Site author

Connie McCammon

Content written by Connie

Story

Civil War service

Just over 20 years after the founding of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., the country was torn apart by the Civil War (1861-1865). Sisters of Providence answered a call to duty by Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton. Barely a month after the April 12, 1861, attack on Fort Sumter, Gov. Morton requested…

Read More...

Story

Young woman’s letters help explain formation

Sister Mary Slattery (RIP) probably never dreamed she would leave such an impression with her personal letters to a longtime friend. But her words were so eloquent and convincing that they were shared publicly in the pages of “The Bugle Call,” a publication that was sent to students from 1921 to 1958 who attended Sisters…

Read More...

Story

A labor of love: To God Through Music

Sister Mary Lourdes Mackey (RIP) understood that children thrive with music. She knew music enriches them. Embracing that wisdom, Sister Mary Lourdes launched a project that eventually brought national acclaim to the Sisters of Providence. The music series, “To God Through Music,” came to life in the early 1950s and even today is believed to…

Read More...

Story

Sister Cathy: fun to be a part of something new

Sister Cathy White of San Bernardino, Calif. — is the  2007-2008 companion to Providence Candidate-Associate Pat Ruck. 1.) Why did you want to become a companion? Sister Mary Alice Zander, director of Providence Associates, asked me. I actually have the time at this point in my life. When the ministry started last year I was…

Read More...

Story

Sister Joan Kirkpatrick: supporting lay people

Sister Joan Kirkpatrick of Terre Haute, Ind. — 2008-2009 companion to Teresa Clark; 2007-2008 companion to Providence Associate Kay Sisk 1.) Why did you want to become a companion? As the number of members in the priesthood and religious communities continues to diminish, I see this as the era of the lay minister in the…

Read More...

Story

Sister Mary Ann: growing as women in Providence

Sister Mary Ann DeFazio is a companion to Kathleen Morris of Medford, Ore. Sister Mary Ann teaches theology at Guerin College Preparatory High School, River Grove, Ill. 1.) How did you become Kathleen Morris’s companion? I volunteered to be a companion when the associates program began. As the second year was about to begin, Sister…

Read More...

Story

Maria Price: no longer a bystander

Maria Price is a Providence Candidate-Associate who lives in Louisville, Ky. She is the executive director at St. John Center, a homeless shelter in Louisville. Her companions are Sisters Eileen Rose and Brigid Ann Bonner. 1.) Tell us about yourself. I grew up on a farm in southern Illinois and was raised in the Protestant…

Read More...

Story

Cynthia MacWhorter: a blessing

Cynthia MacWhorter resides in South Bend, Ind. Her companion is Sister Mary Roger Madden. 1.) What is your connection to the Sisters of Providence? My connection with the Sisters of Providence goes to the very center of who I am. I was a member of the community until 1979. I loved my years with my…

Read More...

Story

Kathy Newport: truly called

Kathy Newport is a Providence Candidate-Associate who resides in Beech Grove, Ind. Her companion is Sister Marsha Speth. 1.) Tell us about yourself. I am the youngest of nine children born to Michael and Marcella Newport who are both deceased. Since all my brothers and sisters are married with children, and most with grandchildren, I…

Read More...

Story

Marilyn Webb: my own spirituality has been enriched

Marilyn Webb resides in Brownsburg, which is just west of Indianapolis. She works part-time for her parish, St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg. Marilyn’s ministry includes working with adult faith formation, including helping with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), Bible studies and support groups. She is also involved with Contemplative Outreach of Indianapolis…

Read More...

Story

Alice Shelton: getting to know the Congregation in a new way

Alice and her husband, John, reside in Indianapolis. She has four grown stepchildren. A graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), Alice has worked at Marian College in Indianapolis since 1990. She is the director of Business Services. John also works at Marian College. Alice and John are members of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carmel,…

Read More...

Story

Beverly Adams: Providence doesn’t fail!

Beverly Adams, a Providence Candidate-Associate, resides on the West side of Chicago. She and her husband have two daughters and a very lovable pit bull. Beverly’s companions are Sisters Joseph Ellen Keitzer, Kathleen Smith and Joanna Valentino. 1.) Share a little about yourself and your connection to the Sisters of Providence. I was born into…

Read More...

Connie McCammon worked in the communications office for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.