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.
Sister Anna Fan hopes that as a novice, her “spiritual life can grow deeper and wider”.
Editor’s note: Sister Anna (Tsai Ping) Fan entered her Canonical Novice year with the Sisters of Providence on Aug. 2. She requested of the Congregation, “I ask to be accepted into the Novitiate to deepen my formation into the charism…
Sister Tracey decides to “roll and trust the gravity of grace” as an SP novice
Sister Tracey Horan shares her experience as a postulant with the Sisters of Providence formation community.
Hospitality remains a strong charism of the SPs
Hospitality has always been an honored tradition and important part of the Sisters of Providence charism.
What are you reading these days?
Check out Mary's Pence 2015 'Summer Reading List'
Sisters honor elders with ‘90s Party!’
More than 30 sisters and guests recognized at party
Enriching the lives of the elderly: Susan Dinnin
“I view those for whom I care as more than clients – they are friends, persons in whose lives I am invested. I assist them with their physical needs but I also pray with them, bring them Eucharist, and have good conversations with them about whatever interests them at that moment,” Sister Susan Dinnin says of the elderly individuals of who she helps provide in-home care.
Sister Judy Birgen: parenting SP style
Sister Judy Birgen has helped raise Bry’Chell Johnson for the past 10 years. What is it like growing up with a Sister of Providence as a parent figure? Bry’Chell and Sister Judy share their story.
Ministry helps older adults not get lost in the parish community
“This ministry aims to provide support to those who are aging into the second half of life by expanding, deepening and nurturing the spiritual dimensions of their lives. My hope is we can companion persons offering spiritual and grief support during various transitions in preparation for the final transition into eternal life,” said Sister Carole Kimes of her ministry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Carmel, Indiana.
Sister Kathleen on the pages of Rolling Stone magazine
Did you read the feature that quoted Sister Kathleen Desautels in Rolling Stone? As a sister on the forefront of social justice issues in the church and society, Sister Kathleen sometimes shows up in unexpected places.
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.
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.
On policing and Providence
Sister Pat, a volunteer with the Chicago Police Department on the south side of the city, says this is not the first time she has taken a non-traditional path. “It’s another way to be God’s presence in the community,” says Sister Pat Mahoney of her many years working as a community volunteer with her local police station in Chicago.