence Candidate-Associates attend second orientation

Women and men came to the Woods from as far away as Texas to as close as Terre Haute, Ind., to participate in the second orientation for Providence Candidate-Associates on Saturday, Oct. 23. Ten candidates and their companions attended the day of introductions to one another and to the Providence Associate Relationship.

To view some images, like this one picturing Marilyn Kirschten (left) and Sister Carol Meyers, click here.

Boo! Did I scare you?

In 1974, a young reporter asked Sister Esther Newport (RIP) a series of questions about her experiences with the supernatural in old Foley Hall, home of the Faceless Nun apparition. Sister Esther indulged the reporter with several stories, including one that directly affected her. It seems Sister Esther was working in Foley Hall when she heard knocking from the cupboard behind her.

“‘When it happened the third time, I was just a little uneasy.’” This knocking was followed by scratching and scraping that seemed to be coming from a little passageway. “‘I was so scared I couldn’t move! At that moment something swished by the window, and I got out of there as fast as I could.’”

To read more hair-raising stories, click here.

Welcome, Providence Candidate-Associates!

2010-2011 Providence Candidate-Associates have begun their journey to become Providence Associates. Orientations for the candidates and their companions were held at the Woods Oct. 9 and Oct. 23. The orientations were facilitated by Sister Diane Mason, assistant director of Providence Associates. Assisting Sister Diane during the first orientation was Providence Associate Priscilla Hutton (pictured). Assisting during the second one were Providence Associate Marilyn Neuman and her husband, Chuck.

Images of the first orientation may be viewed here. Photos from the second orientation will be posted later this week.

2009-2010 Providence Candidate-Associates will make their first commitments as associates on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 1:30 p.m. (EST) in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The public is invited to attend.

Happy Foundation Day!

On Friday, Oct. 22, we celebrate Foundation Day. This is the day that Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her companions first set foot on soil at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Mother Theodore recorded in her journal about this significant event:

“We continued to advance into the thick woods till suddenly Father Buteux stopped the carriage and said, ‘Come down, Sisters, we have arrived.’ What was our astonishment to find ourselves still in the midst of the forest, no village, not even a house in sight. Our guide having given orders to the driver, led us down into a ravine, whence we beheld through the trees on the other side a frame house with a stable and some sheds. ‘There,’ he said, ‘is the house where the postulants have a room, and where you will lodge until your house is ready.’”

To celebrate this special day, the public is invited to attend a Foundation Day Eucharistic Liturgy in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 11 a.m. (EDT). Come early for during the prelude Schola members will be singing “Hark! On the Windswept Breton Shore.”

Happy Foundation Day!

Second group of Providence Candidate-Associates begin spiritual journey

Ten women and men will begin their journeys as Providence Candidate-Associates on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Eight other candidates started their process on Oct. 9 and three candidates in Taiwan will participate in an orientation at a later date.

The candidates will be joined by their companions for a day of introductions, prayer, conversation and Eucharistic Liturgy. Facilitating the day will be Sister Diane Mason, assistant director of Providence Associates.

To learn more about Providence Associates, click here.

Letter from a saint

Portions of a letter to Sister Gabriella of Fort Wayne, Ind.

(Sister Gabriella O’Neill was Mother Theodore’s first postulant of 1841. She was born in 1804 and died in 1875. The letter was dated Sept. 23, 1855.)

“It is with pleasure that I can satisfy your desire of receiving some lines from me. They may be the last, for my health is far from being good. I look better, as my face and left side are much swollen; but in reality, all my better is to feel a little stronger than I did. I am very grateful to Our Lord for this, for I can go to Mass, and after that I am more courageous to carry the cross that Our Lord has sent me in His mercy. Had He taken me sooner I do not think I would have loved Him so much; or at least I would not have appreciated enough the happiness of suffering for Him who has suffered so much for us. I do not think that I yet esteem enough that inestimable favor, but I may say that I do value it more than I did. I would not change my cross for any consolation that Our Lord might give me instead, though I must say that it is painful to be in the state in which I am. But, dear Sister, I must stop — I have already spoken too much about myself. You will excuse me, and you will continue to pray for your old Mother and to offer some of your good works for her particular necessities. I am happy to know that you have the prospect of a good school this year; thus to be afforded more means for doing the work of your holy vocation.” (“Journals and Letter,” p. 406)

For reflections about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, click here.

