
- 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
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Providence Spirituality
“The God of Providence carries the entire mystery of the divine, ever trustworthy, never failing. The God of Providence offers all the possibilities for ourselves and the world, including both what God wants to happen and what God is willing to let happen because God honors the gift of human freedom. The choices are ours — truly free, but ever grounded in the grace of God, the Holy Mystery of Providence, about which there is ever more to be discovered.” – Sister Ruth Eileen Dwyer
Mercy
The Sisters of Providence and our Providence Associates have a natural affinity for The Holy Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. This Holy Year begins December 8, 2015 and ends November 20, 2016. Pope Francis states in his proclamation…

A Providence Advent Calendar
The Providence Advent calendar here begins with the first Sunday of Advent and uses quotes of Sisters of Providence (SP) and Providence Associates (PA) found on the SP website and in other PA and SP materials. May it help you enter into this season with reflections and actions for each day of Advent! You might want to keep an Advent journal to capture your reflections.

In the moment
This holiday season let’s look around us. Let’s open our hearts and look deeply into our world, into its heartbreak. Let’s look into the eyes of our loved ones and let them know we love them.

Compassion for Earth
“Conference of the Parties,” organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) will take place in Paris from Nov. 30-Dec. 11

Thanksgiving Reflection
If you Google “thanksgiving day” as I did, be prepared for a wide variety of articles, Wikipedia entries and “further references.”

Becoming a Providence Associate
“Every step of the process from orientation to meeting my companions to the year of study has affirmed that Providence, though unexpected and unbidden, is alive and well and welcome in my life. The Sisters of Providence are an amazing order of women religious. I have found camaraderie, companionship, compassion, laughter and wisdom in each one I have met. I want to be like them when I grow up.” Beth Weis, Chicago, Illinois. 26 new Providence Associates of the Sisters of Providence made first commitments last Saturday. They share some of that journey here in their own words.

My friends, the saints
We are used to thinking of saints in the past tense. It seems incredible that saints might walk among us today, but they do. What do they do that the rest of us don’t? Not much, really. Sainthood is less a way of doing than a way of being. As Mother Theodore said, “Let us never forget that if we wish to die like the Saints, we must live like them. "

Reinventing ourselves as Sisters of Providence
So, I ask myself, why would I want to retire when there are still so many possibilities of God’s Providence yet to enjoy just beyond the next horizon? It’s a no-brainer – I will just keep on listening to God’s invitations and saying “yes!”

On spirituality and aging
Our spirituality is about living our experience of God. We do not “change” spirituality and put on a different one for aging, a different one for work. We don’t change spirituality like we change clothing. Living our experience of God is influenced by each of our temperaments. By our social, financial, educational, denominational and cultural context. And that experience of God, that spirituality, affects our daily living.

Devotion at a global level: Sister Mary Rita Griffin
Sister Mary Rita Griffin is a person who radiates passion and takes her ministry to heart. Her role as Our Lady of Providence shrine coordinator, which she took on in July of 2014, is no exception to her single-hearted character.
“I have been amazed by the rich friendships that are happening through my role all centered on Our Lady of Providence,” Sister Mary says. “It’s a growing role for me as more people share their love for her, and I love the international flavor of it.”

‘Change our politics and not just our policies’
Sisters Arrianne Whittaker, Mary Mundy offer perspective of Nuns on the Bus stops
Running in the dark
Sister Tracey reflects on the experience of running in the dark and what it teaches her about community: "As silly as I knew my fear of the dark was...the knowledge of other bouncing lights was so hopeful to me in those pre-dawn moments."
