Sister Denise Wilkinson

Sister Denise Wilkinson

Sister Denise was the general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 2006-2016. She previously served as a high school teacher, college administrator, postulant/novice director and director of advancement and communications for the Congregation. Currently, Sister Denise serves the Congregation in various volunteer positions.

Wisdom and the future of religious life

We Sisters of Providence don't believe religious life is dead. That we cannot see how religious life will be lived in the future doesn't keep us from believing that it will.

Saint Mother Theodore: The real woman behind the image

I find this image of Mother Theodore very compelling. Because it hangs in my work space, I see it often. For me the image conveys an entirely different way to know Mother Theodore. This isn’t the iconic formal portrait of…

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Education in everyday caring makes a difference

Staff members who participated in dementia care training share how it makes a difference in their everyday care giving: Don’t take any behaviors personally.** Build trust by spending time with each person.** Learn to read the cues of a person. A non-verbal person may ordinarily smile as a greeting; but if there’s no smile, she’s having a bad time of it.

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HOME, a place to nurture the well-being of others

It is rare that a Sister of Providence going to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods doesn’t say, “I’m going home.” It is rare that visitors to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods campus don’t remark on the beauty, the peace and comfort they experience on the campus.…

A dementia friendly HOME at the Woods

HOME is a culture change. Its intention is to make the entire Woods a dementia-friendly place for both those living with cognitive challenges and for their families and friends. HOME is an acronym for Helping Ourselves Meaningfully Engage.

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