Stories about

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.

Features

Sister Barbara Doherty: A Sister of Providence icon living with dementia

So many people hold so many great memories of Sister Barbara. Yet for Sister Barbara memory is the challenge. In 2010 Sister Barbara was diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer’s and vascular types.

Amy Miranda
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Community Living, Contribute, Health & Wellness
4

Features

A view from the other side of health care

On July 7, 2017, I experienced an event that changed my life. During heart surgery for mitral valve repair, I had a stroke. It was completely unexpected, leaving me in a situation I never imagined and for which I was completely unprepared.

Sister Ann Margaret O'Hara
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Community Living, Health & Wellness
2

Features

Sister Eileen Rose Bonner: A spiritual and emotional support to neighbors

Now she spends her retirement years preparing food for shut-ins, working with the parish bereavement committee and tutoring students in English as a second language.

Sister Janet Gilligan
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Community Living, Contribute, Sisters in Ministry
3

Features

Sister Donna Marie Fu: Called by God to serve a global church

Sister Donna Marie feels she experienced such a fulfilling life in answering her own call to offer her life to God. She continues to encourage that call in other young women. She regrets that political circumstances have prevented others from following a similar path.

Sister Maureen Abbott
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Become a Sister, Community Living, Mission in Asia, Sisters in Ministry

Features

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin moment: Funding God’s mission

Catholic sisters are funded by the Catholic Church, right? Actually, no; although many Catholics and non-Catholics alike hold this misconception.

Amy Miranda
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Community Living, Contribute, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Features

Sister Kathleen Dede: Reaching out in love right where you are

Yes, our sisters minister wherever they are, long after they pass retirement age. Somehow, Providence leads them to critical unmet needs to which they can respond. For Sister Kathleen, it’s being a face of Providence in healthcare.

Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Community Living, Contribute, Sisters in Ministry
2

Features

Sister Gloria Memering: Bringing the music

Until Sister Gloria’s retirement in 2011, all but five years were spent teaching music in schools and engaging in parish music ministry.

William Hughes
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Community Living, Sisters in Ministry

Features

Sister Ann Casper: holding nothing back in her service

But when people point out she is still doing too much, she often responds with the wise words of her friend, Sister Jeanne Knoerle, “What are we saving ourselves for?”

Mary Riley
June 15, 2020
As seen in HOPE, Community Living, Contribute

Blog, Reflections

A reflection for Feast of Pentecost 2020

God calls us today to do what the disciples did 2,000 years ago – to create communities of love

Sister Dawn Tomaszewski
May 31, 2020
Advocacy & Action, Community Living, Contribute, Peace & Justice, Providence Spirituality, Reflections from Sister Dawn
5

Blog

A reflection for Memorial Day 2020

The first words of these young Marines were invariably a plea to know if their buddy had been picked up.

Sister Patricia Linehan
May 25, 2020
Advocacy & Action, Community Living, Peace & Justice, Providence Spirituality, Stories from the Archives
17

Blog

Musings on wearing and making masks

Let's take our place then in a long history of mask wearers and mask makers. Let our masks keep ourselves and our neighbors safe and well.

Sister Denise Wilkinson
May 21, 2020
Advocacy & Action, Community Living, Contribute, Education, Peace & Justice, Providence Spirituality
6

Blog, Features

Reflecting on Crises with Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

"My very dear and beloved Daughters … I have confidence that God will not permit any of you to be attacked by the epidemic. Be cheerful, kind to one another; having nothing on your conscience that could trouble you. Do not fast. Let your food be wholesome and well prepared."

Sister Jan Craven
May 13, 2020
Community Living, Providence Associates, Providence Spirituality, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
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Love, mercy, justice

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