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Connie McCammon

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Sisters who served during the Civil War

Sister St. Felix Buchanan Sister Helena Burns Sister Frances Ann Carney Sister Athanasius Fogarty Sister Sophie Glenn Sister Eugenia Gorman Sister Mary Francis Guthneck Sister Henrietta MacKenzie Sister Mary Louise Malone Sister Mary Rose O’Donaghue Sister Matilda Swinley Sisters Mary Rose, St. Felix, Sophie, Athanasius, Eugenia, Mary Frances and Matilda were honored with special tombstones…

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Civil War diary entries

In the Sisters of Providence Archives there is a bound transcription of the diary of General Superior Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly. She served as general superior after the death of Mother Theodore Guerin in 1856 until 1868, covering the turbulent years of the Civil War, 1861-1865. The diary consists of entries about the day-to-day activities…

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Tribute to Sister Athanasius

Sister Athanasius Fogarty, directress of the Military Hospital in Indianapolis during the Civil War, was greatly respected as a sister-nurse. She served at the hospital from May 17, 1861, to August 1865. The necrology (obituary) in the Sisters of Providence Archives for Sister Athanasius reads in part: “Sister Athanasius (Margaret Fogarty) born in County Roscommon,…

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Treasures from Archives: Sister St. Francis Xavier’s slippers

One day while gathering some information for a blog on the death of Sister St. Francis Xavier Le Fer, I ran across some intriguing information about an artifact belonging to her. I found the information in the capacious first volume of the Congregation’s history written by Sister Mary Borromeo Brown. The information concerned a pair…

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Liza Hyatt publishes book of poetry

Providence Associate Liza Hyatt of Indianapolis recently published a book of poetry titled, “Under My Skin.” Below, Liza shares some insight into her book and how it evolved. The book may be purchased online by visiting here. 1.) You’ve been working on this manuscript since 2005. What was your original impetus for wanting to create…

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Treasures from Archives: Father Goossens

In one of my recent forays in the stacks of Archives, I stumbled upon a unique item. In an archival box marked chaplains I discovered a black leather wallet in the file of the late Father Emile J. Goossens. No, there wasn’t any money, but there was a wonderful pin — a little tarnished —…

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Treasures from Archives: Foley Hall Elevator

Foley Hall conjures many memories for many people. For those of us who never had the privilege of seeing this magnificent edifice, old photographs help us to imagine what an awesome structure Foley must have been. Another way in which we can appreciate the grandness of this building is to peruse some old documents wonderfully preserved…

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Bill Hughes: resonating with Providence

William “Bill” Hughes is a 2011-2012 Providence Candidate-Associate from Terre Haute, Ind. His companion is Sister Ann Casper. 1.) Share with us a little about yourself. I lived the first 11 years of my life in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area, moved to Sparta, Ill., at age 11. My father and grandfather were both Presbyterian pastors….

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Remembering Sister St. Francis Xavier

After the arrival of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her companions to the Woods in October of 1840, the small Congregation was beset with many losses and trials. One of the most grievous and personal losses to Saint Mother Theodore was the death of Sister St. Francis Xavier, who died Jan. 31, 1856. Irma Le Fer, as…

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Treasures from Archives: Marleau-Hercules Fence Co.

Back in the far recesses of Archives is a wonderful archival box filled with tantalizing details about the convent cemetery. One of the items that caught my attention was the bill for the wrought iron gate at the entrance of the cemetery. The invoice is dated Oct. 14, 1940, and is from the Marleau-Hercules Fence Co. of…

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Lori Strawn: from serendipity to Providence

Lori Strawn is a Providence Candidate-Associate from Wichita, Kan. Her companion is Sister Rosemary Nudd, an associate professor of English at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC). 1.) Share with us a little about yourself. I grew up in Southern California. I attended Catholic grade school (St. Joseph School, taught by Sisters of St. Francis) and high…

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Debbie Dillow ‘excited & humbled’ by new position

The Providence Associates Advisory Board is excited to welcome Debbie Dillow, PA, as the new assistant director of the relationship. Debbie has been an associate since 2008 and has served on the advisory board since last spring. Debbie hails from Lizton, Ind. Debbie’s connection to the Congregation is unique. She wasn’t educated by the Sisters…

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