light through trees

Warning, this album may contain photos of sunbathing nuns

There’s a really neat photo album scrapbook that Sister Jean Fuqua has put together of St. Joseph Lake at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and its restoration over the past decades. In choosing photos for an article in the most recent issue of HOPE magazine on Sister Jean’s work revitalizing the lake area, I had the fun job of looking through this album. It shows the progress of the lake project. It shows people helping out in the restoration efforts. And it shows many, many sisters having a good time at the lake.

Some of the photos from the album were just too fun not to share. So I offer you a sampling here.

And If you haven’t read Sister Cathy Campbells’s article from HOPE about Sister Jean’s amazing project at the lake, you won’t want to miss it. You can find it here.

Sister Jeanne Knoerle ice skates on St. Joseph lake in 1978.
Sister Cecilia Ann Miller swimming at St. Joseph Lake in the 1980s.
The label on this photo on the scrapbook album: HATS OFF TO THE CREW This handsome crew spent a hot August 15, 1981 seeding the slopes after the enlargement project. Seated on the hay: Jeanne Knoerle, Ruth Eileen Dwyer. Standing left to right: Bernice Kuper, Leona Walsh, Carol Nolan, Jean Fuqua, grandson of Taylor Ramsey, Taylor and Pete Farmer. In the truck: Mary Stella Morrisey, Agnese Boddington, Emily Walsh, Kathleen Desautels, Jean Karier, Sue Pietrus, Carol Meyers.
Sister Jean Fuqua mowing the lawn at St. Joseph’s Lake several years ago.
The final shovel-fulls of dirt are removed allowing the water to move into the newly expanded area of the lake in 1981.
Sister Bernice Kuper relaxes with a book in a hammock at St. Joseph’s Lake years ago.
Sister Jean Fuqua’s typed note from the St. Joseph Lake scrapbook regarding the infirmary picnic in 1982.
Trucking the sisters in for the 1981 infirmary picnic at St. Joseph’s Lake.
A boat ride during the 1981 infirmary picnic to the lake. From left clockwise: Sisters Marie Patrice Cleary, Ann O’Hara, Luke Crawford and Cathy Buster.
Another photo from the 1982 infirmary picnic.
Wheelchairs on the dock! 1982 infirmary picnic.
A more recent photo of Sister Jean Fuqua next to the sign marking the area surrounding the lake with its new name, Fuqua Park.
Sunset at the lake.
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Amy Miranda

Amy Miranda

Amy Miranda is a Providence Associate of the Sisters of Providence and a staff member in their Mission Advancement office. Amy is a 1998 graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. After serving in marketing and communication for the Sisters of Providence for nearly 25 years, Amy now serves as the Congregation's annual giving manager.

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5 Comments

  1. What a great blog, Amy! It brought back a lot of memories! I was provincial at the motherhouse during these years and I had to give the permission to pursue this “wild” idea of taking sisters in the infirmary to the lake! Recall being on the “loading the hay wagon”crew. It was quite a challenge and great fun at the same time. Thanks for not letting this album of precious memories stay on the shelf!

  2. This blog made me smile! Such wonderful photos; thanks for bringing them to us, Amy. This blog inspires me to get out the fishing pole again and make my way to the lake!

  4. Those pictures were so sweet to see. I love history and I loved seeing the sisters back in the day. Makes me appreciate even more all the goodness we’ve been blessed with. The people, the earth, and the precious spirits of those who lived before us and are with us now.

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