Sisters of Providence celebrating Jubilees

Three Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, with ties to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City are celebrating jubilees this year.
Sister Dorothy Larson, Sister Maria Smith and Sister Barbara Ann Bluntzer have all served at least seven decades.

Sister Dorothy, formerly Sister Margaret Marian, was born in Chicago. Currently, she ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, celebrating 70 years with the congregation.

Sister Dorothy entered the Congregation on Feb. 2, 1954, from Saint Angela Parish in Chicago. She professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1956, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1961. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in education from Ball State University.

During her time in the archdiocese, Sister Dorothy ministered as a teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City from 1974 to 1978. She also ministered in Indiana, North Carolina and Illinois.

Sister Maria, formerly Sister Maria Goretti, was born in Lafayette, Indiana. Currently, her ministries are prayer and hand sewing at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She is also celebrating 70 years with the congregation.

Sister Maria entered the congregation on Jan. 4, 1954, from Saint Mary Cathedral in Lafayette. She professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1956, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1961. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in education from Indiana University.

During her time in the archdiocese, Sister Maria ministered as a teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City from 1956 to 1958. She also ministered in Illinois and Indiana.

Sister Barbara Ann, formerly Sister Mary Martha, was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Currently, she ministers as a volunteer docent, greeter, flower arranger and in the Providence Hall phone room at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She is celebrating 75 years with the congregation.

Sister Barbara Ann entered the Congregation on June 7, 1949, from Saint John Nepomucene Parish in Robstown, Texas. She professed first vows on Jan. 23, 1952, and final vows on Jan. 23, 1957. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as well as a master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University.

During her time in the archdiocese, Sister Barbara Ann ministered as a teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City from 1957 to 1962 and again from 1969 to 1972. She also ministered in Indiana, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.

The Sisters of Providence, a congregation of nearly 200 women religious, with more than 300 Providence Associates, collaborate with others to create a more just and hope-filled world through prayer, education, service and advocacy. The Sisters of Providence have their motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, located just northwest of downtown Terre Haute and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin founded the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840. Today, Sisters of Providence minister in 13 states, the District of Columbia and Asia, through works of love, mercy and justice. More information about the Sisters of Providence and their ministries can be found at SistersofProvidence.org.