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.
Sister Katherine Francis French celebrated her 50th Jubilee on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Standing with Sister Katherine (third from left) are General Councilors (from left) Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, General Superior, Sister Mary Beth Klingel, Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, Sister Jenny Howard and Sister Lisa Stallings.
Sister Katherine Francis French is celebrating 50 years as a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, this year.
A native of Trenton, N.J., she entered the Congregation on Sept. 15, 1969, from St. Raphael Parish, Trenton, N.J. She professed perpetual vows on Sept. 27, 1975.
Sister Mary Beth Klingel (left) and General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski (right) with 2019 Golden Jubilarian Sister Katherine Francis French.
Sister Katherine Francis graduated from Immaculata College for Women in Washington, D.C., with an associate’s degree in 1968, and from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1971. She also earned a master’s degree in Religious Education from St. Thomas Aquinas Pontifical University in Rome, as well as her LPN from Vinal Regional Vocational Tech in Middletown, Conn.
Her ministries include:
Washington, D.C.: Teacher, Immaculata Preparatory High School (1972-75),
Chelsea, Mass.: Teacher, St. Rose High School (1975-77),
Washington, D.C.: Teacher, Immaculata Preparatory High School (1977-86),
Fredericksburg, VA: Director of Religious Education, Adult Education, St. Mary’s Church (1986-89),
Durham, Conn.: Director of Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Notre Dame Parish (1989-92),
Middletown, Conn.: Home Health Care, Middlesex Visiting Nurses Association (1993-94),
Middletown, Conn.: Licensed Practical Nurse, Wadsworth Glen Health Care Center (1996-98),
Worcester, Mass.: Licensed Practical Nurse, St. Francis Home (1998-2003),
Whitinsville, Mass.: Licensed Practical Nurse, St. Camillus Health Center (2003-05),
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.: Licensed Practical Nurse, Providence Health Care (2006),
Lexington, N.C.: Geriatric LPN, Alston Brook Health Care; Director of Faith Formation, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish (2006-09),
Lexington, N.C.: Pastoral Associate and Director of Faith Formation, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish; LPN, Alston Brook Health Care (2009-10),
Lexington, N.C.: Pastoral Associate and Director of Faith Formation, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish (2010-17), and
Currently ministers as a freelance Adult Faith Formation educator in the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C.
Sister Katherine Francis French
About the Sisters of Providence
The Sisters of Providence, a congregation of 214 women religious, with 300 Providence Associates, collaborate with others to create a more just and hope-filled world through prayer, education, service and advocacy. The Sisters of Providence have their motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, located just northwest of downtown Terre Haute, Ind., which is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin founded the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840. Today, Sisters of Providence minister in 13 states, the District of Columbia and Asia, through works of love, mercy and justice. More information about the Sisters of Providence and their ministries can be found at SistersofProvidence.org.
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