Sisters excursions from HOME (Helping Ourselves Meaningfully Engage)

Katie Harich, together with a team of dedicated volunteers, arranged the outings pictured here. These “field trips” are one part of Katie’s responsibilities in her role as the well-being coordinator for the Sisters of Providence HOME (Helping Ourselves Meaningfully Engage) initiative.

Katie directs the HOME team’s efforts to create a culture at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods that encourages, supports and nurtures the value of each person. In particular, the HOME team members work to meaningfully engage our beloved elders, especially those with dementia, so that all will thrive as much as possible.

Katie Harich and Sisters Mary Lois Hennel and Theresa Clare Carr wave down from inside the world’s largest mailbox in Casey, Illinois.

Volunteer NaKea Anderson and Sister Suzanne Buthod ham it up on a visit to the Clabber Girl museum.

On the bus and ready to go: from left Sisters Suzanne Smith, Betty Koressel, Florence Norton and Ruth Ellen Doane.

Sister Laurine Haley relaxes at a picnic table at Deming Park.

Sisters Teresa Costello, Suzanne Buthod and Ann Stephen Stouffer atop the playground equipment at Deming Park

Sisters, volunteers and staff pose outside the bus during an excursion.

Katie Harich helping Sister Mary Lois Hennel take her first selfie at the age of 90.

From left, Sisters Rosemary Borntrager, Suzanne Buthod, Joan Mary Schaefer and Suzanne Smith enjoy a piece of pie at the Pie Company.

Sister Joan Matthews gets down for a good look at a stuffed badger at the Dobbs Park nature center.

Sisters Rita Clare Gerardot and Joann Quinkert try their hand at corn hole by Saint Joseph’s Lake

Sisters line up to get ice cream on their visit to Casey, Illinois.

A visit to the Grand Traverse Pie Company.

Sister Barbara Doherty, right, playing corn hole.

Sister Barbara Doherty enjoying the Dobbs Park Native Museum.

Sisters Jane Gibson and Jenny Howard enjoy a game of cornhole.

Sisters enjoy the view from the park pier in Terre Haute.

Sister Teresa Costello enjoying a game of bouncy ball.