See Sister Becky Keller at ISU's Volunteer Fair

Want to find out about great volunteer opportunities and provide excellent community service?

Then, be sure and stop by Sister Rebecca “Becky” Keller’s Sisters of Providence volunteer booth from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14 during Indiana State University’s Volunteer Fair. Sister Becky’s booth will be set up around the fountain area at Dede Plaza. (If it rains, the ISU Volunteer Fair will move inside to ISU’s Dede II.)

We look for volunteers who are 18 years or older and who have their own transportation. We can answer some of your initial questions about volunteering with the Sisters of Providence here.

If you have limited time on your hands due to classes or other commitments, volunteering with the Sisters of Providence is still an option. When a person first expresses an interest in volunteering, Sister Becky meets with the individual to find out that person’s area of interest and what time he or she can devote to volunteering.

Whether you can donate a few hours, a day or a week or two, any time the person can volunteer with us is deeply appreciated.

Check here to find out what volunteer opportunities are available with the Sisters of Providence.
It is Sister Becky’s goal to make the volunteering with the Sisters of Providence a positive experience. To that end, many of our volunteers tell us that they receive so much from helping others.

If you’re interested in finding our more about volunteering, contact Sister Becky at 812-535-2813 or at rkeller@spsmw.org. Also, learn more at www.SPvolunteers.org

Picture of the week: Sept. 9

Happy 100th birthday, Sister Rosalie!



Sister Rosalie Marie Weller was born on September 7, 1911. She entered the Sisters of Providence community in 1934, when Mother Mary Raphael Slattery was general superior. (You can see her name in the first Sisters of Providence entrance book recently digitized with help of the Indiana Historical Society. She's on page 295.)

This makes her the second Sister of Providence to turn 100 this year — Sister Francis Alma McManus turned 100 back on February 28. (She entered the community in 1928.) Here are the two centenarians enjoying the day.

Why do people turn to prayer in troubled times?

Sister Denise Wilkinson

In the midst of remembrances of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson reflects on a media interview, where the reporter asked her why people turn to prayer in the midst of crisis.

"Feeling powerless, we turn to a higher power, to God," Sister Denise writes. "I believe part of my motivation is to regain some sense of well-being, some feeling that somehow God’s love continues to hold me and us securely."

Read Sister Denise's full reflection here.

Registry records every woman who has entered the Congregation

Since Nov. 9, 1840, every woman who has entered the Sisters of Providence has had her name recorded in one of two entrance books that are kept in the Congregation’s Archives. Now, thanks to our partnership with the Indiana Historical Society, the first entrance book has been digitized and is now available online in an easy-to-read format.

Working with the IHS’s Historic Document Preservation Program and the Preservation Imaging Lab, the 300 pages of this unique registry provide a wealth of information to genealogists and other researchers.

The first volume of the entrance books ends with number 3,306 — Sister Evelyn Theresa Hickey on Jan. 11, 1936.

Indeed, what a treasure from our Archives!

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Fest Oct. 21-23

Take a beautiful fall weekend and mix it with programs highlighting spirituality, music and art and you have the makings for this year’s Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Fest Oct. 21-23 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

The Fest’s theme is “Living the Legacy Now!” and the weekend will focus on the life of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. Saint Mother Theodore came to the Indiana wilderness from France in 1840 and quickly grew to love the land. She felt a personal call to sustainability and being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us which is exemplified in how the Sisters of Providence live today.

Mother Theodore welcomed people of all faith traditions and there is something for everyone at this uplifting event. See our Schedule of Events for workshops and the activities being offered.
The registration fee for the three-day weekend is $50 per person, all meals included. A special Saturday only rate of $25 (two meals included) is also offered.

A special highlight of this year’s Fest is a 6:30 p.m. concert, featuring the Vigo County Extension Homemakers Chorus. The concert will be conducted in Cecilian Auditorium in the Conservatory of Music at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Fest participants will be able to attend the concert free of charge.

The Vigo County Extension Homemakers Chorus began in 1936. Its Director Jackie Reeves notes, “Our chorus serves as a musical outlet for those who love to sing, providing opportunities to sing throughout the community. As far as I’m concerned, our purpose is to spread joy!”

For more information about the Fest, contact Sister Jan Craven at 812-535-2925 or jcraven@spsmw.org. More details can also be found at www.SistersofProvidence.org.

