The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., have a network of sites devoted to their ministries, education, prayer and more. Learn more about each of our sites below.
The Sisters of Providence flagship site is available at www.SistersofProvidence.org. You will find general information here, as well information on Vocations, the Providence Associates relationship, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, the history of the Sisters of Providence, alumnae/i associations, annual and planned giving resources and references to all of our ministries. The largest of our sites, you will find access points to all of our other sites from the Sisters of Providence site.
The Sisters of Providence Archives maintains and protects the heritage of the Sisters of Providence and the history associated with the community and its foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. The purpose of the Sisters of Providence Archives is to serve the archival needs of the Sisters of Providence, but researchers are welcome. The Sisters of Providence are founding members of the Wabash Valley Visions and Voices project (WV3).
The Sisters of Providence have a commitment to the environment. Through the ministry of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, the SPs offer leadership and education in eco-justice. However, the SP commitment to the environment extends into daily life and the actions of the corporation of the Sisters of Providence — whether it's by having our food services department cook with crops grown in our organic gardens or by recycling in all of our houses and offices. Green Projects of the Sisters of Providence include: biomass, biodiesel, straw bale retreat houses, recycling, irrigation and classified forest.
Guerin Outreach Ministries, Inc., a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., provides educational programs and family services to people in need through its three ministry divisions—Educational and Family Services, Providence Family Services and Providence in the Desert. They support children, individuals and families at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods/West Terre Haute and Terre Haute, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois, and Indio, California.
The Sisters of Providence ministry of peace and justice is one of education, advocacy and non-violent resistance to the root causes of injustice. Recognizing the interconnectedness of all life, the Congregation addresses global and local issues, with the ultimate goal of achieving systemic change. Sisters of Providence can be found speaking against the death penalty, demonstrating for peace or being a voice for the disenfranchised. Social causes championed by individual sisters or by the Congregation as a whole are about ending violence and injustice in our world.
Providence Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, is located at the heart of beautiful Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., the home of the Sisters of Providence. The official welcoming center for visitors, Providence Center has all the information you'll need to appreciate the beauty, history and spirituality of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. You’ll find friendly staff members to greet you and a variety of brochures and maps to guide you as you explore the grounds. Providence Center has dining services, the Sisters of Providence heritage museum and a gift shop. It is also home of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence.
Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries, Inc., a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., provides educational programs and family services to persons in need. Established in New Albany, Ind., in 1994, Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries collaborates with local agencies and organizations to provide need based services: licensed group homes for foster children; family reunification and preservation shelter and case management; an independent living program for youths aging out of foster care; counseling; apartments for individuals and couples age 62 and older with limited incomes; a senior citizens center; assisted living and skilled nursing care; and a clinic. Programs are located at Georgetown and Terre Haute, Ind.
Providence Volunteer Ministry has been a lay ministry program for women and men, age 21 and older, who have given a full-time commitment of one year or three months during summers since 1988. The program will close Aug. 31, 2010. Thank you to all who have given service and provided sites for volunteers. We celebrate a program that has changed the lives of so many.
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a diverse group of spiritually passionate women of the Church with a common bond of hope for the future. The Sisters of Providence have ministries related to the spirituality of Providence, prayer and spiritual renewal, including the Our Lady of Providence Association, the Blessed Sacrament Association and the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. In this section, you will also find information about the Labyrinth, spiritual reflections, prayers and a places to make prayer requests.
Since 1920 the Sisters of Providence have had a presence in Asia, commencing that presence in China. Six Sisters of Providence responded to a call to this foreign mission field, echoing Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s response to go to a foreign land in 1840. Today, that ministry continues in Taiwan with a Sisters of Providence presence at: St. Theresa Opportunity Center, Reed School, St. Camillus de Lellis Center for the Mentally Challenged, Miracle Place and Providence University.
Sisters of Providence Volunteer Services offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for those 18 and older at the Sisters of Providence motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. Special arrangements can be made for groups under 18. Volunteers can donate time year-round, for a short period of time, seasonally or for a one-time event.
White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a Ministry of the Sisters of Providence, exists to foster a way of living that recognizes the interdependence of all creation. Grounded in an understanding of Providence Spirituality as hope and healing, the center offers leadership and education in the preservation, restoration and reverent use of all natural resources. In this section you will find more information about: environmental and eco-justice education; our award-winning alpaca herd; alpaca fiber and our fiber projects; organic agriculture; eco-spirituality; and internships and volunteering at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.
Woods Day Care/Pre-School is a nationally accredited pre-school that provides a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for many children of the Wabash Valley, including Vigo, Parke and Vermillion Counties in Indiana and Edgar County in Illinois
The Sisters of Providence site WoodsUp.com is for children in grades 4-8. While the site is a safe place for kids to learn about subjects where Sisters of Providence have certain expertise (such as art and music, the environment, history, justice, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and faith and values), it is also a good resource for teachers. Although the Sisters of Providence are an order of Catholic women religious, the intention is that all children, their parents and teachers will find something of use on this site, regardless of faith or creed. Information that pertains specifically to Catholic theology will be presented only in the Faith & Values section.