Sisters work stretches throughout county
By Sue Loughlin
Jeraldine Reynolds sees firsthand how the Sisters of Providence are making a difference in West Terre Haute.
About three years ago, the 69-year-old moved into one of the new apartments at Providence Place, a 20-acre tract of land along West Paris Avenue being developed by Providence Housing Corp.
The housing corporation was established in 1999 to provide affordable housing opportunities in West Terre Haute, both by rehabilitating existing dwellings and new construction of apartments and single-family homes.
Providence Place includes single-family homes as well as apartments for senior citizens.
"They [Sisters of Providence] are making a wonderful difference. It's beautiful out here," Reynolds said. "Some of these people couldn't live in a decent place if they didn't have this."
Providing affordable housing is just one of the many ministries of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, founded in 1840 by Mother Theodore Guerin.
For years, teaching has been an important ministry for the congregation, but the sisters also are involved in eco-justice and social justice, parish ministries, community outreach and health-care services.
They locate or provide food, shelter and medical assistance for those in need.
Evidence of their work can be seen throughout Vigo County.
The sisters sponsor St. Ann's Clinic in Terre Haute, which provides free medical care to the low income and uninsured; many sisters volunteer there. The Connecting Link in West Terre Haute provides information, referrals and advocacy to people in need of social services and health care. Providence Food Pantry in West Terre Haute provides food to the needy.
The list goes on. "We want to be in touch with the greatest needs in this area," and then work to meet those needs, said Sister Ann Margaret O'Hara, general superior of the congregation.
Members of the congregation also advocate for justice issues. They have protested against the state and federal death penalties, and opposed the war in Iraq.
They visit prisoners on Death Row.
Some have been arrested - and one sister even served a six-month prison term - in connection with protests at Fort Benning, Ga., against a school that critics said fostered human rights violations in Central and South America.
"One of your responsibilities [as a sister] is to speak out against what is not right in your society," Sister O'Hara said.
The congregation's mission, according to a brochure, "is to further God's loving plans by devoting ourselves to works of love, mercy and justice in service among God's people." They fulfill their mission through education, service and advocacy.
There are 470 Sisters of Providence who serve in 20 states, Taiwan and China. The motherhouse is at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, where the congregation has more than 1,200 acres.
The congregation founded St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, the nation's oldest liberal arts Catholic women's college, on 67 acres adjoining the Sisters of Providence.
The congregation also is a major employer, with about 300 employees who are not Sisters of Providence.
Sister O'Hara invites members of the community to visit the Sisters of Providence campus, where they can walk the grounds, visit chapels, pray at the labyrinth or visit alpacas.
Visitors don't have to be Catholic to attend the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. They also can attend Mass at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
"People tell us there is such a sense of peace here," Sister O'Hara said.
One person who visits the grounds is Rod Henry, president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.
"There are times I'll just go out there and park in the tranquil setting, or I may take something to read, just to escape from the world for a while. It's so peaceful on the campus," he said.
The Sisters of Providence are active on Chamber committees and want to make a difference in the community, he said.
"A lot of people don't realize their mission goes beyond the confines of their property," Henry said. "They do reach out and they do touch many lives in Terre Haute and west-central Indiana."
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Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter |
| Marker: The campus of St. Mary's is site of many bronze statutes depicting many stages of the life of Jesus. This on is at the entrance to the school cemetery. |
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SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE FAST FACTS
Founded: Oct. 22, 1840, by Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin.
Mission: To honor Divine Providence and further God's plans through works of love, mercy and justice among God's people.
Who they are: Women of faith committed to bringing about positive change in the world. There are 470 Sisters of Providence who serve in 20 states, Taiwan and China. The motherhouse is at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, where the congregation has more than 1,200 acres.
Ministries: Sisters of Providence integrate ministry with prayer and community life. The majority of ministries fall into one of several categories: education, health care, diocesan/parish work, social services, spirituality, eco-justice, administration and prayer.
Web address: www.spsmw.org
Location: St. Mary-of-the-Woods, five miles northwest of Terre Haute. From U.S. 41 in Terre Haute, go west on U.S. 40 toward West Terre Haute, then north on Indiana 150.
General superior: Sister Ann Margaret O'Hara, the 17th general superior in the congregation's history.
The public is encouraged to visit: Visitors can walk the grounds, visit chapels, pray at the labyrinth or enjoy the alpacas. Some of the possible destinations are Providence Center, Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Ann Shell Chapel, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, the labyrinth and White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.