Visitors enjoy beautiful fall day

What's not to like about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, especially during autumn, right? Well, about 35 visitors spent part of a Saturday October afternoon here in an outing organized by Terre Haute Landmarks, Inc. You would guess that group is in to historical preservation, so, again, what better place to visit?

They started inside the Church of the Immaculate Conception, then visited the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and the Heritage Museum. They also were paid a visit from Saint Mother Theodore, a.k.a. Sister Jeannette Hagelskamp. The day was spectacular, so the group split for personal tours around the grounds on their own. Especially attractive were the St. Anne Shell Chapel and the alpacas, of course.

Marlene Lu, who helped organize the event for Terre Haute Landmarks, said the visitors were thrilled with their experience.

Letter from a saint

Portions of a letter to the Most Rev. J. Bouvier

(The Most Rev. J. Bouvier was the Bishop of Le Mans, France. This letter was dated April 20, 1854.)

“America is truly a wonderful country for ‘improvements,’ an English word which will soon be received into our language, if it has not been already. You will see from an oil painting which we intend sending you next summer, how much we have ‘improved’ Saint Mary’s where, fourteen years ago, we were received through charity into a small frame house, the picture of which you have. You perceive a great change already in the little sketch enclosed with this letter.

“The exterior changes are not, however, the most important ones. When you sent your six daughters to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, you thought they were going to lay the foundation of an establishment which, later on, would be of service to religion; but with the means you made use of — these persons, so poor in every respect, strangers to the country, the customs, and the language of the New World — you never expected to see the fruits of your zeal crowned with so much success. Today we are eighty persons in our Community, sixty-four, including twelve novices, wearing the religious habit, and sixteen postulants. There are nearly a thousand children in our schools, eighty-five boarders here at the Academy, thirty-seven of whom are Catholics.” (“Journals and Letter,” pp. 375-376)

To learn more about the Interim Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, click here.

Finding dedicated followers of the Gospel

“I have chosen to become a Providence Associate because I have found in this Journey of Providence a community of sincere and dedicated followers of the Gospel. Witnessing the Gospel being lived out in the lives of the Sisters of Providence encouraged me and it has made a profound impact on my life,” shares Catherine “Cathy” Keller, an associate from Newburgh, Ind.

Cathy (pictured standing, far right) was companioned by Sister Dorothy Rasche (seated, left). That relationship continues to deepen as Cathy meets Sister Dorothy once a month for spiritual direction.

To learn more about Cathy’s Journey in Providence, click here.

Queen of Mothers, Queen of Home - and Office and Classroom...

I learned the song ‘Our Lady of Providence’ during my first weeks at the Woods (SMWC). Sister Sue Pietrus taught it to us so we could lead the students in song during the first liturgy of the school year. It has stuck with me ever since. Several years later when I married my husband, Sister Sue also gave me a beautiful framed picture of Our Lady of Providence that now resides in our entry way, visible every time I come and go into our home.

I work in a small private, for-profit company. This definitely adds a filter to my perspective on Providence and how it guides and motivates my daily life. My days are filled with creative/design sessions, email/inbox mitigations, project management and office meetings. Throw in some class lectures, project assignments, car seat lugging, diaper changing, dinner preparation, and enriching discussions with my husband and you get a good idea of how a typical day might go.

Working in a secular environment, I am sure many would assume that spirituality has little to do with my day to day work. Regarding the subject matter of our work that is true, but I can’t check my faith at the door or leave my spirituality in the car when I enter the building. I could do that as easily as I could forget my husband and children throughout the day or ignore the child that jumped in my womb during a meeting when I was very pregnant.

