Newsnotes

Blessings of Our Lady of Providence

Guests from the Terre Haute and Indianapolis areas joined the Sisters of Providence in celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Providence on Nov. 19 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The Mass included a special blessing for families in honor of Our Lady of Providence, Queen of the Home.

Sustainable Indiana award

White Violet Center for Eco-Justice (WVC) accepted a west-central Hoosier Green Light Award from Sustainable Indiana 2016, an Earth Charter Indiana initiative, in September. Also during the ceremony, White Violet Center was inducted into the Bicentennial Green Legacy Hall of Fame. General Superior Dawn Tomaszewski, left, and WVC Director Lorrie Heber accepted the award presented by John Gibson, Sustainable Indiana 2016 state coordinator. See the entire list of recipients (White Violet Center is in Region 7) at SustainableIndiana2016.org

Alternative fall break

Five students from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, spent their fall break at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice giving service in September. They weeded and mulched the crops; pulled out tomato cages; harvested, washed and bagged produce; fed the alpacas; and cleaned out the alpaca barn. They also volunteered at Helping Hands, a second-hand store in West Terre Haute, and played bingo with the sisters. From left are Bianca Mina, Alyssa Yuen, Lindsey Mack, Ameer Chughtai, and Will Moore.

Sister Brigid Mary Hurley, SP, honored

Sister Brigid Mary Hurley received the Father Patrick Hally Award Oct. 20, 2016. The award recognized her efforts on behalf of Cheverus Catholic School in Chevrus, Massachusetts. Sister Brigid Mary also received a recognition certificate from the City Council of Malden, Massachusett, congratulating and thanking her for her service.

Above, Sister Brigid Mary, center, is all smiles as she holds her award. Celebrating with her are (seated left) Sister Irma (formerly Sister Ann Peter) Meuse and (right) Sister Jane Iannoccone. Back from left, Sisters Claire (formerly Sister Brigid Eileen) Hanson, Danielle (formerly Sister Mary Lou) Sullivan, Jane Michael Dwyer and (far right) Sister Shawn Marie McDermott, all in the Malden area, joined in the celebration. Vicar/General Councilor Sister Lisa Stallings and General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski were delighted to be in the area and join them.

Choctoberfest at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Many Sisters of Providence and students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College took a break from the daily grind on Oct. 6 to partake in plenty of fellowship. And plenty of chocolate! The fourth annual Choctoberfest took place in the Rooney Library on the college campus that evening as sisters and students bonded together over chocolate, fresh fruit and more! Fair trade coffee and hot chocolate were also available. Sister Mary Montgomery helps coordinate the event annually with campus minister Andrea Beyke in collaboration with the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Scholarship students. This photo shows the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Scholarship students showing off their “I’m a Fan” stickers they received during the event.

Foundation Day service day

Students from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) participated in a Foundation Day service day on Oct. 25 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Several groups of students came over to the “sisters’ side” to do service projects with the SPs. Projects included weeding at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, interviewing sisters and helping to tell their stories, and even participating in a mini social media marketing campaign for Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. This photo taken by SMWC student Olivia Wells was part of that campaign.

Hooten’ good time

We celebrated White Violet Center for Eco-Justice’s 20th anniversary with a hootenanny on Oct. 1 and it was a hoot! It warmed our hearts that a little rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. In fact, it brought everyone closer together for amazing food and entertainment! We’ll do it again on Oct. 7, 2017 (during SMWC homecoming), so please save the date!

Welcome new Providence Associates!

The Sisters of Providence welcomed 30 new Providence Associates during a first-commitment Liturgy Nov. 12, 2016, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. New Providence Associates are, from front left, Donna Kida, Joan Haugh-Beatty (backset), Amy Langham, Dinah Vasbinder, Sandra Wickware, Linda Masesso, Sara Bennett, Valerie Esposito, Louella Dalina with Providence Associate Director Sister Diane Mason and Assistant Director Debbie Dillow. Second row from left: Benjamin Kite, Jeanie McElwain, Joyce Smith, Kathleen Hamilton, Theresa Vaughn, Jeanne Rewa, Christine O’Connor, Elizabeth Kolar Malone with Sister of Providence General Officer Jeanne Hagelskamp. Back row from left: Ericia Pruitt, Kelly Meyer, Christine Boyle, Anne McDermott, Frank Esposito (backset), Karen Sue Goehl, Carroll Vasbinder (backset), Lynda Parker, Jean Brown, Joan Richards, Will Hine and Katrina Welborn. Not pictured: Catherine Downing King, Kathy DiFede and Kathleen Markey also became Providence Associates during a ceremony in January in California.

32 Providence Associate candidates begin their journey

On Saturday, Oct. 8, 32 new Providence Associate candidates and their companions began their year-long journey of learning and growing together with an orientation day. The day included shared stories, getting to know one another and the Sisters of Providence better, and prayer together. At its conclusion, candidates and companions, shown here, bless one another. Learn more at ProvidenceAssociates.org.

Providence Associate honored

Congratulations to Providence Associate Lorrie Scheidler for being named Indiana’s 2016 School Counselor of the Year. Lorrie, right, is a counselor at Otter Creek Middle School in Terre Haute. She is shown here with school principal, Sarah Gore.

Sandy Scroggins retires

Sandy Scroggins who related with donors in our Mission Advancement office retired at the end of 2016. She had worked alongside the Sisters of Providence for 22 years. She leaves with our gratitude and prayers. “The day I met Mother Theodore and the Sisters of Providence was life changing on so many levels. How can someone be so blessed? I’ve gotten to know many amazing people … sisters, colleagues, and our dear and wonderful donors. It’s truly been an honor and a privilege to serve beside you. Love and blessings to you all!” she said.

(Originally published in the Winter 2017 issue of HOPE magazine.)