Sisters of Providence bless new retreat, guest center

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, officially blessed and conducted a ribbon cutting for retreat center and guest house Woodhaven on Tuesday.

Congregation General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, SP, offered a welcome prior to a call to prayer from Chaplain, Father Dan Hopcus. Blessings of each room took place in addition to the overall building.

“You bless us with your presence,” Sister Dawn said. “Our house is your house. You are always welcome here.”

Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett and members of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce also participated in the ribbon cutting.

“It is so peaceful out here,” Bennett said. “Maybe I need to come here more often.”

Sister Paula Damiano, SP, Co-Director of Providence Spirituality & Conference Center, added the Congregation’s traditions demand that the Sisters of Providence offer this new facility.

“Hospitality, from our earliest foundation, has and continues to be with us,” Sister Paula said. “We dedicate this to the honor and glory of the one God.”

The building includes 10 single bedrooms, each with a private bath. One of the rooms will be permanently occupied by Sister Mary Beth Klingel, SP, who will minister as coordinator of services for the facility.

The middle of the building also includes a kitchenette, dining area and gathering space. In addition, there are two handicap accessible rooms available.

Cost for guests is $70 per night.

The building sits on the site of the former Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College gymnasium, which was demolished in 2015.

“Woodhaven was built because we had also closed Owens Hall and we didn’t have enough space for sisters,” Sister Paula said. “That was built for temporary housing for sisters, but the ultimate goal was that it would be a guest and retreat house.”

The transitioning phase for living quarters to retreat center and guest house began in February 2022.