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!

Picture of the week: August 30

Sisters of Providence who live at the motherhouse gathered yesterday at an SP Social for ice cream and coffee in the Providence Hall dining room. At top is Sister Beatrice Hoberg; at bottom are Sisters Mary Pat Cummings, Edwardine McNulty and Dorothy McLaughlin.

(If pictures are not visible, you can view them at http://flic.kr/p/ahN6ii and http://flic.kr/p/ahQTzL.)

The work of the Holy Spirit

Social justice issues are important to Providence Candidate-Associate Gerri Baum of Cary, Ill. She belongs to many organizations that bring light to injustices in our world. Some of these groups include NETWORK, Pax Christi, Call to Action, American Catholic Council and the Women’s Ordination Conference.

Now, as a Providence Candidate-Associate, Gerri is learning more about the Congregation’s passion for social justice. After studying the Spiritual Integration Units (a program to help introduce candidates to the Sisters of Providence, the Providence Associate Relationship and Providence spirituality) with her companion, Sister Barbara Sheehan, Gerri noted:

“My overall reaction was overwhelming surprise. Six out of seven of my comments on the assessment reflection for each unit are, basically, ‘We’re on the same page.’ The lessons of the units have been a part of my adult spiritual development. I don’t think it is coincidental, I think it’s a work of the Holy Spirit. The units, however, also provided opportunities to reflect further on my life and spiritual path.”

Gerri will make her first commitment as a Providence Associate on Nov. 12, 2011.

Video celebrates Providence Associates and sisters

If you’re feeling a little down, then this video of Providence Associates singing and dancing at a social during the 2011 Annual Gathering last June might be just what you need. In what is becoming an annual tradition, Providence Associates put on their dancing shoes and entertained other associates and sisters during an evening social.

Chuck Neuman, husband of Providence Associate Marilyn Neuman, is credited with being the videographer of this event. Christina Blust, a graphics designer in the Office of Congregational Advancement, edited the video.

On that June evening 11 associates took the plunge and sang and danced their little hearts out. They included Maureen Baca, Sheila Donis, Sandra Hartlieb, Donna Kehoe, Sharon Medicis Michaud, Diann Neu, Megan O’Donnell Patton, Maria Price, Tracy Schier, Donna Watzke and Mel Marino Wolff. For a great Annual Gathering memory, check out this fun video.

Experiencing the generosity of Providence

From a very early age, Providence Associate Liza Hyatt of Indianapolis knew that art was very important to her.

“I knew that I loved art and that I found solace in it and that I needed to create to feel whole. I had childhood rheumatoid arthritis from the age of 3 to around 11 or 12. The first three letters of arthritis are a-r-t and because I felt unable to be an athlete due to the illness, I retreated to my imagination and trusted that ‘art’ was a gift hidden in having arthritis. I see now that I became an art therapist at an early age to help myself find healing during and after the arthritis,” said Liza, pictured above in the center of the first row.

Witnessing the difference that art made in her life, Liza wanted to share that experience with others. Today, she ministers at the Charis Center, the IU Simon Cancer Center and her own private practice. She also teaches the graduate course, Art Therapy and Spiritual Development, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

“Everyone is creative. Life involves struggle and conflict and creativity is how human beings respond to such tension. Often, people identify themselves as ‘not having an artistic bone’ because they have been told this by others or taught to distrust creativity from an early age. Art is misunderstood as something only talented professionals do. But if someone who identifies herself as not artistic has the chance to explore, engage with colors, sound, movement, metaphor, she will find that she has abundant creativity and that there is amazing unexplored potential within herself to discover. Often I hear people say, ‘Oh, I’m not artistic. I can’t even draw a straight line!’ Well, growth never asks us to draw in straight lines. And if you can make loops, curves, scribbles, spirals, doodles, then art therapy can help you grow," Liza continued.

Becoming a Providence Associate has renewed Liza’s soul. “I have made new friends and have come upon unexpected opportunities. I am experiencing the generosity of Providence more,” concluded Liza.

Ching Yi and Maricar renew their commitments

Ching Yi Tsai (left) and Maricar Chao, both of Shalu, Taiwan, renewed their commitments as Providence Associates for one year during a Eucharistic Liturgy in the chapel of Providence University on June 12. Ching Yi and Maricar were the first two people in Taiwan to make commitments as Providence Associates in March of 2010. Several family, friends and Sisters of Providence attended the celebration which ended with a big feast, a Sisters of Providence tradition.

