Sisters in Ministry
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.
Poetry can tickle a funny bone!
'The skirt and the jacket were parted one day ...'
Find your cause for celebration
“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.”
Mercy in Islam
In this small glimpse of mercy in Islam, we reflect the hope of Pope Francis that this Jubilee year will “foster an encounter,” “open us to even more fervent dialogue” and “eliminate every form of closed-mindedness” toward Islam, Judaism, and “other noble religious traditions.” Inshallah! (God willing!)
Video blog: What is a Providence Associate?
"It's a rewarding walk; a deeper inner journey."
Imperfect mercy
I realized that in both stories, Jesus was open and vulnerable enough to allow others to call him to mercy. In the end, when it came to choosing mercy or sticking with his original plan, Jesus did not dig his heels in based on his own sense of the “right time” or the “right people.”
Grieving gracefully into a future full of hope
Saint Mother Theodore once said, “Treat yourself as you treat others, with kindness and indulgence.” I firmly believe that, above all, to comfort oneself or another involves being gentle with oneself or another. It means allowing grief to be a teacher who reminds us that we are wired for resilience. We are meant to find meaning and purpose in life.
Forgiveness and mercy
Forgiveness is a process, and a slow one at that. We cannot rush forgiveness. If we do it becomes insincere. It takes time, patience and mercy and it is never an easy journey to make.
Dare to be merciful
“You persistently encourage us to build not destroy, … to have mercy towards the one we see as least deserving or the one who has hurt us deeply and to love, love, love and love more.” Sister Denise Wilkinson dares us to look more deeply at mercy in our lives.
Feeding neighbors in need
“Our clients always speak words of gratitude,” Sister Joseph said of her ministry at Providence Food Pantry in West Terre Haute, Indiana. “That’s really a very uplifting feeling. This is unconditional love. That’s mercy. We see Christ in these people. We try to help in any way we can.”
Celebrating National Poetry Month!
Poetry is no stranger to courage when providing social critique that pierces complacency and challenges the status quo
Book review: The Other Couch
"The authors are in this book. They share their inner and affective responses with the reader and demonstrate clearly how the one in a position of “authority” (therapist, supervisor) authors the potential for healing. They offer it through their being with and not emotionally disconnected from." A book review by Sister Barbara Sheehan of "The Other Couch: Discovering Women’s Wisdom in Therapy" by Patricia Peters Martin, Ph.D. and Helene DeMontreux Houston, M.S., APRN.
A community of friends: the Providence Associate relationship
The spirituality of Providence tells us that all of life is interconnected, that all is holy, all is one. There was “oneness” in that room that day. I could see it AND feel it. I know the source is Providence.
Providence Associates are women and men of faith who choose to have an intentional relationship with the Sisters of Providence. They commit to sharing their own unique gifts and talents with others while walking with the Sisters of Providence. But they also walk with each other and that is making all the difference.
