Sister Ann Casper

Sister Ann Casper

Sister Ann Casper, SP, retired as the executive director for Mission Advancement for the Sisters of Providence in 2018 and currently serves as minister of Providence Community Cemetery at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Sister Ann has ministered in various scholastic and administrative positions in Indiana and North Carolina. She also was a member of the Sisters of Providence leadership team, serving as General Secretary.

Christmas Prayer

Infant Jesus, born among us as a helpless baby, … come into our hearts this day and teach us the meaning of simplicity and how dependent we are on others. … come into our minds this day that we may…

Expanding the story of hospitality

The party was going strong, but Marianne was not there! I inquired and was told that she was out in the courtyard. Were we ever surprised and pleased that just at that moment Marianne was being presented with a pocket watch belonging to her aunt, Sister of Providence Marion Celeste Bisch.

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All Saints Day

As a kid, saints always fascinated me. I liked hearing their stories from my Sister of Providence teachers and reading their stories on my own. The martyrs, in my young mind, were the best! I really liked those stories and reveled in the fantasy that someday I, too, would die for my faith, just as they did — burned at the stake or fed to the lions. Well, forget that! Reality soon set in and with it a desire to stay as far away from that kind of suffering (make that any kind of suffering) as possible!

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Three countries of heritage: France, Taiwan and U.S.

On day three prior to the Oct. 25 public opening of the shrine, I’d like to focus on just three countries that have played a significant role in the 174 years since our foundation in 1840: France, United States and China. From France to America to China, the call to mission is basic to our history.

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A legacy of hospitality

Hospitality is a tradition the Sisters of Providence take to heart. Says one recent guest, “I soon found out that staying at Owens was like having 30 moms around me. I felt so safe, so accepted and secure. They even leave things at my bedroom door: a poem I might enjoy, a fresh-baked muffin, a cup of homemade soup, a book to read. They ask about my day."

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Ministry in the marriage tribunal

As the only woman reviewing cases in our tribunal, I feel I balance the male perspective. I am a good listener and feel that I relate to people with empathy. If a case is particularly difficult, I will put it aside for a while and reread it later. Often I have new insights in doing so that strengthen the case.

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Walking Together

O God, you walk with us through life.
You strengthen us
so that we might be your presence
to others on the journey.

He is risen! He is you! Alleluia!

I believe I encountered such a risen Christ this past weekend. No, it was not an appearance like on the road to Emmaus or by the seashore; perhaps more like when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene disguised as the gardener. Two instances come to mind.

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Community prayer via Skype™

Sisters Brigid Ann and Eileen Bonner are in Louisville and Sister Mary Morley (formerly Sister David Mary) is in Cincinnati. The time to pray is marked on the computer monitor. They gather “face to face” by way of Skype. You’ll find them there weekdays at 4 p.m. and weekends at 10 a.m.