


Our Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are passionate about serving God by caring for all God’s creation, especially those most in need. We serve in many ways, from education to social justice, parish ministry, hospital ministry, serving the economically poor, advocating for immigrants and for a healthy environment. Read how some of our sisters serve God and others through their ministries.

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.

Three Sisters of Providence and two Providence Associates joined the Terre Haute community in speaking out against inequality on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Despite challenges of social distancing, we added our voices at the March for CommUNITY in Terre Haute, Indiana. Black Lives Matter! How are you adding your voice?

We thought this story shared by Sister Florence Norton illustrates how special the relationship with a teacher can be, even after many years!

It was a powerful reflection writing what I would take and how I would say goodbye to those I loved.

Also wanting to help others, I searched my soul. Stretching his idea of comfort from music, I thought of other arts: poetry, other writing, painting, and so on. Then it struck me: weaving!

I stay because I believe God in me is calling me to look for/be open to an abundance of possibility – to follow in our foundress’ footsteps and rely on the Providence of God for our needs and wisdom to utilize our gifts for the common good

The willingness of the Providence Health Care staff to forgo the efficiency of a set schedule in favor of a more spontaneous model of care speaks volumes for their commitment to recognizing and respecting the dignity and individuality of persons in their care.

“Who wants to go in a prison?” Sister Dorothy lamented. “We were scared. We were afraid.”
After a brief pause, Sister Dorothy said, “It was ignorance and fear that made us scared.” Sister Dorothy tells of more than 40 years of prison ministry.

She heard their stories of abuse, of problems with their children, of anxiety about their immigration status. Many of them needed professional counseling, but this was almost impossible for poor families who had no insurance and were struggling with English. Sister Patty came to see that her greatest missionary opportunity now was not in Africa, Peru or Taiwan, but in her own backyard.


For Sister Winifred Patrice, the hardships, the dire conditions, the personal inconveniences and suffering were endured as a missionary for the spread of the Gospel to all corners of the world and for the salvation of souls.

“I am so grateful to all those I have had the privilege to meet in this ministry of hope and healing."