Both associates were companioned by Sister Editha Ben. Maricar’s husband, Patrick, is a Providence Candidate-Associate whose companion is Sister Regina Wallace. Thanks to Patrick, we are able to share some images from this joyous day.

Providence Associates sing, dance and pray

Providence Associates came to share, pray, listen, worship, sing and celebrate with one another as well as with Sisters of Providence during their Annual Gathering at the Woods June 26-28. Nearly 60 associates came from all over the country for this annual event. The gathering included attending the opening days of the 2011 General Chapter of the Congregation.

While there were serious conversations, there was also time for fun and entertainment. Providence Associates are a creative lot, and they love to sing and dance, especially to the tunes of ABBA’s Dancing Queen and Kool & The Gang’s Celebration. Amazingly, no hips were thrown out of joint during the dancing!

A newly posted video illustrates some of the fun everyone had. Providence Associates are already looking forward to the 2012 Annual Gathering.

Providence Associates gather and entertain

The past few days have been ones of joyful celebrations and reunions for Providence Associates and Sisters of Providence. On Saturday, June 25, 13 sisters celebrated their golden jubilee. Among them was Sister Diane Mason, director of Providence Associates. Then on Sunday afternoon and evening, nearly 60 Providence Associates met in LeFer Ballroom at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for their second Annual Gathering.

On Monday morning, associates and sisters joined one another in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room for the opening of the 2011 General Chapter. During the opening Eucharistic Liturgy the room was filled with great energy. Later that afternoon, the State of the Congregation reports were heard.

Last summer during the sisters’ Annual Meeting, four Providence Associates — Sheila Donis, Sharon Medicis Michaud, Diann Neu and Mel Marino Wolff — entertained sisters and associates during a social with their particular version of ABBA’s Dancing Queen. Back by popular demand and with an even larger number of dancing queens, the associates once again entertained everyone in the newly remodeled Providence Hall Dining Room.

Keep checking back for images from these events!

Debbie Dillow joins Providence Associates Advisory Board

The Providence Associates Advisory Board welcomes its newest member, Debbie Dillow of Lizton, Ind. A Providence Associate since 2008, Debbie’s appointment was approved by the General Council in May. She brings many gifts to this board.

“I pray that I bring an open mind to new and innovative ways of serving Providence Associates and the Sisters of Providence through membership on the advisory board. I see the Providence Associates as being a critical part in furthering the mission of the Sisters of Providence. … Prayerfully discerning the direction and listening to Providence, through the intercession of Saint Mother Theodore as our guide, the advisory board can help direct the future of the associates and their role in association with the Sisters of Providence,” said Debbie, pictured above at left.

Debbie and her husband, Bob, are the parents and grandparents of two grown children and four grandchildren. She is very active at St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, Ind.

At this time, Debbie is reading “Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life” by Mary Margaret Funk.

“I have just started this book but the thought of learning new tools and ways of praying to deepen my spiritual life intrigued me. I just finished ‘Prayer’ by Joyce Rupp, a book that affirmed that God speaks to us when we are silent. In the busyness of today’s world, calming my thoughts and devoting time to God are essential to the healthiness of one’s spiritual life,” she continued.

Learn more about our newest member of the Providence Associates Advisory Board.

Uncovering ‘Longfellow’s grave’

“It had several affectionate names through the years, but the one I know is Longfellow’s grave,” said Sister Rose Ann Eaton, associate director of Facilities Management, referring to the large cistern on the eastside of Providence Hall which was removed last Friday, June 3.

“It held water from the downspouts on Providence Hall before it drained to the underground sanitary system. At one time, the sisters may have had a pump in it to use for outdoor watering of plants,” Sister Rose Ann continued.

“Plant Brothers, our contractors for this job, will fill in the cistern. The area will have completely new underground pipes for drainage. Many of the old ones were completely broken down. A parking lot will be located in that whole area by the east door,” she said.

There is a cistern in the courtyard of Providence Hall which is still being used.

To learn more about Providence Hall and its awesome architecture check out the winter 2011 issue of HOPE, pages 12-13.

A big thank you to Jim Brown, director of Facilities Management, for the photos.