- About
-
-
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.
-
-
- Justice
-
-
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.
-
-
- Be inspired
-
-
What inspires you?
We all need a little spiritual inspiration sometimes. Let the wisdom of our Providence Community support you on your journey.
-
-
- Visit
-
-
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.
-
-
- Get involved
-
-
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.
-
-
- Join
-
-
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.
-
-
- Prayer Requests
- Contact us
- Donate

As seen in HOPE
Here you will find wonderful content from the Sisters of Providence. The articles here all appeared in HOPE magazine. The Sisters of Providence publish HOPE three times a year to share the mission, spirituality and ministries of the Sisters of Providence. Enjoy!

Touched by the Woods for a lifetime
I know there’s something about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods that sets it apart from other places — it’s holy ground. It feels like home and it keeps drawing me back.

St. Anne Shell Chapel needs restoration
Water damage to the foundation has caused the walls to bow outward. If we do nothing neither the shells nor this historic building will last for future generations to admire.

St. Anne Shell Chapel: holy ground
St. Anne’s Shell Chapel is one of the most well-known structures at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The unique interior of this tiny building is covered floor to ceiling with shells from the Wabash River.

Providence Associate and former Sister of Providence Donna Watzke shares about her journey
I was a Sister of Providence for 33 years. For me, being a Sister of Providence was a transformative experience.

Weaving alpaca yarn: a productive and beautiful hobby
Precise, mathematical, purposeful. All words that describe Sister Jean Fuqua, SP — and her art.

Gifts to Foley Legacy Fund support the underserved, SP mission
Funding for a second social worker was described as “a game changer for our community,” at Providence Cristo Rey High School (PCR) in Indianapolis, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence. “The money enables PCR to have social worker personnel available to provide staff, parents and students a better understanding of factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health) affecting a student’s performance and behavior, crucial understandings for the low-income students and families that we serve.”

Newsnotes from HOPE summer 2023
Volunteers stitch their way into our hearts Charla Evinger and Cheryl Murphy are co-owners of Mamas Mending in Marshall, Illinois, and also volunteers extraordinaire for the Sisters of Providence. When the Congregation’s faithful mender and alteration expert Sister Margaret Heese…

Giving new life to plastic shopping bags
Retired Sisters of Providence in the Lourdes Hall Assisted Living Residence of Providence Health Care are transforming plastic grocery and shopping bags into warm sleeping mats. Homeless residents of the Terre Haute area can use these to stretch out and sleep on at night.

Sister Carolyn Bouchard’s woodshop: a place of creativity and prayer
“Woodworking is a kind of metaphor for ways I have always sought out and found God,” Sister Carolyn said. “What I do with wood I have done in many other ways throughout my personal and ministerial life."

Tales of unexpected blessings
“Who knew that I would be calling my cane ‘an unexpected blessing?’ But I have come to realize what a friend it is!”

Giving the gift of self: Sister Carol Meyers
Now ministering as a parish volunteer and parish council member, literacy tutor and Montessori school substitute, Sister Carol proudly notes that she has taught as a full-time teacher at every level from elementary school through college except for the high school level.

Growing the gift of flowers
While receiving flowers is a gift, growing them knowing they might make someone’s day a bit brighter is definitely a blessing.