Women’s History Month: France disappears over the horizon

“The Eighth American Saint” describes the feelings of Saint Mother Theodore as her ship leaves France:

“At last, on July 27, the hour they had both hoped for and dreaded arrived. The sails extended, one after the other, as the wind swelled them. The land grew dim to the little group at the rail, until first Port Francis disappeared, and then the last bit of land faded.

“Sister Theodore, learning against the cordage, watched the shore of her country flying away from her until it was only a line on the far horizon. She stood there thinking of all she was leaving — her convent home, her sisters, Soulaines, her own sister Marie. Then she turned and saw her sisters in tears, for their thoughts were like her own. She forgot her own grief in comforting them. (page 57)

To learn more about Saint Mother Theodore, click here.

‘Falling into the arms of Providence’

Jenny Nowalk of Culver, Ind., became a Providence Associate two years ago. As she went through her candidacy process she shared her journey with her husband, Bob. Bob became intrigued and also desired a fuller understanding of Providence spirituality.

“As [Jenny] began her year of discernment, I was beginning my last year in active ministry as the Catholic liaison to the 270+ Catholic students of the Culver Academies. I had held this position for 12 years and had acted as catechist, ministry trainer and sacristan. Prayer had led me to discern that God would allow me to lay fallow for a year before giving me an inkling of what would come next,” said Bob.

“As Jenny began her year as a Providence Associate, I became Bob in the pew, one of the many who gather each week to fill the church with the collective yearning for the transcendent presence of Christ. In many respects Jenny’s journey was in my awareness as my prayer for her focused on what she was doing. I read some of the materials, the Litany of Non-Violence and ‘A Woman for All Time’ and, within a year, I found myself yearning to join her free-fall into the arms of Providence,” shared Bob.

To learn more about Bog and his “free-fall” into Providence, click here. To learn more about Providence Associates, visit here.

Women’s History Month: China or Russia? Yes. New World? No.

“The Eighth American Saint” describes some of the feelings Mother Theodore had about leaving her beloved France for the New World:

“Sister Theodore, on a short trip to Soulaines to settle certain matters there, went to say goodbye to the doctor who had given her medical training when she first came there. He was very troubled to hear she was going so far away. ‘It is like hearing that a friend has been condemned to death,’ he said. ‘And you are far from well, Sister. Think of the hardships of the journey and then of the rough life in that wild country.’

“‘Well, I had never thought of going to America myself,’ said Sister Theodore, ‘and I am still surprised to know that I am actually going. I did want to work for souls in other lands, but I always thought of going to China or Russia — and instead it is to be the New World.’

“Later, when she wrote to say goodbye to her sister Marie, she had to repeat these words, for Marie had wept at the thought of her sister going away — ‘so far and to such a wild place.’

“‘I am certain it is the will of God for me to go there,’ Sister Theodore told Marie, but the latter remained unconvinced. ‘You will be unhappy so far from home, and in a place where the language is different and the customs too,’ Marie answered.

“‘I know, I know all that. I am even now torn between a desire to get to work there very soon and the knowledge that my heart will all but break when I leave. I do love you all and Ruillé and Soulaines and all my beloved France. But I am sure it is God’s will for me, Marie — of that I am certain.’” (pages 51-52)

To learn more about Saint Mother Theodore, click here.

Jennie Bear: becoming a friend to the Congregation

“I first met three Sisters of Providence in 1994 when they delivered a grant proposal to my office at the Indiana Department of Education. Sisters Barbara Ann Zeller, Joanne Cullins, and Eugene Francis Keaveney were happy and upbeat. Their proposal was selected for funding, and I worked with them for the next 10 years, receiving reports, approving expenses, and evaluating their adult education program. …

“One day when I was at the Woods to evaluate the adult education program, these … women and I went to lunch. … I was in awe of this group of women who do what they love and love what they do, who live their faith through action every day of their lives. In time, I felt more a friend to them than a funding source,” says Jennie Bear, a Providence Candidate-Associate from Reno, Nev.

