The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a community of vowed Catholic women religious. Inspired by our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we are passionate about our lives of prayer, education, service and advocacy.
Reconnect or find new opportunities with the Providence Community. Volunteer in one of our many ministries, be an intern on the farm, explore job opportunities or reminisce about your alma mater.
Live joyfully! Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to explore a fulfilling life as a Sister of Providence. All women and men of faith are invited to join the family of Providence as Providence Associates.
“Our students were such a joy to teach. They were so loyal and loved our school. They wanted to learn. I remember a year with subzero temperatures and public schools were closed. Our students came to school anyway and were very happy to be there.”
Providence High School began its story in 1888 as Our Lady of Sorrows School. The school graduated its first two students in 1891. As the school grew, a new building was purchased for the academy. In 1921, the name was changed to Providence High School by Cardinal Mundelein. Further increasing enrollment led to a new building on Central Park Avenue in 1929.
People waiting to enter the new Providence High School, Chicago, for the dedication ceremonies on May 12, 1929.
For the next 48 years, the Sisters of Providence and all the Provites learned, succeeded, built relationships and advanced to the next stages in their lives.
In 1968 due to challenges with enrollment, Providence High School for girls was combined with St. Mel High School for boys and renamed Providence-St. Mel. Later, in 1974, due to financial strain, the sisters leased the building to the Archdiocese of Chicago. The lease expired in 1978 and that fall the school reopened as a private Catholic School. Today, Providence-St. Mel is an independent school for pre-kindergarten to grade 12.
Alumnae of Providence High School have stayed in contact with each other and continued their lifelong journey with the Sisters of Providence over these many years. All these relationships have brought such joy to the sisters. These loyal alums, through the Providence High School Alumnae Association, have donated $50,000 or more each year to support sisters who are retired as they continue their life journey of service. Over the past 34 years, this dedicated group has given more than $1.5 million dollars to the Sisters of Providence. Providence alumnae are a true blessing in the life and mission of the Sisters of Providence!
Sesquicentennial banners hanging in front of Providence High School in 1990.
On Oct. 26, 2019, Providence High School, Chicago will host their final reunion. This will take place at The Diplomat West Banquet Hall, 681 West North Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois. You can register or learn more by contacting Andrea Pocica at providencealumnae@sbcglobal.net or by voicemail at 708-802-4722. You can also contact the Sisters of Providence Alumnae/i Coordinator Connie Gualano at cgualano@spsmw.org or 812-535-2811.
While this is not the end of our relationship, this is the final official gathering of our Providence High School Alumnae Association.
To all of our Providence High School alumnae, and all our former students: the impact you continue to have on the Sisters of Providence through your letters, phone calls, visits and financial giving is truly a blessing. We invite you and those you love to the Woods anytime to continue your journey with the sisters. If distance keeps you from visiting, call us at 812-535-2800 to ensure you are signed up to receive HOPE magazine and our newsletters.
We hope to see you Oct. 26 at our final ‘official’ gathering of Providence alumnae!
Meeting of administrative officers on Feb. 22, 1963, at Providence High School, Chicago. Seated: Sisters Mary Corona Sullivan and Mother Rose Angela Horan. Standing: Sisters Charolotte Wohleiter, Ann Thomas Hartman, Miriam Gunning, Marie Clarice Toomey, Lucy Yenn, Francis Alma McManus and Marie Loretta Shea.
Zach Pies was part of the Mission Advancement team for the Sisters of Providence. He has been coming to the Woods since he was 6 years old. Zach still enjoys sharing the stories, mission and ministries of the sisters with friends.
Prov graduate of 1964. Had the Sisters of Providence from
Kindergarten thru high school.
(St.Agnes in Brighton Park).
Loved
I am trying to find out if my great aunt worked at this school. She was a sister of Providence named sister Joan of Arc. Her real name was Thérèse Bégin. She was located in Chicago and Burlington, Vermont between 1945 and 1978.
Hello, I’ve passed on your question to our Archives department. They will be in touch. Thanks for reaching out!
Did your great aunt teach ancient history?
Julie
Believe she taught ancient history at Providence H.S. early ’50s,
If so, I was in her class.
