Newsnotes from summer 2022 HOPE magazine

On Jan. 23, 2022, the new leadership team for the Sisters of Providence for the next five years was installed. The new leadership team, from left, are: Sisters Dawn Tomaszewski (general superior), Laura Parker, Anne Therese Falkenstein, Carole Kimes and Jeanne Hagelskamp (vicar/general treasurer). At left, the new general officers at their installation ceremony.

The Gift of Art

Friend and artist John D. Hemminghouse, below, left, presented this beautiful wooden sculpture to Sisters of Providence on St. Patrick’s Day 2022. To meet our new “resident” at Providence Hall, visit this lovingly carved and hand-painted sculpture in the Community Room. Thank you, John!

HOPE honored

Our own HOPE magazine won a best of division Graphic Excellence Award from the Great Lakes Graphics Association for 2021. World Arts from Spencer, Indiana, which prints HOPE magazine, entered the Winter 2021 issue in the competition. Who knew you were reading an award-winning magazine right now?

Sister Dorothy Rasche recognized by area paper

The Terre Haute Tribune-Star recently recognized Sister Dorothy Rasche, SP, as one of six inspirational Women in Business. The recognition was printed in the paper’s magazine, Terre Haute Living, in the January/February 2022 issue.

Sister Dorothy was recognized for her prison ministry, and her ministry at The Connecting Link in West Terre Haute.

 In April, Sister Dorothy also received a service and leadership award from the West Terre Haute, Indiana, community. For more than 20 years, Sister Dorothy has advocated for the community and run The Connecting Link ministry. Based in West Terre Haute, Sister Dorothy helps those in the community by providing information, referring clients to various service agencies while also advocating to better the city, including helping bring a pharmacy to the community.

Chicago street renamed in honor of Sister Patty Fillenwarth, SP

In the fall of 2021, the City of Chicago honored Sister Patty Fillenwarth (RIP) by renaming a portion of North Monticello in front of the former Maternity BVM Convent as Sister Patty Fillenwarth Way.

Chicago resident and former member of Providence Family Services Board of Directors Maggie Martinez, who was also a longtime friend of Sister Patty, spearheaded the campaign.

The street is two blocks long and begins in front of the former convent. Sister Patty’s biological sister, Sister Joseph Fillenwarth, SP, was given a replica of the street sign. See photo above.

Sister Patty ministered in the City of Chicago for approximately 40 years as a teacher, principal and founder of Providence Family Services.

Sister Patty passed away on Jan. 7, 2020. She was a Sister of Providence for 62 years.

Sister Judith Birgen receives St. George Emblem from Archdiocese of Chicago

For her years of service in Catholic Scouting, Sister Judith Birgen, SP, was recently presented the St. George Emblem by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Sister Judith, better known as Sister Judy, received the emblem on Jan. 30, at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

The emblem is presented by the Archdiocese through the nomination and recommendation of a person’s peers and colleagues in recognition for service. There are two emblems given out by the Archdiocese annually. It is the highest honor the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Committee on Scouting can grant adults.

In a letter Sister Judy received from the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Committee on Scouting, Chairman Deborah Sitz said, “Your work on behalf of Catholic Scouts and scouting is truly appreciated and will be celebrated.”

Thanks for the ideas!

Thank you to all who read Sister Janet Gilligan’s charming article about O’Shaughnessy Dining Hall in the HOPE winter 2022 issue and responded to our appeal asking for your ideas for using this spacious and historic space to advance the mission and ministries of Sisters of Providence. Suggestions came through the HOPE mailing and by phone, email and the Sisters of Providence website. We commend you for your creativity and thinking big!

The conversation and planning continue. Stay tuned. …

Final resting place in the Woods

To date, 110 individuals have reserved niches for cremains burial in Providence Community Cemetery at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Small plaques reserved were recently placed on the reserved niches. Learn more about availability and pricing at CommunityCemetery.SistersofProvidence.org

Cook County Board of Commissioners honors Congregation, Guerin College Prep High School

The Cook County, Illinois, Board of Commissioners recently approved a resolution honoring the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, and Guerin College Prep High School for “providing decades of quality Catholic education …”

The board voted 16-0 in favor of the resolution, which was sponsored by Commissioner Peter Silvestri.

“Commissioner Silvestri was happy to honor the Sisters of Providence and Guerin, and he has been a long-term supporter,” said Silvestri’s assistant, Mary Beth Hoerner. “He wanted the school to be honored and remembered for the significant institution that it was, and he wanted the Sisters of Providence to be honored for their stewardship and excellence in teaching as well as for their theological role in helping to form the students who went there.”

Hoerner, who also attended Guerin College Prep, added: “Guerin’s student body came from all economic levels throughout the Chicago area. The Sisters of Providence worked diligently so that students who really wanted to attend, could attend. Those who attended Guerin consider their affiliation with the school as a source of pride and community, and they are grateful for the Sisters of Providence for making it happen.”

Originally published in the summer 2022 issue of HOPE magazine.