Read the recommitment statements written by PVM alumni during the 20th anniversary celebration in July 2008. We hope all PVM alumni would write their own recommitment statement.
Christina Blust ('06-'07)
This singer/songwriter will release her first full CD, Sudden Amaryllis, on Oct. 17 in Terre Haute. The public is invited to this free concert.
Learn more.
Kimberly Flash and Jennifer Hackett ('94-'95) met up last fall in Nashville, Tenn. Their children (a boy for Jennifer, a girl for Kimberly) were both born on Sept. 7, 2007.
Claire Wu (summer '08)
(From Luwingu, Zambia.) "I am doing great, but I can't get on internet very often. I am still keeping on writing my journals. I am working at an elementery school with 700 pupils which is founded by Salescian sisters. I got three african wrappers from the sisters. The weather here is great, even though now is winter I still wear shorts all the time. I am teaching drawing, PE and computer classes. African children are very different, different from children in Taiwan, USA, and any other developed countries. They are very beautiful. Everytime I look at them, I always feel facinated. Super big eyes, dark skin and their innocent smiles. I don't feel homesick and am not having any adjustment problems."
Best Wishes, Claire
Sister Donna Butler (former PVM director)
Sister Donna spent the weekend learning how to fly fish in Henryville, Ind., as a breast cancer survivor weekend event. "It was windy," she said.
Julie Pavuk ('05-'07)
Since January, Julie is doing an apprenticeship at City Slicker Farms in Oakland, Calif. She is the coordinator of the backyard garden program and works with and mentors inner-city folks on the hows and whys of growing and eating healthy foods.
In April, Julie did a radio interview with a Berkeley journalism student who was working on a story about backyards. Here's the link for listening (her portion is under "Let it Grow"): http://journalism.berkeley.edu/projects/radio/ngr/2009/04/28/backyard/#more-932
Jenny Hyatt ('07-'08)
Jenny was awarded a full-ride San Damiano scholarship to Marian College in Indianapolis for fall 2009.
Michelle Goetz ('07-'08)
Michelle was featured in the April 2009 Maryknoll Magazine (page 30 and in a group photo on the back cover). She is currently serving as a Maryknoll Missionary for three years in Bolivia.
Beth Bell Kyle ('00-'01)
Beth and her husband, Jason, gave birth to Zoe Ellen Ruth on Jan. 9, 2009. Also, Beth is a Sisters of Providence Associate.
Claire Wu (summer '08)
Claire graduated with a dual degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and Providence University in Taiwan on May 2, 2009. She is the first student to do this!
She will be volunteering in Africa through the Vide program after graduation.
Sarah DeMoor ('04-'05)
After Sept. I'll be in Colorado doing a couple internships and interviewing for residencies. It was so great to come back for the reunion and I'm really happy I was there. Always such a treat to come "home" and see everyone.
Caitlin Willard ('04-'05 and summer '07)
Posted Sept. 12, 2008: Hi Everyone! I found out this morning (July 16) that I passed the boards! Woohoo! Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers!! I'm so excited and relieved, and am now looking forward to a little break before I start my rotations in August. Hope you're all enjoying a wonderful summer! Take care, Caitlin
Laura Perticara ('07-'08)
Posted Sept. 12, 2008: I left for Montana about a month ago to work as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for a year working on a community food project. We are currently assessing what food is being produced and consumed in the Bitterroot Valley. We have surveys for schools, institutions, restaurants, individual consumers, and producers. We will compile our data to share with the community, hopefully by Feb or so. Our goals are to have a more secure and community-involved food system, to have more local food in the valley, and to make local food more accessible for everyone, including low-income people, seniors, and children.I have found an A Capella group. Come December, we will be traveling to Washington, D.C. with a Christmas tree from Montana. I'm very excited about the trip.
Mary Lach ('95-'96)
Posted Sept. 12, 2008: Greetings to you all: Just a note to let you know that we are in the midst of setting up housekeeping here in Coal Valley, Illinois. I just arrived after spending two months with my high school friend, Donna, in Indiana. I have lots to do to empty umpteen boxes and get rid of more stuff, but all in due time. It is hard to get use to the humidity again but I am sure we will acclimate in time. I hope all is well with you and yours. Love, Mary
LeSashea Feagin ('06 summer)
Posted May 20, 2008: Congratulations to LeSashea who graduated from Indiana State University on May 3! She will spend the next year with an AmeriCorps program in California tutoring children K-2.
Hannah Corbin ('06 summer)
Posted May 20, 2008: Hannah is a volunteer and board secretary for Earth Charter of Indiana. For a booth at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice's Earth Day celebration in April, Hannah created an electronic game that takes a question like "Why eat locally-produced foods?" and asks participants to pick the best answers in terms of the four principle Earth Charter values. It was popular with kids and their parents at the event!
Gwenola Faramus ('04-'05)
Gwenola, who lives in France, and her father visited Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Indianapolis Feb. 25-29. Gwenola ministered as a teacher's aide at Woods Day Care/Pre-school as a PVM, so it was wonderful to visit the daycare and see many of the Sisters of Providence (and the alpacas!) she has missed during the past few years.
