Sunlit winter at the Woods

We were blessed this winter with the perfect combination of winter beauty and sunlight at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, the motherhouse grounds for the Sisters of Providence. It’s amazing how snow can highlight things in nature that you wouldn’t pay attention to, otherwise. Enjoy!

Female alpaca barn decorated for Christmas.

Woodhaven is the newest residence for sisters at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. It is located where the old gymnasium used to be.

In spring and summer, you can’t easily make out the ramp that reaches into the wetland conservation area. The snow highlights the path easily today.

Sturdy red brick and decorative architecture bring out the beauty of this old building, complete with de-commissioned smoke stacks.

It’s as if the sun was a spotlight on this Mary statue today, bringing out the beautiful detail.

This lane is used mainly by maintenance vehicles but was brought to the forefront today with all the snow. It is definitely the “path less traveled”.

There are few more beautiful places at the Woods in winter than the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes. Sun is highlighting the overhead branches.

This gourd serves as a bird house across from Hulman Hall on the campus of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, near the SP Administration Building.

The sisters have a maintenance person who repairs many of their vehicles at this garage located on the motherhouse grounds. Again, beautiful brick and design were highlighted by the sun this morning.

The entrance of the Church of the Immaculate Conception was renovated and made handicapped-accessible in 2016, thanks to many generous donors. A beautiful site, even in winter!

This O’Shaughnessy Dining Hall window just happens to capture the steam from the plant, as well as a snapshot of the main church steeple. Reflection is a powerful thing!

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is visible behind the outer walls of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, with its cross visible on the roof.

The Sisters of Providence cemetery looks especially peaceful bathed in snow and sun.

A bench furnished by one of our many donors sits in Providence Park, waiting for someone willing to brave the cold.

The alpaca barn with wood-burning heat warmly nestles the female herd. They can be seen outside eating and romping around as temperatures permit.