Jennie, who is being companioned by Providence Associate Linda McMahon of San Clemente, Calif., is about half way through her year of candidacy. In a recent interview, Jennie shares a little about her own story and why she wants to become a Providence Associate. Click here to learn more.

Want to become a Providence Associate? Here’s how

As the Lenten season and spring approach, what better time to ponder becoming a Providence Associate? The application process for 2011-2012 Providence Candidate-Associates is now open until June 30.

Do you have a yearning to deepen your spiritual journey? Do you want a deeper and richer relationship with the Sisters of Providence? Do you wish to know more about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin? Then you might want to think about becoming a Providence Associate.

To find out how to apply to become a Providence Associate, click here.

Women’s History Month: God chooses the humble

Like any human, Saint Mother Theodore had her doubts about her upcoming mission to the New World. “The Eighth American Saint” describes her feelings:

“What chiefly troubled her [Saint Mother Theodore] about this new mission was that its success or failure would depend on her. She was already forty-one years old, perhaps too old for pioneering; she had never been in really good health since she was a postulant. On the other hand, there were no ties of family to hold her. Her mother had died the year before; her sister Marie was happily married.

“More than once during those last months at Soulaines, Sister Theodore’s courage failed her. She was tempted to tell Mother Mary [Lecor, image on this page] that she could not go, but she was held back by the fact that on her depended the establishment of the mission. The group could not go if she withdrew. She had all but completely made up her mind to accept when she learned she would be given the title of superior general for the new group and any other houses set up in the United States ‘until such time as the bishop of Le Mans and the bishop of Vincennes shall otherwise jointly decide.’ Again her courage failed her.

“This time she decided to write to the bishop of Le Mans for advice. He answered reassuringly that our Lord did not choose the powerful of earth for His apostles, but humble working people: ‘Let us then consider ourselves nothing, but let us be ready for anything. Since you have been chosen, think of nothing but preparing yourself in the best manner you are able; bring to it a good will and rely constantly on help from above.’” (page 48)

To learn more about Saint Mother Theodore, click here.

Women’s History Month: Thank goodness she said no!

Prior to her entrance into the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé, France, Anne-Thérèse Guerin (aka Saint Mother Theodore) did have a few suitors. “The Eighth American Saint” describes an encounter between Anne-Thérèse and one young man:

“‘I feel I must do something for God,’ she said falteringly, ‘and for souls. It is the only way I can help.’

“‘What can woman do to help?’ he asked with an amused smile. ‘Anyway, leave it to others — and marry me.’

“To this first question she had no answer ready; his offer of marriage she refused. But after he had gone, she began to wonder if perhaps she had been too bold in thinking she could really do something for God. She felt vaguely distressed, but she began to draw from her store of names of women who had done things for God, and this made her feel better. First of all there was Our Lady, greatly daring, greatly obedient. There was Judith, who had freed her people, and Esther who had delivered hers by her bravery and wit. There was Catherine of Siena, unafraid of the brilliant men who opposed her; Clare holding up the monstrance before the Saracens at Assisi; the great Teresa, tramping through Spain on her errands for God; Margaret Mary who worked for God in her quiet cloister.

“Anne-Thérèse would never be among those great names; that she knew, but she felt in her heart that there was a work ahead of her that would advance the kingdom of God — a small work, but nevertheless hers. What it was or where it would take her she did not know. But she was definitely certain that it was in the religious life that her own work must be carried out.” (page 33)

To purchase “The Eighth American Saint,” click here.

General Superior summons foundress to support new SMWC president

Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, offered the following comments during the announcement of a new president for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Dr. Dottie King. Dr. King had served as interim president for about eight months.

Sister Denise's comments:

"The General Council of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods unanimously approved the Board of Trustees' recommendation to appoint Dr. Dottie King as the next president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Dr. King has consistently demonstrated professional excellence in her various roles at the College - faculty member, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the interim President of the Woods.