Juliana
I believe she taught ancient history early 1950’s, Providence High School, Chicago, Ill. I was in her class as well as her “home room”, first class and religion. She loved the French pronunciation of her taken name “Joan of Arc”.
J
My mother graduated from Providence in 1942. Delores Jaworski aka Jayes. Are there any yearbooks and/or records available from 1939-1942? Thanks
Sister Mary Corona Sullivan, Mildred Sullivan was my great Aunt.
I graduated from Providence High School in 1962. I am interested in knowing so what became of Sister Miriam, who was principal of Providence during my fours years 1958-1962. Also whatever happened to Sister Joan who taught music/choir there during those same years.
Thank you,
Patricia (Klipp)
Looking for any information or pictures of Emma McGuire who attended circa 1908. Many thanks for any information.
We will send this on to our archives to see if they might be able to find anything.
Hello,
I am working on a family tree and looking for any information or pictures of a Sister Mary Timothy S.P. (daughter of Timothy and Ida O’Connor).
Thank you for all your help!
God bless,
Amanda
I will reach out to our Archives Department to see if we can help.
Some Providence H.S. Grads are still around and wondering what became of….? I have been so shaped by my years at Providence (1959-1963) and by the sisters who taught me so much so well. I know we’re all ancient, but that gives us perspective on events of half a century ago that encourages our curiosity rather than curtails it.
I know the Alumnae Association has ended, but I wonder if there is any unofficial way to keep some kind of co tact among those who would want it. I would be happy to make some efforts to make this happen.
Michele,
I would love to help you connect with other grads from Providence H.S.! Please feel free to reach out at your convenience and we will work to make that happen.
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Prov graduate of 1964. Had the Sisters of Providence from
Kindergarten thru high school.
(St.Agnes in Brighton Park).
Loved
I am trying to find out if my great aunt worked at this school. She was a sister of Providence named sister Joan of Arc. Her real name was Thérèse Bégin. She was located in Chicago and Burlington, Vermont between 1945 and 1978.
Hello, I’ve passed on your question to our Archives department. They will be in touch. Thanks for reaching out!
Did your great aunt teach ancient history?
Julie
Believe she taught ancient history at Providence H.S. early ’50s,
If so, I was in her class.
Juliana
I believe she taught ancient history early 1950’s, Providence High School, Chicago, Ill. I was in her class as well as her “home room”, first class and religion. She loved the French pronunciation of her taken name “Joan of Arc”.
J
My mother graduated from Providence in 1942. Delores Jaworski aka Jayes. Are there any yearbooks and/or records available from 1939-1942? Thanks
Sister Mary Corona Sullivan, Mildred Sullivan was my great Aunt.
I graduated from Providence High School in 1962. I am interested in knowing so what became of Sister Miriam, who was principal of Providence during my fours years 1958-1962. Also whatever happened to Sister Joan who taught music/choir there during those same years.
Thank you,
Patricia (Klipp)
Looking for any information or pictures of Emma McGuire who attended circa 1908. Many thanks for any information.
We will send this on to our archives to see if they might be able to find anything.
Hello,
I am working on a family tree and looking for any information or pictures of a Sister Mary Timothy S.P. (daughter of Timothy and Ida O’Connor).
Thank you for all your help!
God bless,
Amanda
I will reach out to our Archives Department to see if we can help.
Some Providence H.S. Grads are still around and wondering what became of….? I have been so shaped by my years at Providence (1959-1963) and by the sisters who taught me so much so well. I know we’re all ancient, but that gives us perspective on events of half a century ago that encourages our curiosity rather than curtails it.
I know the Alumnae Association has ended, but I wonder if there is any unofficial way to keep some kind of co tact among those who would want it. I would be happy to make some efforts to make this happen.
Michele,
I would love to help you connect with other grads from Providence H.S.! Please feel free to reach out at your convenience and we will work to make that happen.
(812) 535-2807 or cpritchett@spsmw.org
Would love to have the lyrics to “Daughters of Providence High” written by Fr. Daniel A. Lord.
Unable to find them online. Can you help?
Camille,
Great to hear from you! I will check to see if we can find a copy of the lyrics and get back with you ASAP. Thank you!
We found the lyrics! Let me know how/where you would like for me to send them to you. Thanks!
(812) 535-2807 or cpritchett@spsmw.org