From left, Providence Associates Sheila Donis, Teresa Clark and Peggy Balensuela stand in front of Teresa’s sculpture of Pope John Paul II at Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago.
Twelve Sisters of Providence and Providence Associates traveled from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to Chicago on Memorial Day weekend with a fun picnic on the way.
We wanted to support our friend and Providence Associate, Teresa Clark. Teresa is an amazing sculptor. Her most recent work was dedicated at Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago on May 30.
The bronze statue of Saint Pope John Paul II is 20-foot tall and sits on an 8-foot granite base!
The group was welcomed at Guerin and Francis Borgia convents for a comfortable night’s sleep.
We celebrated Sisters Marie Paul and Teresa Costello’s birthdays with a grand edible gift fruit basket of Sister Marie Paul’s.
After the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cupich, and the dedication of the statue, we enjoyed another picnic and headed home to Indiana, stopping to sing a couple of fun songs and to taste a little ice cream.
Congratulations again to Teresa Clark!
Picnic #1 on the way down in Earl Park, Indiana. From left, Sisters Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer, Rose Marita Riordan, Teresa Costello, Joni Luna, Ann Paula Pohlman, Providence Associate Candidate Cindy Montgomery, Sister Joan Matthews, Sheila Donis, Sister My Huong Pham and Debbie Dillow.
On the “747,” heading to Chicago! Sheila at the wheel; Cindy Montgomery (PA candidate) riding shotgun; Sister Joan Matthews and Sister Teresa Costello along for the fun ride!
Sisters and associates processing to the dedication.
Posing with the statue of Saint John Paul II at Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago are, from left, PA Sheila Donis, Sister My Huong Pham, PA Teresa Clark, PA Candidate Cindy Montgomery, PA Debbie Dillow, Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer, PA Peggy Balensuela, Sisters Mary Moloney, Joni Luna, Ann Paula Pohlman, Teresa Costello and Joan Matthews.
Sheila Donis is a retired school superintendent and a Providence Associate. She was awarded the 2016 Sarah and Joseph Thralls award for her volunteer work with the retired sisters. Because of the education and friendship given to her from the Sisters of Providence since she was a little girl, she believes it is time to "give back." She continues to have a deep love and care for the sisters.
Thanks, Sheila, for sharing the joy of the trip and Teresa Clark’s amazing statue of St. Pope John Paul II. Your words and pix captured the spirit of pilgrimage very well! Cathy Campbell, SP
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Thanks, Sheila, for sharing the joy of the trip and Teresa Clark’s amazing statue of St. Pope John Paul II. Your words and pix captured the spirit of pilgrimage very well! Cathy Campbell, SP