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.
From troubled teen to sister in medicine: Sister Barbara Battista
Who would think that a wild teenager, kicked out of her Catholic school her sophomore year, would end up a Sister of Providence? But that is part of Sister Barbara Battista’s story. From wild child to pharmacist to Physician Assistant, Sister Barbara’s story has some unexpected turns.
Sister Connie Kramer leads retreats for homeless
“It is very profound to me to watch God do for people what they cannot do for themselves,” Sister Connie Kramer says of her work offering retreats for people who are homeless in the Indianapolis area.
Love in action at Providence in the Desert
Providence in the Desert is about a lot more than teaching.
It’s about presence. It’s about caring. It’s about love and compassion.
It’s about calling a student during your down time in the middle of the day to quiz her on what she will need to know for her upcoming U.S. citizenship exam.
Sister Rosemary Ward honored as Outstanding Tutor of the Year
"I never expected to receive the award."
Former teacher influences a career in environmental law
When I took biology from sister she was still in the full habit, and I've recounted many times the vivid image I have of her rolling up her sleeves, hiking up her skirt and tucking it in to her waist (she looked like she had big pantaloons) so she could lead us up and down the creek bed to explore and take samples.
Fuqua Park evolves
Sister Jean Fuqua's decades-long task of revisioning the area around St. Joseph's Lake at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and calling others forward to help has resulted in restoration of the habitat and a beautiful space for the sisters to enjoy.
Sister Ruth Johnson: kinship with creation
"We have forced the planet to supply all our needs and given nothing in return — thus alienating our very life source and now the earth cries out in pain. How can we abandon that cry?"
Ecological pioneer teacher leaves lasting impression
“[Sister Helen Jean] taught all of us … a way of thinking and living in a much bigger world than most of us had experienced before. Caring for each other, the earth and people we would never know was as normal as breathing to Sister Helen.” — Julia Boarini Conaghan, ’73
Cherishing creation
"Our promise in this time is to be God’s loving care for all creation, to be one of the ways God sustains life. We desire to live in right relationship with our Earth and with all that dwells on Earth."
Sister Helen Vinton: environmental virtuoso in the bayous
“Sister Helen is truly one of the most amazing community organizers with whom I have ever worked. The threads in her life and her Sister of Providence perspective on breaking boundaries and creating hope have made her a perfect fit for Southern Mutual Help Association.”