The Universe Story

New Cosmic Walk at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

A group of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice (WVC) staff members, volunteers, interns, and guests, and Sisters of Providence gathered for the inaugural Cosmic Walk at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. this afternoon.


The Cosmic Walk is, “A ritual, a prayer, a time of remembering and being in awe of how the Universe began and how it got to where it is today,” explained Sister Maureen Freeman, director of WVC. “You can go in and out in six minutes or it could take three hours. It depends on the individual.”
Sister Maureen said the project has been in the works for several years. When Sister Kara McKenney was searching for an internship project this summer Sister Maureen recommended completing the Cosmic Walk. Sister Kara and another WVC intern, Matthew Bush, took on the finishing step of creating and putting up the signage and mowing the area.

Ribbon cutting:  S. Kara and Matthew.

Sister Kara and Matthew built the oak frames with the help of Tony Dubois, Sisters of Providence carpenter.

Matthew and Sister Kara cut the yellow ribbon that opened the walk today.

“I’m very happy to see people using it and to know that people will enjoy it for many years,” Sister Kara said.

Sister Maureen looks forward to the same.

Cosmic Walk.

“There are a lot of butterflies here right now, so you really feel that you are united with the Universe when you walk it today,” Sister Maureen said. “Divine grace surrounds us.”

The public is invited to visit the Cosmic Walk. For more information, call  812-535-2932 or email rmorton@spsmw.org.

Seton Hill University group visits

A group from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa., is visiting White Violet Center for Eco-Justice and White Violet Farm Alpacas today.

They tell us they're trying to set up a sustainability program and eco-conference center, so they came out to learn more about this ministry of the Sisters of Providence.

Part of their visit here today also included speaking with Jim Speer of Indiana State University, Mark Minster of Rose-Hulman School of Technology and Sister Mary Lou Dolan of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College to learn about sustainability efforts at those institutions.

Pictured above, from left are, Sister Maureen Freeman, director of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, Frank Klapak, of Seton Hill, and his wife, Sharon Klapak, Sister Mary Elizabeth Lawrence, Sister of Charity, Michael Cary, of Seton Hill, and his wife, Eloise Cary.

Earth Day celebration Saturday

This Saturday is the 12th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods!
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Live entertainment, fun activities for children, alpaca meet and greets, alpaca shearing demo, spinning and weaving demos, straw bale house and garden tours, food from local restaurants, plant sales, a bake sale, and more.

The theme this year is "Going local." A full list of educational booths and vendors and the event schedule are at www.WhiteViolet.org.

The event is free, but there is an opportunity to give a free-will donation at the gates.

We hope you bring your friends and family and have a wonderful time enjoying Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in all its spring glory this Saturday for this family-friendly event.

First place alpaca

Providence Joseph of Carondelet received a first place ribbon in his class of 2-year-old gray males at the 2nd annual Heartland Classic alpaca show on Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. He was the youngest in his class, having just turned 2 on Sept. 30. There were 10 in his class, so we're so excited to have done so well at this show.

Other winners from White Violet Farm Alpacas are: Providence La Luna with a 4th place, Providence Theodora with a 5th place and Providence Amber with a 6th place.

We also shared our alpaca fiber skills at this two-day show. Sister Jean Fuqua and Sister Maureen Freeman taught a fiber class on the first day that was well received.

International Day of Nonviolence Oct. 2

Oct. 2 is an important day for everyone in our global village but especially for those of us committed to living the good news of peace, justice and reconciliation.

The public is invited to participate in the Sisters of Providence International Day of Nonviolence prayer service at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at St. Joseph Chapel in Owens Hall, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN

The following was written by the Sisters of Providence:

Litany of Non-Violence
Providence God, aware of our own brokenness,
we ask the gift of courage to identify how and where
we are in need of conversion in order to live in
solidarity with Earth and all creation.

Deliver us from the violence of superiority and disdain.
Grant us the desire, and the humility,
to listen with special care to those whose experiences
and attitudes are different from our own.

Deliver us from the violence of greed and privilege.
Grant us the desire, and the will, to live simply
so others may have their just share of Earth's resources.

Deliver us from the silence that gives
consent to abuse, war and evil.
Grant us the desire, and the courage, to risk
speaking and acting for the common good.

Deliver us from the violence of irreverence,
exploitation and control.
Grant us the desire, and the strength, to act
responsibly within the cycle of creation.

God of love, mercy and justice,
acknowledging our complicity in those attitudes,
actions and words which perpetuate violence,
we beg the grace of a non-violent heart. Amen.


Oct. 2 is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who helped lead India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom around the world. On June 15, 2007 the International Day of Nonviolence was adopted by the 192 member States of the United Nations during their General Assembly. Mahatma Gandhi has become an icon for people all over the world who believe in nonviolence as a way of life and as the best way to overcome oppression.