Julie Pavuk ('05-'07)
Posted Feb. 20, 2008: Julie moved to the San Francisco Bay area in January. She is living and working in an intentional community in the tradition of the Catholic Workers/Dorothy Day called the Oakland Catholic Worker.
Sara Kolb ('04-'05)
Posted Dec. 20, 2007: Sara is traveling to Taiwan during winter break with her old roommate, as they have a mutual friend teaching English in Taipei. She will be visiting St. Theresa Opportunity Center.
Sister Mary Montgomery, Gwenola and her father during their February visit to Indiana from France.
Gwenola Faramus ('04-'05)
Posted Dec. 20, 2007: Thank you very much for the invitation to the big 20th anniversary celebration. That's a great idea ... unfortunately I don't think I will be able to be there. Gwenola is trying to arrange a trip to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in February.
Marcie Eanes ('94-'95)
Posted Nov. 27, 2007: Marcie moved back to Wisconsin in November. She asks for prayers as she pursues journalistic opportunities in the midwest and becomes re-acquainted with family and friends.
Sarah Scheibe (’06-’07)
Posted Sept. 5, 2007: Sarah accepted a position as coordinator of social justice at Cathedral of the Assumption Parish in Louisville, Ky., where Sister of Providence Lisa Stallings is director of worship.
Christina Blust (’06-’07)
Updated Nov. 27, 2007: Christina traveled with the Sisters of Providence Nov. 16-19 to march for the closure of the former School of Americas (SOA).
Posted Sept. 5, 2007: Christina accepted a position as graphic designer/photography coordinator in the marketing and development offices of the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in August. She’s settling into her new Terre Haute apartment.
Dorothy Brown (November-December '01)
Posted July 27, 2007: Dorothy lives in Greencastle, Ind., where she is a house mother at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at Depauw University. Active in the community, Dorothy is a tour guide for the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce. She is past president of Kiwanis, shares her musical talents, and volunteers for the NAACP, Putnam County Museum and several other organizations.
Mary Lach ('95-'96)
Posted July 27, 2007: I have arrived in Colorado. It is great to be with family again and all are healthy and happy. My friend Donna and I made the 1225 mile drive in two and a half days without any problems. I once again have an appreciation for the vastness, variety, and beauty of our country. The house is beautiful but it will take a while to get unpacked and settled.The mountains are in view and beckoning, but I will await some acclimatization before I head for the hills. The kids have me huffing and puffing just playing table tennis. I have been able to get to daily Mass and am going to different churches before I make decision to register.
Kevin Hunter (January-December '02)
Posted July 27, 2007: Franciscan Brother of Peace Patrick (Kevin) Hunter professed temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on Oct. 4, 2006, at the community's chapel at Queen of Peace Friary in St. Paul, Minn.
Brother Patrick was at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in July 2007 to attend Sister Patty Wallace's profession of first vows as a Sister of Providence.
Patty Wallace, ('02-'03)
Updated Nov. 27, 2007: Sister Patty participated in the School of Americas (SOA) march Nov. 16-18 in Georgia.
Posted July 26: Patty professed first vows as a Sister of Providence on July 1 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods! She begins her second year as the school librarian at St. Andrew/St. Rita School in Indianapolis in mid-August. Former PVMs Kevin Hunter (now Brother Patrick), Kim Knoblock, Hannah Corbin and Sister Mary Montgomery, former PVM director, attended the ceremony and luncheon following. Click here for photos.
Jenny Wehinger, ('06-'07)
Posted July 26, 2007: It has been a great experience so far, living and working with the sisters of Green Mountain Monastery. I can't believe how much I've been fed and have grown spiritually. And the experiences I've had have been amazing!
I had the rare opportunity to travel with Sister Gail and Sister Bernadette to help work at a conference in Van Couver for two weeks and a chance to visit/meet Father Thomas Berry - the founder/mentor of this community. Not to mention all the friends and supporters from around here - this community (the town) is amazing also, they are all so friendly, open and inviting. Vermont is a great place!
My next step is to return to Colorado, to visit family and friends and continue my discernment process.
Sarah DeMoor, ('04-'05)
Posted July 26, 2007: "I passed!" Six weeks ago I was asking for prayers as I studied for Step 1 of my Boards and now I just wanted to pass on the good news that I passed!!! Thanks for everyone's thoughts, support, etc.
I'm now three weeks into my first third-year rotation. I did two weeks of cardiothoracic surgery and am now doing orthopedic surgery then I will have a month of general surgery. It's very exciting stuff and I'm able to be in the operating room pretty much everyday. Take care and God bless!
Caitlin Willard (’04-’05)
Posted July 2, 2007: Caitlin returned to Providence Volunteer Ministry at Saint Ann Clinic in Terre Haute for six weeks last summer.
Sara Kolb ('04-'05)
Posted June 2007: I have decided to go to Washington University in the fall for occupational therapy school. This is in St. Louis, MO. I was very impressed with the fact that they have a separate campus for the medical programs and there are 3-4 medical centers right on campus. I am very excited to begin this adventure, but also quite nervous. I start August 30, so I will have the month of August to do nothing which will be a nice way to transition, I think.