As important and influential as her competency is, we Sisters of Providence find in her two other qualities essential to the president of this College - first, a deep, authentic and lived faith in God that shapes who Dr. King is and how she relates to others; secondly, a seemingly intuitive and deeply real understanding of the Providence God and of the life and legacy of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Mother Theodore founded the College and has left her indelible mark upon it and all of us associated with the College.

Let me use a collection of her words, Dr. King, to express the confidence the Sisters of Providence have in you, and the hope for success and happiness we wish for you as your life as president of her College unfolds.

We have witnessed in your interactions with others the living out of advice Mother Theodore gave to a sister just named superior of a local convent: 'The talent of a good Superior is ... to require of each one only what she can give.' May you continue to experience the gifts of wisdom this requires!

The office of president brings blessings and trials. Through it all may you continue to rely on the presence of God in your life, may you continue to be a woman of prayer.

Mother Theodore affirms what you already know, Dr. King. 'What strength the soul draws from prayer. In the midst of a storm, how sweet is the calm one finds in the heart of Jesus.'

And she reminds you, as she reminds the Sisters of Providence, 'Our hope is the Providence of God, which has protected us until the present, and which will provide, somehow, for our future needs.'

The Sisters of Providence warmly welcome you as President of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Dr. King. We promise you our support and our prayer.

And - on those days when you feel as Mother Theodore did when she wrote, 'I have already exceeded the amount of work my head can bear!' - be certain to call on her, mindful of these words of hers: 'No one loves you as your old Mother Theodore does.'

May all the blessings of Providence be yours, Dr. King! Please accept this small sign of Mother Theodore's presence to keep with you."

Letters from the battlefield

As we rapidly approach the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, Wabash Valley Visions & Voices is putting the final touches on a special collection celebrating and remembering the War Between the States or the War of the Rebellion. Many of the items in this collection are personal letters of soldiers. These letters provide a “ground level” view of the war — the hardships, sickness, death and, yes, the simple joys of life.

One such letter [a transcript] is from Confederate soldier Joseph Thompson to his wife, Mary, written near Corinth, Miss., April 27-29, 1862. It is part of the Vigo County Historical Society’s collection. Part of this letter reads:

“At dress parade, an order from [P.G.T.] Beauregard [Confederate general] was read commanding us to cook five days[’] rations and always keep that much ahead. Our boys were very much excited last evening as it was thought that the enemy would attack us this morning. They are surely advancing upon us. Yesterday, our advance guard had a bloody skirmish with them. Quite a number of our men was lost. Indeed, there is not a day but what there is a skirmish.

“The conscript law is, I fear, going to do much more harm than good. Our Volunteers are greatly excited. While regiments and companies whose time expired last week are now under arrest for stacking arms and declaring they would go home. The Soldiers feel that this law takes away their liberties and robs them of all the honor and patriotism of volunteering. With compulsory feeling in their breasts, they never will fight as they have done.

“They say that they will pay us today and, as soon as I get the money, I will close this letter. O, how I wish I could take the money to you my Self! Although my time is now so short, God only knows, in these critical times what may happen [h]ere then. But some how, I am bouyed up by hope, and hope bids me be of good cheer. What a blessed thing is hope.”

To view this transcript more closely, click here. To learn more about the Vigo County Indiana Civil War Sesquicentennial Project, visit here.

The digitization of Civil War memorabilia is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act Mini-Digitization Grant from the Indiana State Library. Partners in the project include Indiana State University’s Cunningham Memorial Library, the Vigo County Public Library, the Vigo County Historical Society and the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

Providence Associates and Candidates: now is the time to register for retreat

“Deepening the Providence Story” is the topic for the April 1-3 retreat at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for Providence Associates and Candidate-Associates. Presenters for the retreat are General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson and General Officer Sister Marie McCarthy. To learn more about this retreat and how to register, click here.

Please note that this is a retreat for Providence Associates and Candidate-Associates only. For more information about Providence Associates, visit here.

It's official ... confirmation from Rome came five years ago

It was almost a "pinch me" moment, except the intensity of planning made it very real. On Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006, the Sisters of Providence received word that the Ordinary Congregation of Cardinals in Rome made a positive declaration concerning a second miracle attributed to Saint Mother Theodore Guerin's intercession, opening her way to canonization.

