Sisters of Providence announce closures amid coronavirus crisis

Due to the continued threat of exposure to the coronavirus, the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, are taking precautions in order to protect the women in the Congregation.

Out of an abundance of caution because of the nature of the threat of COVID-19, the Sisters of Providence have announced that they will be closing their Motherhouse to visitors effective at 6 p.m., on Friday, March 13, through March 31.

The Congregation’s General Council announced that “Due to the medically fragile nature of most of the residents of Providence Hall and our surrounding small community dwellings, we will no longer be allowing visitors into our buildings.”

The closures include Providence Hall, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. In addition, Mass at the church will be closed to the public through March 31.

Providence Health Care, also located at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and sponsored by the Congregation, also closed its facility to the public at the conclusion of business on Thursday, March 12.

The closings do not affect portions of Providence Spirituality & Conference Center. O’Shaughnessy Dining Room, including Sunday Brunch, and Linden Leaf Gifts will remain open, as will White Violet Center for Eco-Justice and its Farm Store.

The action is being taken in order to protect the sisters who are elderly within the Congregation.

For more information, call Jason Moon, media relations manager for the Sisters of Providence, at 812-535-2810, or email jmoon@spsmw.org.