Blog
Welcome to our blog. Here, we will share with you stories of our lives as Sisters of Providence. We invite Providence Associates to write in this space also. We hope you find these posts enjoyable and inspirational.
Surrounded by the dead
I always think of my maternal grandfather, Alex “Casey” Gutgsell, on Halloween. He was very German and very stern. But he also had a mischievous side.
As kids, we went first to “trick or treat” at my grandparents’ home. Someone always dressed up like a witch and wore a treasured, horrific mask to complete her costume.
Without fail, Grandpa Gutgsell would remove the mask from the little witch, put it on and proceed to scare us. It so delighted him and so annoyed my grandmother.
Mother Theodore was just here…
Mother Theodore is always present in our day-to-day lives. This fact was made all the more evident after attending the Saint Mother Theodore Fest this past weekend.
“The Promised Land of Providence”
Happy Foundation Day! 173 years ago today, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her five companions finally arrived in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. This lovely, old poem written by Sister Loretta Therese Bierman (1886-1919) tells of their first view of the “deep forest.”
Wherever one Sister of Providence is … we all are!
On Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 25, a large number of Sisters of Providence gathered in St. Joseph’s Chapel in Owens Hall to share in a simple prayer of “missioning” and blessing for Sisetr Arrianne Whittaker as she transitioned into her mission novice year.
Sister Arrianne shared these reflections:
“When I reflect on my experience of the missioning prayer ritual, it can be summed up in two words — sacred connection — a sacred time, in a sacred place, with a community of women who share a sacred spirit.
As we began the prayer service with our Prayer of Reunion I felt that sacred spirit surround me. I felt connected in a way I had not noticed before. Maybe it has slowly, unassumingly seeped into my bones over the past two and a half years, but this day it was very clear to me … I am a Sister of Providence!
Joyful experience in Taiwan
Two of the most privileged and sacred moments I enjoy in my ministry as general superior are receiving the vows of our newer members and praying the blessing prayer at the funeral of a deceased Sister of Providence. Each experience touches me deeply and evokes feelings of profound wonder and gratitude.
I’m thinking the above because I just returned from Taiwan and first profession of vows of one our Asian novices. What a joyful experience!
The sea is madre
Where can I run from your love? If I hide in the farthest corner of the sea, you are there, guiding me, protecting me from harm. The bottomless depth of your maternal love… The sea is madre. Sister Carol Nolan, who ministers in California, writes about her retreat near the Pacific Ocean.
Former student rescues sister from Florida accident; saves her life
Sister Ann Paula Pohlman and Sister Margaret Louise Bernard were planning a day of adventure at the Port of Tampa (Fla.) to see some tour ships that were open at the aquarium. Shortly after noon on March 15, 2013, they…
Casa San Juan Bosco in Florida now a full community
It must be something to see, Sister Cathy Buster muscling around a 26-foot U-Haul truck. She would never be mistaken for a husky football player. But, if you know her or know anything about her, you can see her doing…
Counseling brings Providence Family Services client from darkness to light
Help through counseling brings one woman's life from darkness to light. Sister Patty Fillenwarth and her ministry at Providence Family Services in Chicago help real people who have nowhere else to turn to transform themselves.
Coal tipple demolished
The coal tipple at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. was recently demolished. Read more about it on our blog.
Sister Denise’s “expert” Father’s Day reflections
Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior of the Sisters of Providence, talks to three SP staff about their experiences with fatherhood for the 2013 Father's Day Reflection.
Miracle Place – drop in for Hope
Driving down 10th Street in Indianapolis towards Temple, one sees the challenges of life that residents in this urban neighborhood face daily. A few houses and buildings seem deserted; others need repairs. At 940 North Temple, however, stands a bright…
