Join us for some Christmas fun!

For almost a decade, the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, have invited all our friends near and far and the local public to join us in ringing in the holidays with Christmas Fun at the Woods!

This year’s Christmas Fun will be 1:30-4:30 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 10. We hope you can join us!

The annual event was created in 2013. It offers all our friends and the public a chance to join the Sisters of Providence for sing-a-longs, hayrides, cookie decorating, a bake sale and more. Our sisters enjoy not only offering the event but also hosting all of the company at our Woods home.

So happy to be back

Due to COVID-19 we have been unable to host this wonderful event for the past two years. We are so excited to be able to resume this fun tradition once again this year!

Providence Spirituality & Conference Center (PSCC) Co-Director Sister Paula Damiano, SP, said the Congregation enjoys hosting the event so much and are looking forward to it.

“We want to share this beautiful place with more of the local community, since we so often hear from people that they’ve lived here all their lives and have never been here,” Sister Paula said. “Of course, since many of us who are sisters were teachers at some point in our lives, welcoming children is a natural fit.”

Sister Paula said Christmas Fun at the Woods has evolved quite a bit over the course of the past decade.

“In that first year, we had no idea if anyone would show up,” she said. “It was a beautiful day with a light snow and sunshine. Those who attended were so excited!

“The word spread and it’s grown each year, both in numbers of attendees as well as the activities we’ve offered.”

Improving

For example, this year, Santa Claus will have his own special area. In the past, Santa was welcomed inside of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence. However, this year, he will be in the Lodge behind Providence Spirituality and Conference Center, all set up with a warm, cozy fireplace.

And, if you like baked goods, come prepared to enjoy the Sisters of Providence and Providence Associate array of bake sale items that we have offered the past few years.

Sister Paula said the Congregation has missed hosting the event. Sisters are looking forward to seeing all the smiling faces again this year.

“Not being able to invite people in the past two years was certainly disappointing. But we knew we needed to protect the health of everyone involved,” she said.

The spirit of Christmas

She added seeing everyone, including the sisters, getting into the Christmas spirit is arguably the best part of Christmas Fun at the Woods.

“We combine the all-important true meaning of Christmas in nativity displays with other elements, such as face painting, cookie decorating and several other activities,” Sister Paula said. “We’re so happy to welcome back our neighbors in the Wabash Valley and beyond. It’s such a joy-filled time!”

Don’t miss out on coming out to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 1:30-4:30 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 10, to ring in the holiday with the Sisters of Providence!

Cost is $7. Children 3-under are free. For more information on tickets, click here.