OLLI course on Civil War offered

This grave marker in the Sisters of Providence Cemetery marks the final resting place
of Sister Athanasius Forgarty, a sister-nurse during the Civil War.

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, have a unique connection with the Civil War. The sisters served as sister-nurses at Military Hospital in Indianapolis as well as at a hospital in Vincennes, Ind. You can learn more about this history by participating in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Indiana State University course, “Lest We Forget: The Civil War Service of the Sisters of Providence.” This class will be offered on the beautiful motherhouse grounds of the Congregation on Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 14 and 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. (EDT) in the Community Room of Providence Hall. The course will be presented by Congregation staff member Connie McCammon.

You do not have to be an OLLI member to attend this class. You may register online or call 812-237-8707 for more information. Please register by Monday, Aug. 13.

We look forward to seeing you on Aug. 14 and 16!

An encounter with the supernatural

The Indiana State University Folklore Archives has collected quite a few stories about supernatural encounters and UFOs. This particular story was collected in 1998 by Janel Maesch. In this interview Donald Bonomo of Clinton, Indiana, shares his story about seeing a silver, saucer-shaped UFO at Sportland Park in Clinton. Three others who were with him at the time also witnessed the UFO.

To read other stories about encounters with the supernatural or UFOs, click here.

Archives: a way to connect with people

Have you ever thought of Archives as being a ministry? Perhaps not, but according to Sister Marianne Mader, Archives researcher for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., it is. “[Archives] is a way of connecting with other people,” she notes in the summer 2012 issue of HOPE, now available online.

The Sisters of Providence are blessed with an awesome Archives. Truly, this department was created when the Congregation’s foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, put pen to paper and wrote her journals as well as thousands of letters to her sisters in France, sisters here in the United States and countless friends and donors.

This issue of HOPE is dedicated to the keeper of the stories — the many women who have dedicated their lives to preserving the history of the Sisters of Providence. In this issue you’ll learn about the ways in which Archives collaborates with various entities across the state of Indiana. You’ll also learn about the work Sister Maureen Abbott is doing in writing the fourth volume of the Congregation’s history. Additionally, you’ll learn a little more about the story behind the “CNN Presents” program on the canonization of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

As always, you’ll find the usual articles — her-story, photo albums, newsnotes, alumnae/i news, obituaries and upcoming events. Check it out now!

Arequipa, Peru, focus of Heritage Museum exhibit

This artwork of The Last Supper is just one of many artifacts and documents on display in the Heritage Museum
of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, ministered in Arequipa, Peru, from 1963 to 1975. A new Heritage Museum exhibit in Providence Center at the Woods focuses upon this ministry. It is free and open to the public.

In 1960, all U.S. religious congregations were asked by Pope John XXIII to create missions in Latin America beginning as soon as possible. In March of 1963, Sisters Veronica Hester (RIP), Kathleen O’Connor (RIP) and Monica Withem (RIP) left Indiana for this new mission in South America. The sisters ministered at the all-boys Colegio de San José and worked closely with the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

Included in this exhibit are many hand-carved items such as Nativity sets, dolls, crosses and Arte Grotesque pieces. Hand-crafted items include blankets, ponchos, napkins, purses, a sterling silver cross and a picture frame. There are also several paintings, photos, school annuals, plus much more.

The Heritage Museum is located in Providence Center and is open during the center's normal hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EDT), and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT). Click here for directions  to Providence Center

Lincoln vs. Davis

The Vigo County Historical Society has a wonderful set of five political envelopes from 1861 that feature President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The two men are illustrated in a boxing ring.

The description of the envelopes reads, “each envelope progresses their conflict as an allegory of the larger Civil War. The crowd surrounding them varies but is generally made up of soldiers, politicians, animals and political symbolism. The fight ends with Davis defeated.”

Too close for comfort!

OK, I admit it. This photograph and accompanying information made me laugh out loud! This 1958 Ford Mercury station wagon was photographed outside Jack Thrasher Ford, once located on east Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute, Indiana. Yes, as someone wrote in blue ink pen at the top of the photo, two people were welded inside!

According to the description, “There were bars welded over the windows after two married people got inside the vehicle. They were supposed to live in the car for an extended period of time but the promotion didn’t last as long as planned because they got on each others’ nerves too much.” I love it!

This photo is part of the Vigo County Historical Society collection.

‘Take me out to the ball game!’

Isn’t this a great old photograph? It’s the members of the 1891 Rose Polytechnic Institute baseball team. The photographer really was creative in his positioning of the coach and players. There’s nice balance and you can clearly see each person’s face. And the men’s ascots are a wonderful touch!

This photo of the Rose Polytechnic Institute baseball team, dated as the 1890s, is vastly different than the previous photo. First of all, it’s obviously no studio photograph. It’s much more casual. Many of the players aren’t even looking at the camera! And the mustache is much bigger!

Both of these images are part of the collection of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Archives, Logan Library.