Thanking the Sisters through social media

During this week, Americans were encouraged to thank their teachers with May 6-10 being declared Teacher Appreciation Week.

Specifically, on Tuesday, May 7, we asked you to remember your education from the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, through social media.

The people responding to the question on Facebook and Twitter came from all different walks of life and all parts of the country, showing how vast the instruction the Sisters of Providence have blessedly bestowed on many children during their time in thousands of classrooms across the United States.

The responses – nearly 100 of them – were overwhelming and we wanted to share some of them with you.

Judy Copeland said she remembered being taught by the Sisters at St. Patrick’s in Indianapolis. She vividly remembered “Sisters Gertrude Louise, Francis Catherine, Mary Michael and Hildegard. All wonderful teachers and all are in heaven now.”

While Kathy Bachman did receive an education from the sisters, she said “Sisters Joanna Brown and Annette Schipp were the best mentors for me as a young teacher. They always seemed cool and calm when it seemed things were going in all directions. Their kindness in helping me in my first years of teaching made this career choice the right one for me. Thank you so much. Love you. Rest in peace Sister Joanna and have a great day Sister Annette.”

Elaine Krallitsch said she was grateful for the education she received from the Sisters of Providence in the Chicago area. She remembered Sister Carol Nolan, formerly Sister Mary Sheila, who was her first piano teacher. She also remembered Sister Marie Paul Haas (RIP) who succeeded Sister Carol.

Elaine said, “They were always supportive and encouraging of my musical talent – learning to read musical notes for me was just as joyful as learning to read words! God bless all the SPs!”

While she was a student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Sirrea Hayes Whittaker had an English class with Sister Rosemary Nudd, which affected her profoundly.

“She helped develop my understanding of Shakespeare,” Sirrea said. “I still take a moment of reflection.”

 Carol Cragin Howe was taught by the Sisters of Providence at St. Anthony of Padua School in Gardena, California.

“From Sister Marie Michael in first grade to Sister Rose Gertrude in eighth grade, I had a great education,” Carol said. “Then, I worked there as a secretary. Sister Katherine Manley and Sister Ann (Stephen) Stouffer were the principals and Sister Agnes Farrell and Sister Regina Shaughnessy were in the office. I loved my years with them.”

In addition, Kristin Jean was taught by many Sisters of Providence at St. Charles School in Bloomington, Ind. She said she remembers Sister Regina Marie McIntyre quite well.

“The one (sister) who made the biggest impact was Sister Regina Marie McIntyre,” Kristin said. “My piano lessons with her set me on a path that has included performing all over the world, including Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. She was a kindred spirit. I still have the stuffed Snoopy hugging Woodstock she gave me.”

Arguably, one of the greatest comments came from Mary Anne Boarini Noble, who was taught by the Sisters for 12 years, first at St. Joseph in Indianapolis and then at St. Agnes and Ladywood-St. Agnes, also in Indianapolis.

“The education I received has been an integral part of my daily life. My dearest friends are from those years and those classrooms,” Mary said. “The sisters taught three generations in my family. Daddy said the entire Congregation had a sigh of relief when the last one graduated!”

Thank you for the chuckle, Mary!

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence, once said, “All that you teach the children must be taught for the greater glory of God and for the good of the children.”

It is only Thursday. If you haven’t had a chance yet and you’re still in school, thank your teacher today!