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.
At Providence St. Mel, we believe …
I recently had the opportunity to visit Providence St. Mel School (PSM) on Chicago’s West Side. If you’re not familiar with the school and the good work that goes on there, spend some time browsing the website to learn about the school.…
Movies that stay with you
After not going to the “real” movies in more than six months, I’ve been twice in the past six days – once to see “Iron Lady” and once to see “The Descendants.” In spite of the many less than positive…
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…
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.…
Grace
Most people who have spent much time at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods have a favorite season here. Mine is winter. Actually, in January, it’s winter. In April, spring will be my favorite. In July … well, you get the point. Recently, I had…
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…
‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ takeaways
I spent a little time over the Christmas holidays with my goddaughter’s 2-year-old son, Jax. As a consequence, I watched quite a bit of “Thomas the Tank Engine;” and I am now familiar with the various personalities and idiosyncrasies of…
Father Dan raises a village
It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes Father Dan Hopcus to raise a village at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Father Dan (pictured, at left), chaplain for the Sisters of Providence, welcomed sisters and staff members to his…
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s original log cabin church nears completion
Do you want to pray? Do you want to experience a little history? Do you want to sit quietly in a peaceful, natural place? The new old cabin at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods might be just the place for you. The Sisters…
Sister Mary Evangelista, Jessye the Cat, and Advent Waiting
A number of years ago, when she was well into her nineties, Sister Mary Evangelista Herber (RIP) told me that she had decided to learn to wait. Her life involved a good deal of waiting, she reported. She had never…
Sister Diane Ris publishes new book about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Picture this: A Sister of Providence hovered over a desk in her writing room. A candle swaying delicately through currents of air as the sister works intently on her project. Sound familiar? Saint Mother Theodore Guerin did that when she documented events in…
Sister Dorothy Gartland receives Guerin Outreach Ministries Leadership and Advocacy Award
Congratulations to Sister Dorothy Gartland for receiving the third annual Guerin Outreach Ministries Leadership and Advocacy Award. “If you live long enough and continue to work, somebody will eventually give you an award,” laughed the ever-humble Sister Dorothy upon receiving…
