Walk 'in The Footsteps Of A Saint' On March 18
On March 18, St. Joseph Parish in Jasper will celebrate the 175th anniversary of St. Mother Theodore Guerin’s establishment, at St. Joseph, of the first Mission School she would form. All are welcome to attend a number of special events that day.
“In Her Own Words,” a dramatic portrayal of the Life of Saint Mother Theodore, will begin at 2 p.m. EDT at St. Joseph. Following the performance, Bishop Charles C. Thompson will celebrate Mass at 4 p.m.
A reception will follow Mass, and there also will be a dedication ceremony for a statue the parish has commissioned by artist and Jasper native Nick Ring.
Saint Mother Theodore immigrated from France after being called by Croatian immigrant Father Joseph Kundek to help his congregation in Dubois County and surrounding communities – all vastly populated by German immigrants.
She founded the Mission School to teach English and help people across the area understand America’s dynamic culture.
Saint Mother Theodore is Indiana’s only Saint. St. John Paul II beatified her in October 1998, and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI canonized her in October 2006.
Saint Mother Theodore founded The Sisters of Providence of Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. Over the years, 70 women from Dubois County (including 65 from Saint Joseph Parish) have fulfilled their life vocation as a Sister of Providence.
For more than a century, the sisters served as an educational lynchpin in the county as 218 Sisters of Providence ministered to youth and families at Saint Joseph, Precious Blood and Holy Family Parishes; and also at 5th Street, 10th Street and Jasper Middle Schools.
