HOPE arrives!

For centuries, people have been making pilgrimages to sacred places throughout the world. For many people that sacred place is Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, where a saint once walked. The latest issue of HOPE addresses the need to relocate the shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin from the Church of the Immaculate Conception to a permanent place beneath the existing Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

As Sister Ann Casper writes in her article, Why relocate the shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin?, “ … in its current location in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, it [the shrine] is not exactly tucked away in the left alcove of the church. The huge banner of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, which hung in St. Peter’s Square, demands one’s immediate attention and detracts from worship. The celebration of daily and Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy, rather than having pride of place in the church, is somewhat dwarfed by the presence of Mother Theodore’s banner and coffin — these take center stage rather than the Eucharist, probably not something our humble foundress would delight in!”

Inside this issue you’ll read about the power of this sacred place and why one 20-something loves “Mama T.” You’ll also learn just how many times Mother Theodore’s weary bones have been moved! And, of course, you can catch up on alumnae/i news, newsnotes, photos, upcoming events, plus a whole lot more!

If you would like to make a donation to the permanent shrine, visit our website. To view HOPE online, click here.

Arequipa, Peru, focus of new Heritage Museum exhibit

This piece of art, The Last Supper, is just one of the many artifacts and documents on display
in the new Heritage Museum exhibit in Providence Center.

In 1963, the Sisters of Providence responded to a request by Pope John XXIII to send religious to missions in Latin America. In March of that year, three Sisters of Providence left the Woods for Arequipa, Peru, where they ministered at the all-boys Colegio de San José.

A new exhibit in the Heritage Museum in Providence Center examines the Congregation’s service in Peru. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Recently, Sister Florence Norton, who ministered in Arequipa, sat down with Christina Blust, a staff member in the Office of Congregational Advancement and shared some of her memories about this exciting ministry for the winter 2012 issue of HOPE:

“One of these sister-missionaries was Sister Florence Norton (formerly Sister Thomas Ann). As a child, Sister Florence was taught in Sisters of Providence schools and grew up reading vibrant stories in the SP missionary publication ‘The Bugle Call.’ When, years later, Sister Florence herself landed to minister in a foreign land, she found herself surrounded by new animals (alpacas and vicuñas), a new climate (‘It was sunny every day!’), and people with big hearts, big hugs, and nothing but love for their Hermana (Sister),” wrote Christina in her article, “A beautiful time.”

The Heritage Museum is located in Providence Center and is open during the center's normal hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EDT), and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT).

Archives: keeper of the stories

Have you ever thought of Archives as being a ministry? Perhaps not, but according to Sister Marianne Mader, Archives researcher, it is. “[Archives] is a way of connecting with other people,” she notes in the summer 2012 issue of HOPE, now available online.

The Sisters of Providence are blessed with an awesome Archives. Truly, this department was created when Saint Mother Theodore Guerin put pen to paper and wrote her journals as well as thousands of letters to her sisters in France, sisters here in the United States and countless friends and donors.

This issue of HOPE is dedicated to the keeper of the stories — the many women who have dedicated their lives to preserving the history of the Sisters of Providence. In this issue you’ll learn about the ways in which Archives collaborates with various entities across the state of Indiana. You’ll also learn about the work Sister Maureen Abbott is doing in writing the fourth volume of the Congregation’s history. Additionally, you’ll learn a little more about the story behind the “CNN Presents” program on the canonization of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

As always, you’ll find the usual articles — her-story, photo albums, newsnotes, alumnae/i news, obituaries and upcoming events. Check it out now!

Is there a future for religious life?

One of the most frequently asked questions our sisters receive is “How many young women are entering the Congregation?” Fortunately, we have several women in different stages of initial formation, and we welcomed a new postulant into the Congregation just yesterday.

The members of the 2011-2016 General Council sat down for an extended interview with Rosie Blankenship, a member of the HOPE editorial board, and answered several questions related to the future of religious life. Not surprisingly, our general officers are very positive about the future.

“I think we are headed once again for transforming ourselves, for remaking ourselves. I would use the word urgency for it. I feel like we understand the urgency of the times — not driven by our age or our lacks or anything else — but that the times call for urgent Gospel responses. I want to go back to a really old-fashioned word: sacrificial. There was a sense of whatever it costs — whatever it takes — we are going to do it and we are going to do it together,” said General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson in the article, “The future of religious life,” in the winter 2012 issue of HOPE.

Sister Ann Casper, in her article, “Religious life: a future full of hope,” shares an insight from Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM, “Regarding numbers, Sister Sandra gives an interesting perspective. True, she says, the number of religious is not what it was in the boom-years of the 1950s. Still there are nearly 60,000 women religious in the United States today, about 10,000 more than there were at any point between 1720 and 1900, a time comparable to our own, when fewer religious women, ‘in small, widely dispersed groups did whatever needed to be done, for whomever needed it and with whoever wanted to help them.’”

In the newest issue of HOPE you will learn more about why we are so positive about our future from not only the sisters’ perspective, but also the perspective of some of our partners — a volunteer, a Providence Associate and interns at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. You’ll also find the usual items of interest — alumnae/i news, photo albums, obituaries, partners in our mission, newsnotes and upcoming events.

The winter 2012 issue of HOPE will soon be arriving in your mailbox. It is also available online right now!

