
- 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
- Contact us
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Community Living
Community: a place for sharing, love, acceptance, support. A place to be challenged, to be strengthened. For Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, living in community and being part of a larger spiritual community are integral to life. Are you seeking community? Become a Sister of Providence. Or join the larger community as a Providence Associate.

100+ year old sisters survive COVID-19
“She has a strong determination to live and has never let anyone do for her what she can do for herself.”

Take a deep breath: spiritual direction during pandemic
“Having Sister Marsha sit, listen, pray and offer her gentle guidance brings the matter up into the light. And once the struggle has been shown the light, the resolution begins.”

Sisters of Providence struggles and wisdom amidst pandemic
For many sisters, extended time in prayer has been both a coping mechanism and a time of real growth for them during the pandemic. Sister Joni Luna put it this way: “I find that if I fill my cup a few times a day by entering into this God space, it helps get me through the chaos and unpredictable events of my day.”

Cancer group honors Sister Mary Ryan
There were others in the group ‘who had walked in my shoes.’

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.

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!”

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.

Thank you for a joy-filled week
Your response of more than 175 messages certainly went far beyond our expectations and indeed brightened many a day!

When God plants a seed
It wasn’t until late 2018 when something shifted for me. The thought of being a religious sister changed from unthinkable to an invitation worth considering.

Ashes from the pandemic fire: a reflection for Ash Wednesday 2021
So here we are today with no ashes for our foreheads. Yet it does feel like we are holding a handful of ashes from this past year. We are holding what is left of our lives from this transformation by a pandemic fire. So, I’d like to have us take a moment of quiet to hold in our imaginations these ashes … the experiences of loss, of change, of challenge, of purification, whatever this year has been for you.

Sigh … it’s Lent again
I usually don’t mind the Lenten season; it’s just that I feel as if we’ve been “doing Lent” for the past year! Sigh!

Leadership statement: OUTBREAK of COVID-19 at Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
We ask that people continue to pray for all people who have been afflicted with this virus and affected by the pandemic.