As I gain more experience in my work, I realize how important my connection with Providence is with what I do. Perhaps it is an underlying guide – like a ‘Providence Gauge’ that helps to direct my reactions to co-workers and the work that I do. I have felt my most successful projects have been those that were guided by that internal gauge, via communication style and end goals. And almost ALL of our success is surrounded by effective communication and openness to creativity. My spirituality and faith guide me in how well I do at both tasks.

Now, that I have decided to go back to school, it seems that the more focused and positive I can remain in my day-to-day activities, the more successful I can be at actually continuing at this pace. Everything that I am doing is extremely important to me. My time with my husband and family are the most important things to me. They drive why I do other things. My work helps to provide the means to keep our family running. It also enriches my life experience and makes me more capable of raising my children. And, my new adventures into academia are already helping me to grow as an entire person.

There is an underlying spirit that stays with me - that makes me 'Beth' in each role that I am in during a given part of the day. I wouldn't be able to manage if I couldn't take a piece Our Lady's guidance and wisdom out into those different roles. Those roles are like different worlds at time, only connected by my single life thread. I know that the Queen of Mothers can watch over me and my family – not just in the home, but the office, the classroom, and everywhere we roam.

Tough to wrap your arms around this one

No matter what your personal "wing span" might be, it would be tough to wrap your arms around a tamarack tree near Corbe House at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. It was recently named an Indiana Big Tree State Champion. This is the first tree at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to be selected as a state champion.

The tamarack (larix laricina) stands at a height of 78 feet with a circumference of 102.50 inches and a crown spread of 12.62 feet. In comparison, the largest such tree on the National Registry of Big Trees is 71 feet high, 133 inches in circumferences and crown spread of 60 feet.

So, what better time of year to go tree-watching than autumn when nature gives us a style show of brilliant colors before winter shivers the tall timbers? Nature’s beauty, certainly, will be in full array at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods soon where more than 300 acres of certified natural forest land can be enjoyed.

In April, 1999, an Eastern Hemlock (tsuga canadensis) was named a Vigo County Big Tree Champion with measurements of 50.60 feet in height, 82.00 inches in circumference and 19.35 in crown spread. A tamarack tree also was selected as Vigo County Big Tree Champion in 1999 with a height of 46.50 feet, circumference of 97.50 inches and a crown spread of 26.50 feet.

One year later, another tree was named Vigo County Big Tree Champion. A Kentucky coffee tree (gymnocladus dioicus) was measured at 83.40 feet tall, 135.00 inches in circumference and crown spread of 18.90 feet.

About 70 different species of trees can be found at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, many of which are native to the region. The Indiana Big Tree program is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. Trees Inc. of Terre Haute presented the award.

(Photo provided by Janet Eger, district forester with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.)

Terre Haute Landmarks hosts historical tour Saturday, Oct. 9, at SMW

Terre Haute Landmarks Inc. and the Sisters of Providence will host the Second Saturdays program from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Visitors will begin their journey in the Church of the Immaculate Conception where Sister Jeanne Knoerle will talk to them about the church's history and architecture.

Sister Mary Roger Madden will speak to visitors at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, which also is architecturally and artistically unique.

Sister Donna Butler, a member of the Congregation's Archives staff, will greet visitors at the Heritage Museum to learn more about the historically important memorabilia that the Congregation has collected through the years.

Visitors also will be treated to a rare visit from Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and they will be able to tour the grounds. Light refreshments will be served. Guests will be invited to register for a drawing for two free Sunday Brunch tickets. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods was recently voted to have the best Sunday brunch offering in the Terre Haute area.

For more information or to RSVP for the visit to historic Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, contact Marlene Lu at 812-237-2824 or at marlene.lu@indstate.edu. Read more in our news release.

