
- About
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Love, mercy, justice
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a community of vowed Catholic women religious. Inspired by our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we are passionate about our lives of prayer, education, service and advocacy.
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- Justice
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Break boundaries, create hope
Spirituality and justice go hand-in-hand. We are committed to walking with those on the margins. Join us on our journey to make Earth better for all.
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- Be inspired
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What inspires you?
We all need a little spiritual inspiration sometimes. Let the wisdom of our Providence Community support you on your journey.
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- Visit
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Experience the Woods
From the moment you step onto the grounds at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, you know you're somewhere special. There's something for everyone at the Woods.
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- Get involved
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Where do you fit in?
Reconnect or find new opportunities with the Providence Community. Volunteer in one of our many ministries, be an intern on the farm, explore job opportunities or reminisce about your alma mater.
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- Join
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Join the Providence Family
Live joyfully! Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to explore a fulfilling life as a Sister of Providence. All women and men of faith are invited to join the family of Providence as Providence Associates.
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- Prayer Requests
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What can you do? Staying engaged in divisive times
Do something concrete. Trust in your power to make change, even if the results aren't immediately obvious.
Create beauty. Sing, dance, paint, draw, garden, play an instrument or write.
Ask questions of others who have different views.

Disrupting apathy and injustice: Sister Tracey Horan and World Meeting of Popular Movements
“Now, we must all become disruptors.” Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego addressed a crowd of nearly 600 clergy, women religious, and grassroots activists at the first regional meeting of the World Meeting of Popular Movements. Bishop McElroy called on them to disrupt apathy and injustice, racism and rejection of the stranger.
“This is not a moment for us to stay on the sidelines,” Sister Tracey Horan said. “The gospel calls us to step up."

Dear Discerner: live the questions now
In my discernment process, Sister Tracey Horan would refer me to the quote of poet Rainer Maria Rilke: “Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps, then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”

Volunteer spotlight – Peggy Balensuela
If you've been considering volunteering with the Sisters of Providence, hesitate no longer! When the Sisters say "All Are Welcome," they mean it. I am one of the many non-Catholics who passionately support their mission and the charism of St. Mother Theodore.

Holy Week reflections with Saint Mother Theodore
We hope your time walking through Lent with Saint Mother Theodore Guerin has been beneficial. The week's reflections below conclude this Lenten journey. May your Holy Week be blessed!

Week 6: Walking through Lent with Saint Mother Theodore
We invite you to continue to walk through Lent with Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and with us with these short daily reflections for the coming week.
Sunday, April 2
“O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land.” – Ezekiel 37:14

Week 5: Daily reflections with Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
“I turned to my God and felt my confidence reanimated. If He takes away our last support, is it not because He wishes to be the sole support of His Daughters of the Woods?” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
• When has God remained faithful to me, even when all seemed hopeless?

Week 4: Daily Lenten reflections with Saint Mother Theodore
"Continue to be faithful yourself, my dear child.” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Week four daily Lenten reflections with Saint Mother Theodore

Volunteer Spotlight – Karen Hoffman
It (volunteering) is such a rewarding experience – your payment is the smile on the lonely person’s face. The smallest effort can help ease someone’s burden when they are being crushed by the pains of life.

Week 3: Walking through Lent with Saint Mother Theodore
Join us for week 3 of walking through Lent with Saint Mother Theodore Guerin with these short daily reflections.
“Do your utmost to be recollected at the time of prayer. There you will obtain all the graces you need … You will also obtain humility to see your faults without being vexed and discouraged. With a little good will you will become perfect at last.” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

