Celebrating American Education Week
“Love the children first, and then teach them.” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Chances are, if you are a regular visitor to the Sisters of Providence website, you were probably taught by a Sister at one time or another.
After all, the Congregation has a rich history in education, dating back to before the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, set foot on North American soil.
The Beginning
In 1839, Bishop Simon Brute de Remur of the Diocese of Vincennes requested a group of Sisters of Providence from Ruille-sur-Loir, France. The then-general superior of the Congregation summoned Sister St. Theodore Guerin and told her she was the only sister capable of leading this mission.
After discerning whether to leave her native land, Sister St. Theodore agreed to lead the group.
Five sisters joined Saint Mother Theodore Guerin from France across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States to begin the long journey from the east coast to Indiana, where they settled at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
The Academy became the first school under the direction of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. It continues to this day as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
Many more schools were established under the direction of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin as the Sisters of Providence expanded their education ministries across the country.
Recognizing all those Teachers
This week is American Education Week. The week recognizes the work of all educators while emphasizing the need for a quality education.
While many Sisters of Providence no longer teach in the classroom, some in fact do and many still provide a component of education in their ministry.
For example, Sister Mary Ann Stewart is a social studies educator at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. She has been with the school since 1980.
Sister Judith Birgen is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Chicago State University.
Sister Mary Catherine Guiler ministers as a substitute teacher in the Washington, D.C., area and Sister Tracey Horan is the Associate Director of Education and Advocacy at the Kino Border Initiative in Rio Rico, Arizona.
In addition, Sister Regina Marie McIntyre teaches postulants of the Congregation the traditional hymns sung by the Sisters of Providence sing while Sister Patty Wallace ministers as a children’s librarian at the Glendale Public Library in Indianapolis.
Finally, Sister Barbara Sheehan ministers as a Clinical Pastoral Educator for St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood, Kentucky.
This week, recognize those Sisters of Providence who were your teachers. Provide them with a memory from when you were in their classroom. Post those memories in the comment section below.
They’d love to hear from you.
“All that you teach the children must be taught for the greater glory of God and for the good of the children.” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
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The Sisters of Providence have and still do certainly enable many people to move forward in life. Education is such an important step for us to get ahead and be our God centered authentic selves In Today’s Sun Times, I read an article about the Transgender community. This is Transgender Awareness Week. This Wednesday is day of remembrance for all those murdered and harassed to death. The article concludes “You don’t have to appreciate trans people aesthetically. You don’t have to like them. It really isn’t about you. Another important lesson journalists figure out again, if they’re any good.” Hopefully this insight does not offend you but rather enhances the value and importance of National Education Week. Thanks to all dedicated to education. Our ongoing education is so important!
Sister Regina Marie McIntyre has played an enormous role in my life. She was my music teacher at St. Charles, Bloomington, and though I was never meant to be a musician, she taught me love and joy and along with S. Rose Loretto (RIP) led me to join the Community for an important time in my life. Her always-open heart and welcoming smile have continued to be joyful example to me through more than 70 years! My heart is full of love and gratitude for Regina and so many SP’s living and dead. So many lessons learned! What a gift!
Sister Martha was an amazingly kind instructor who enlivened my WED Saints and Peacemakers course and helped me to see that a more beautiful world is indeed possible. Yet, what still touches my heart after all of these years is the kind notes she wrote regarding my health as well as her comprehensive personal updates on campus life.
Sister Rosemary is a Shakespeare extraordinaire. To succeed in her course, I lived and breathed Shakespeare. I read and reread the text, watched the most accurate video presentations of the plays I could find, and read numerous “Shakespeare for Dummies” volumes. What an intense period of time that I will never forget. Thanks to Sister Rosemary, I fell in love with Shakespeare.
Ever Sister of Providence I was taught by or have known is a walking model of “Love the children first.” Blessings on all of the Sisters still with us who continue to bear that banner and live that charism.
Sister Robert Ellen (Sister Joyce Brophy). You are always in my heart and prayers. Known you for 60 years.
God bless you.
I would like to recognize all my teachers from Immaculate Conception School in Norwood Park, Chicago, Ill. They were all exceptional teachers and I loved all of them. My oldest brother, Frank, had Sr. St. Bernard, SP, in 1st grade at St. Mark’s School, Chicago. He died in May, 1937, during first grade. I was born the following May, one day short a year after he died. Was it a coincidence when, 8 years later, the Sisters of Providence became our teachers again at ICS? They say that imitation is the highest form of praise. I have been imitating my SP teachers for the past 68 years.