
- 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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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.

Special Retreat ‘treats’
Please enjoy two additional special gifts from the 2021 HOME retreat planning committee.

Earth Day Every Day: Earth Defenders unite
Although we have not been able to have our normal Earth Day celebration this year, we want to take this week to highlight and celebrate some of our Earth Day partners in our community and give them the opportunity to share their stories about the exciting things they are doing and other helpful tips they have.

Journals and Letters week 29: Letters to a beloved companion
Judging from her letters to Sister Basilide, Mother Theodore had a special love for “this good and dear” sister. That love demonstrated itself in Mother Theodore’s words of caution, gentle criticism and frank admonishments — always accompanied by words of affection and encouragement.

Celebrating our Volunteers!
'It’s as simple as that. I love doing what I do.'

Parish and senior ministry during a pandemic
The meals have proven to be a Eucharistic action. One recipient hadn’t had home cooked meals in years. Wheelchair bound and unable to use a stove or oven safely limited his cooking, so his meals had largely consisted of microwavable frozen meals. Now he gets a home-cooked meal twice a month and gets to visit with the parishioner who delivers it.

Earth Day Every Day: What smoking and climate change have in common
We’re on the front lines of perhaps the biggest battle of our lives: climate change and the need to dramatically reduce carbon emissions by shifting energy generation from fossil fuels to renewables like solar and wind. Again, vested interests in the coal, oil and gas industries have undertaken major campaigns for decades now to preserve their industries.

Journals and Letters week 28: Death of the bishop
So impressed with the holiness of the bishop’s death, she reminds the sisters, “Especially let us never forget that if we wish to die like the Saints, we must live like them.”

Getting hyped up for Scrabble!
“I believe it’s like riding a bike. We’ll get right back into it with no trouble at all. And I can’t wait!”

Earth Day Every Day: Follow the cabbage
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the food system so I’ve chosen just one crop to follow, from seed to plate.

Journals and Letters week 27: Dawn of a new era
In these letters we read Mother Theodore’s first-hand account of all the changes that happened toward the end of Bishop de la Hailandière’s tenure as Bishop of Vincennes.

My journey with Providence
After my second visit to the Woods, she asked me, “Do you know anything about Providence Associates?” I was not familiar with an associate relationship with the Sisters of Providence. She invited me to consider becoming one. She provided me with information and brochures. Mostly, she provided me with encouragement and this excitement and enthusiasm about her community and its mission.

Earth Day Every Day: How land, animals, plants and poop are all connected
It all starts when our alpacas lift their tails. A journey begins that has a shared ending: the restoration of our land.
