Stories about

Stories from the Archives

Often, some of the most interesting pieces of history are lost in time. These inviting stories are drawn from the Sisters of Providence Archives and the memories of sisters and friends. They feature the many people and places instrumental in the Sisters of Providence history.

Blog

A ‘Happy Endings’ update on St. Joseph’s Lake

We told you the beginning and middle of the story and asked you to write a happy ending. You did!

Sisters of Providence
March 18, 2021
Contribute, Providence Spirituality, Stories from the Archives
2

Features

Quietly breaking boundaries, creating hope

Few would probably imagine Sister Suzanne running for public office, supervising an adult education program or traveling through South America on her last dollar.

Sister Janet Gilligan
January 13, 2021
Sisters in Ministry, Stories from the Archives
1

Blog, Features

Journals and Letters week 12: Hardship and consolation

The reading picks up after the fire at Saint Mary’s destroyed the barns and granary, other provisions and all the farm equipment.

Sister Ann Casper
December 26, 2020
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, SMTG Book Study, Stories from the Archives
10

Blog

Ask Sister Dina: Tell me about the ‘Gibson Girls’

The “Gibson Girls” were Sister James Maureen along with Sister Alice Jean and Sister Jane (who were also twins).

Sister Dina Bato
December 20, 2020
Community Living, Stories from the Archives
1

Blog

Journals and Letters week 10: First letters, bishop issues

As she goes on, we get a feel for more of the distress coming the sisters’ way from the bishop. “So far there has been nothing but complaints about us,” she writes.

Amy Miranda
December 12, 2020
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, SMTG Book Study, Stories from the Archives
6

Blog

‘Against All Odds’ – Sister Clare Mitchell, SP

The necrology describes Sister Clare as a “gentle devoted religious, one very faithful to all her obligations. Many of the Sisters were very devoted to her, and this affection was noticeable even in their remembrance of her.”

Sister Maureen Abbott
November 13, 2020
Community Living, Providence Spirituality, Sisters in Ministry, Stories from the Archives

Blog

Journals and Letters week 5: The measure of the woman

Did the woman carry a yard stick? A surveyor’s measure? A folded up paper chart that converts leagues to miles, meters to inches or feet?

Sister Denise Wilkinson
November 7, 2020
Community Living, Providence Spirituality, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, SMTG Book Study, Stories from the Archives
20

Blog

Journals and Letters week 4: Arrival on U.S. soil

And then, as often happens in our darkest hours, the smallest of kindnesses can lift the spirits.

Sister Ann Casper
October 31, 2020
Community Living, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, SMTG Book Study, Stories from the Archives
17

Blog, Features

“Journals and Letters” week 3: At sea in 1840

I love the many instances where she studies and describes an animal for the reader. She tells of the whale's massive head, as big as a house. The dark brown color of its back and how it spouts out water apparently by respiration as its jets are so regular.

Amy Miranda
October 25, 2020
Community Living, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, SMTG Book Study, Stories from the Archives
15

Blog

To Mother Theodore and companions

You look on us amazed, as women will
at daughters growing generations after
them. We are all this century knows
of any value in your venturing
into a wilderness where Christ was
waiting for you …

Sister Thomas Jeanne Doriot
October 22, 2020
Community Living, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, Stories from the Archives
5

Blog, Features

“Journals and Letters” week 2: The voyage begins

The sea journey seems doomed from the moment they boarded. Thieves, seasickness and bad weather with the added addition of not speaking English and being on an “American” ship, all contribute to a wretched start.

Mary Riley
October 18, 2020
Community Living, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, SMTG Book Study, Stories from the Archives
8

Blog

Join us in reading the “Journals and Letters” of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

To celebrate Mother Theodore's life and many accomplishments that continue even today, we will be revisiting her own words by reading Journals and Letters over the course of a year. Each week we’ll read several pages and reacquaint ourselves with the woman who started it all. Won't you join us?

Mary Riley
October 11, 2020
Community Living, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, SMTG Book Study, Stories from the Archives
12

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