Celebrating 65 Years of Providence

Note: The following blog was co-authored by Sister Barbara Sheehan, SP, and Alice Quinlan

Nineteen women who entered the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, in September 1960, gathered at the Woods on September 12-14 to celebrate 65 years of Providential blessings and friendships.

‘Band’ Reunions

The 1960 “band” (class) has had reunions every five years since 1975. Even COVID-19 didn’t stop a gathering in 2020 — via Zoom, which was new to nearly everyone then.

The 2025 gathering celebrated eight Sisters of Providence in their 65-year Jubilee and 11 former members; travelers came from Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Louisville, Houston and Florida to join those now living at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Five former members could not attend but received notes written at a “study hall” table by those present.

The theme, “Celebrating Providence in our Lives,” was evident in conversations among everyone: This is a group that has had close ties from its beginning and thoroughly enjoys and cares for one another. We rejoiced with each other’s delights and shared sadness and grief at loss of spouses and mobility and health.

Tours and More

Saturday included golf cart tours of the campus (with a not so smooth drive at times and good laughs), visiting other Sisters we had not seen for a time, and sharing where we’ve been and what’s happening in our lives. Part of the ritual and prayer included reading aloud the names of all those who entered the community in 1960, remembering those who were deceased or lost.

General Councilor Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, SP, lent her photography skills to take a group photo before a celebrative dinner Saturday evening. Sunday included time at the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, community liturgy and dinner together in Providence Hall before departures.

It was a joyous and a profound time — joyous in being together again and profound in sharing/listening/praying with each other. Everyone expressed gratitude for our time together as we continue to grow together as women of Providence. We took away a cup memento decorated with a colorful tree and “Celebrating Providence in Your Life.”