A local celebration was planned that afternoon as the message was relayed to sisters on mission away from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and to close companions. A news conference to make a public announcement occurred on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006. And, thanks to Terre Haute and Indianapolis media, and the Associated Press whose representative was in attendance, the word spread quickly.

Only the approval of Pope Benedict XVI was needed for Mother Theodore's sainthood. It would be safe to say that not many people in the media really understood the importance of the announcement that day, but, as their reporting progressed in weeks ahead, many became enthusiastic storytellers of Mother Theodore's life.

Sister Ann Margaret O'Hara, then general superior, and Sister Marie Kevin Tighe, then vice postulator and promotor of the cause for Mother Theodore, both addressed the media that Wednesday morning. Phil McCord, director of Facilities Management at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, talked about the favor he received after he prayed to Mother Theodore for the strength to endure an upcoming corneal transplant. All took questions from the media after their statements.

Several local committees began forming to handle various duties surrounding the potential canonization. We'll share some of those strategies in March as plans started developing.

Every day is "Valentine's Day"

General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson encourages us to “pray for the gift of tender hearts” in her Valentine’s Day reflection, a helpful lesson for us to keep top-of-mind throughout the entire year. Matthew says that “unless we become like children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” This is poignantly exemplified in Sister Denise’s sharing of a family story about a very wise four-year-old. Read more ...

‘Honoring God by living our best life every day’

“Providence is …

a. delighting in the perfect love God has for us.
b. marveling in the unyielding grace that God has for us.
c. having a tolerant, forgiving and merciful heart.
d. keeping it real.
e. doing the right thing.
f. honoring God by living our best life every day.”

So writes Providence Candidate-Associate Joni Luna of Corpus Christi, Texas. Joni is being companioned by Sister Barbara Bluntzer.

Thus far in her year of candidacy, Joni has learned “that a true relationship with God requires that I reach to the depths of my soul and witness who is the real me. That each day I must read, react and respond to God’s calling — read how my day is playing out, be ready to react to circumstances as they unfold and respond as God would.”

To learn more about Joni and her spiritual journey with the Sisters of Providence, click here.

Thank goodness for Skype!

“We have a set schedule on Skype. We meet at 10 a.m. Pacific time the first Friday of the month to discuss that month’s topic in the white Providence Associates handbook. We talk for about an hour,” explains Providence Candidate-Associate Rachel Ambrose concerning her meeting times to discuss the Spiritual Integration Units with her companion, Sister Barbara Reder.

Many miles separate Rachel (pictured far left) and Sister Barbara (pictured second from left). Rachel resides in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., and Sister Barbara lives in Brownsburg, Ind. They’ve known one another since their Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College days, so the opportunity to share on a deeper level is a joy for both of them.

Rachel enjoys delving into the Spiritual Integration Units.

“The challenge is to bring out into the open some deep-seated questions. The challenge is to keep on track with your spirituality whereas in the past I would dismiss anything that seemed difficult and set it aside. The challege is to meet the difficulty head-on,” shares Rachel.

To learn more about Providence Candidate-Associate Rachel Ambrose, click here.

Happy New Year, Rabbits!

There's still time to celebrate!

The Chinese New Year celebration is getting close to its 15-day midway point. Congratulations, Rabbits, this is your special year!

There are a few decorations visible in buildings at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and the Chinese New Year is something that the Sisters of Providence acknowledge.

After all, Mother Maria Gratia Leuking and five companions (sound familiar?) traveled to China at the request of the local bishop there to establish a school (sound familier?). Well, fast-forwarding to the future, the mission in Asia is alive and well today, with sisters ministering in Taiwan. It remains an important part of the Congregation's overall mission to devote itself to works of love, mercy and justice in service among God's people.

So, Happy Chinese New Year! Please remember the commitment six sisters made to travel abroad (sound familiar), to establish new opportunities in a world virtually unkown to them at the time.