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.
A look at the life and ministries of Sister Mary Raymond Schelkopf
'I don't ever remember not being peaceful.'
Sister Marceline looks back on the richness of 84 years as a woman religious
I am mostly pre-Vatican II but I was excited to enter the modern world. I didn’t sit back. I was open to the evolving religious life and because of openness I was able to do many new things.
Restlessness led to liberation as a woman religious
During my early years in our formation process (nun training), I had to practice responding not reacting. Take a few deep breaths and ask for clarification. Begin a dialogue, not a monologue. Find some level of commonality and move from that point. Bring some sense of hope to situations that seem insurmountable.
Seeking inner peace to create a more peaceful world: a young sister reflects
In seeking greater unity, we started on our own doorsteps. We were all women religious who wear common clothing similar to those around us. But women religious come in all clothing types. There has been a historical division between those who chose to remain in their habits and those who chose to shed their habits following the Second Vatican Council. Similarly, approaches to authority and the vow of obedience differ greatly, and often line up with differences in dress. Conversation throughout the weekend focused on bridging those historical divisions and developing strategy that allows for true collaboration.
Teaching, healing and loving as a Sister of Providence
My teaching experience took me to different schools in different cities and towns where I met and fell in love with more children. Teaching double grades and constantly working on meeting the individual needs continued to challenge me.
Then it came time for me to dust the chalk off my hands, put myself confidently in the hands of Providence and change the focus of my “mission.” I became a hospital chaplain. Like teaching, I loved this work
Being a Sister of Providence means …
What do you know about the Sisters of Providence today? Ever wish you had a way to tell your friends and family about the SPs? In this Congregation video, you’ll get a glimpse into how we strive to honor Divine Providence…
Inclusion means joining the conversation
The only way we can bridge that which divides us is through encounter. We must seek ways of listening to understand rather than listening to respond. That is why I chose to stand up publicly for a culture of civility and inclusion at our own Gathering in Solidarity at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods last Saturday. That is why I refused to let one point of disagreement with March organizers exclude me from participating in standing up for the very foundation of society: civil, respectful discourse. Similarly, that is why I participated in calling to task the organizers for excluding others based on one point of disagreement.
Blessed and encouraged to act justly, love tenderly
My favorite Scipture passage is Micah 6:8: “Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with your God.” My parents, Lillian and Henry Gerardot, exemplified this passage by the way they lived. Mom not only cared for the ten of us but also her…
A life of joy serving on the streets
I love being on the street with the people. I am not afraid of any situation I’m faced with out on the street — teaching 8th grade and being principal for so many years trained me well!
Prayerful reflections from the Gathering in Solidarity event
At the Gathering in Solidarity at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, hundreds gathered with the Sisters of Providence to support advancing human rights for all people on Saturday, Jan. 21. Sisters Tracey Horan and Joni Luna, women who are in formation with…
Women marching as a sign of hope
The Women’s March on Washington is not one group. It is not one unified effort. Participants are attending despite differences of opinion on specific platform items. Women are coming together to say that their voices deserve to be part of the conversation, that the principles of respect and unity are more important than precise uniformity.