Indiana sisters visit Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

Representatives of women-religious communities based in Indiana visited Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Wednesday, Oct. 6, for their semiannual gathering. Congregations represented were Sisters of Saint Francis, Sisters of Saint Joseph of Tipton, Victory Noll Sisters, Sisters of Saint Benedict, Discalced Carmelite Nuns and the host Sisters of Providence. Shown here are, front row, Sisters Jean Alice McGoff, OCD; Denise Wilkinson, SP, and Juliann Babcock, OSB. Second row: Sisters Marsha Speth, SP; Bernice Stenger, OSF; Paula Damiano, SP; Christa Franzer, OSF; Sharon Kuhn, OSB; and Jane Marie Osterholt, SP. Third row: Sisters Miriam Kaeser, OSF; Nancy Reynolds, SP; Terese Boresig, OCD; and Theresa MacIntyre, CSJ. They met for prayer and conversation and spent time enjoying the grounds of the Sisters of Providence.

Providence Candidate-Associates to come for orientation

The first group of Providence Candidate-Associates for 2010-2011 will meet at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Saturday for orientation. Eight candidates and their companions will meet for a day of orientation to the Providence Associate Relationship. The day will include time for prayer, Eucharistic Liturgy and conversation.

The next orientation at the Woods will be Saturday, Oct. 23, for 10 candidates and their companions. An orientation for our three candidates in Taiwan will take place at a later date.

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

Letter from a saint

Portions of a letter to the Most Rev. J. Bouvier

(The Most Rev. J. Bouvier was the Bishop of Le Mans, France. This letter was dated Jan. 6, 1854.)

“Our boarding school here at Saint Mary’s is also well attended — seventy-eight pupils. But what most consoles us is the good that is being done here. Not only are there always several receiving instruction for Baptism, but there are many Catholics who are learning to know and serve God. The Catholics of this locality have for the past thirty years seen a priest only once a month, in passing, and some even only once a year. They are Christians, yet for the most part, very ignorant, scarcely knowing what is absolutely indispensable. Their daughters, brought up in our school where there is, I may say, a good spirit, return home like little apostles. They are listened to so much the more willingly because they are greatly loved. You would be consoled could you see the fervor and piety of these young girls. At the great feasts they prepare themselves for the reception of the sacraments by a retreat which they make with as much regularity as the Sisters do. This year we have over thirty Catholic boarders, which shows you the prosperity of the country. Ten or twelve years ago there were not ten Catholics in Indiana who could pay for the board and tuition of their daughters, even for six months; at present a large number are able to give then a good education.” (“Journals and Letter,” p. 363)

To view some historical sketches of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, click here.

Happy birthday, Saint Mother Theodore!

On Saturday, Oct. 2, we celebrate the birthday of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Mother Theodore entered this world on this date in 1798 in the village of Etables-sur-Mer in Brittany, France. Her parents gave her the name Anne-Thérèse.

October is indeed a celebration of the life and ministry of Saint Mother Theodore. On Sunday, Oct. 3, we celebrate her Feast Day. Everyone is invited to Eucharistic Liturgy in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 11 a.m. (EDT). After Mass, enjoy Sunday Brunch in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room. (You are also invited to a blessing of the installation of the Providence Pavers. This ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) near the fountain and Our Lady of Campus, just west of the church.)

On Oct. 22, 1840, Mother Theodore and her sister-companions arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. We celebrate this as our Foundation Day. Every Sister of Providence knows the famous words spoken by Father Buteux on this historic evening: “Come down, Sisters, we have arrived.”

To learn more about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, visit our website.

A gift from Vietnam

The vestment and prayer beads pictured at right are gifts to the Congregation from the Lovers of the Holy Cross in Vietnam. They were presented to the Congregation by Sister Ann Vang Tran, a member of the Vietnamese congregation.

Sister Ann is living with the Sisters of Providence in Owens Hall as she attends Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She is working on her master’s degree in pastoral theology. Sister Ann has studied in the United States for five years and came to the Woods in June. In August she returned to Vietnam for several weeks to renew her visa and to be present for her sister’s final vows in another religious congregation. She brought the vestment and the prayer beads with her when she returned to the Woods in September.

Father Daniel Hopcus will wear the vestment this Sunday, Oct. 3, the Feast Day of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Mass begins at 11 a.m. (EDT) All are welcome to attend.