Providing HOPE to patients and caregivers

“It’s here at A Caring Place that I see the face of God on every face. I experience God’s presence in the laughter of our participants, in their courage in the face of adversity, in their spirited singing of the spirituals and in the sharing of their life stories. I have learned so much from our participants. I have also been privileged to work with a wonderful, caring team of persons,” said Sister Susan Dinnin, program director of A Caring Place, in the latest issue of HOPE.

Sister Susan’s adult day services ministry is just one of the articles that addresses the spirituality of health care. In this issue you’ll meet Sister Betty Hopf, chaplain at the Hux Cancer Center in Terre Haute, Ind. You’ll also be introduced to Sister Mary Jo Piccione who says that nursing and chaplaincy have been a blessing and a gift to her.

Of course, in this issue you will find the usual items of interest — alumnae news, obituaries, partners in our mission, the photo album, upcoming events and much, much more!

What’s new in HOPE

“When I did my dissertation, we had to type it on a typewriter. You remember typewriters?”

“The children see that the sisters here [at Woods Day Care/Pre-School] are truly interested in them and love them.”

“We don’t give up on them [at Providence Cristo Rey High School]. If you create a culture that says it is OK to be successful, then the students learn how to do it.”

“The young girls and boys that I teach [at Guerin College Preparatory High School] are among the fortunate because their parents have as a priority the value of a Catholic education.”

By reading the summer 2011 issue of HOPE, you’ll discover who made the above statements as well as learn how the Congregation has valued education throughout the years. You’ll be introduced to two new faces at Providence Center: Sister Jan Craven and Andrew Conner. You’ll learn about the Congregation’s participation in the Vigo County Indiana Civil War Sesquicentennial Project. And, of course, you’ll find the usual departments: alumnae/i news, newsnotes, photo album and obituaries.

Enjoy!

Not just another construction project

“I think all the contractors got along really well. If we have a problem we put our heads together to figure out where everybody needs to be and what needs to be done. I think that’s gone well. I think profanity was way down for a construction site,” joked Carl Dougherty, referring to the renovation of Providence Hall.

Carl is the mechanical general foreman with Sycamore Engineering.

Carl joins Mark Ross, Garmong Construction job site supervisor, in sharing their thoughts about working on such an historic structure owned by a congregation of women religious.

“It’s a neat old building. The customer just makes it a little more special,” said Mark.

To read the entire issue, click here. This article is reprinted from the winter 2011 issue of HOPE.

Providence Hall: a grand structure

Did you know that Providence Hall:

• was built after a horrific fire on Feb. 7, 1889, burned down the convent built by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin?

• has been “green” long before being green was a buzzword?

• was brightened “by six hundred lights … a most imposing scene?”

• was blessed on Sept. 8, 1890, by the Most Rev. Francis Silas Chatard?

To learn more about this grand structure, click here. This article is reprinted from the winter 2011 issue of HOPE.

Look for HOPE!

“I would say a great big THANK YOU in capital letters. Tell them to come and see, so we can give them a grand tour!” says Sister Louise Schroeder to the many donors who are making the renovation of her home, Providence Hall, a reality. This interview appears in the new winter 2011 issue of HOPE.

Inside this issue you’ll discover the connection between Providence Hall and the convent Saint Mother Theodore Guerin built in 1853. You’ll also learn about the chapel in Providence Hall that provides the sisters with a place to pray, meditate and gather for communal worship.

This issue will introduce you to Mark Ross and Carl Dougherty, two of the many construction workers who have used their skills and talents to renovate this grand structure. You’ll learn that “profanity was way down” at this particular construction site!

In this issue, you’ll meet Providence Associate Mary Ellen Fox of Tulsa, Okla. You’ll discover why this generous donor gives to the Congregation. As with all issues, you’ll also find alumnae/i information, newsnotes, obituaries and a calendar of upcoming events.

Yes, this winter issue of HOPE will soon be in your mailbox. But if you can’t wait, then check out our magazine online by clicking here.

Look for HOPE in your mailbox!

Can a mother and grandmother be a Sister of Providence? What is the discernment process like for a woman who is considering religious life? What is the key to vocations? How can you encourage religious vocations?

The answer to these questions can be found in the newest issue of HOPE. Yes, the fall 2010 issue should be arriving at your homes very soon!

Also in this issue, meet Rosemary “Dee” Coyne of Naples, Fla., a generous partner in our mission. Learn how Jeannie Smith of Solana Beach, Calif., became a Providence Associate. And you’ll find the usual photo album, calendar of events and obituaries.

To view the fall 2010 issue of HOPE, click here.

HOPE arrives soon!

The summer 2010 issue of HOPE will be arriving in mailboxes very soon! You’ll certainly recognize this issue with its colorful cover of several Woods Day Care/Pre-School children. This issue discusses how classrooms have evolved over the years from a room with desks, chairs and chalkboard to an organic garden or a digital classroom.

Also in this issue, you’ll meet several Sisters of Providence who have very unique classroom settings. You’ll also meet Heather Ennis, a home-schooled high school senior, who volunteers at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. And you will discover that Educational/Family Services or the “House on 150” is a place where “students surpass their own expectations.”

Of course, you’ll find the usual photo album, newsnotes, calendar of events and obituaries as well as many other engaging articles!

To view the summer 2010 issue of HOPE online, click 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.

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.