sisters of mary of the presentation health ministry

• Spring Valley - (815) 664-5311

About St. Margaret’s

St. Margaret’s Health and St. Margaret’s Hospital, a 44-licensed bed facility, was founded in November of 1903 by seven sisters from the  Sisters of Mary of the Presentation,  a group of nuns expelled from France by an anti-religious government.

At the turn of the century, Spring Valley was a large coal mining camp with a population of 6,214 people. Laws governing the protection of miners were few, and accidents and deaths were frequent.

The area’s great need for a hospital facility was recognized by the Rev. John Power, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church. He appealed to the  Sisters of Mary of the Presentation  to staff the new hospital. Twenty-five acres of land and a two-story frame house were donated by Father Power, and so it began.

When the first seven sisters arrived in November, 1903, they were practically without funds, and only a few of them spoke English. The little hospital was nearly unfurnished and contained only a five-bed ward and one private room. The building was illuminated by kerosene lamps and heated with coal stoves. The success of the new venture seemed doubtful. However, from this humble beginning, St. Margaret’s Health has grown to become the community care center that we know today.

In fact, St. Margaret’s continues to expand and grow to better serve the community’s changing health needs. As of January 1, 2021, St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley and Illinois Valley Community Hospital (IVCH) in Peru have finalized arrangements to consolidate their healthcare operations to form a regional health network.  Thus, S t. Margaret’s Hospital is now renamed St. Margaret’s Health – Spring Valley. 

SMH Peru And Spring Valley Will Be Closing All Current Operations As Of Friday, June 16, 2023 At 11:59 P.M. This includes the Hospital, Clinics and other facilities at both locations. All portals will be inaccessible after this time. Patients needing emergency care should call 911.

People’s Hospital in Peru opened in 1914 and became Illinois Valley Community Hospital in 1976 when it merged with St. Mary’s Hospital in LaSalle.  The St. Mary’s building—which was located where the Illinois Veterans’ Home now stands—was closed following the merger. Expansion of the People’s campus began immediately and culminated with the opening of an 80-bed addition in 1979.  Moving forward, further expansions included:

• Building a parking garage and adding a second floor to the West Street office building and then connecting it to the hospital with a skybridge in 1994.
• Opening the Women’s Health Care Center in 2000.
• Again adding to the main hospital building in 2003 with the opening of the East Addition, which included an expanded emergency department and a new surgical unit.
• Opening the Center for Physical Rehabilitation and Aquatics next to the Illinois Valley Y in Peru in 2006.
• Opening a new obstetrics unit and a new intensive care unit in 2011 by adding a third floor to the East Addition.
• Opening a Wound and Hyperbaric Center in 2013.

The Hygienic Institute in LaSalle, which, like IVCH, opened in 1914, became part of the Peru hospital in 1996.

As mentioned earlier, on January 1, 2021, St. Margaret’s Hospital and IVCH finalized arrangements to consolidate their healthcare operations to form a regional health network. Just as St. Margaret’s Hospital was renamed St. Margaret’s Health – Spring Valley , Illinois Valley Community Hospital is now renamed St. Margaret’s Health – Peru.

About the SMP Health Ministry

During the early days of the SMP hospitals, the Sisters were responsible for all aspects of their operations, including growing their own food and, in some cases like St. Margaret’s, raising cows and chickens. There were no boards of directors. The Sisters handled all business matters, as well as staffing the operating rooms, lab, X-ray and dietary departments. They were also the head nurses on all floors and night supervisors. In addition to all that, they did it without receiving any salaries for those directly serving in the health care ministries. In time, however, this kind of simplicity became unsustainable. Medical technology, government reimbursement, insurance, urbanization and the corresponding expansion and consolidation of healthcare institutions contributed to the complexity of health care from its formerly more local character.

Click to read more about the SMP Health Ministry.

A Letter from Our President

Welcome to St. Margaret’s Health, the premier provider of health care in the Illinois Valley since 1903. Our sponsors, the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, the Board of Directors, Administration, the Medical Staff and everyone St. Margaret’s are unified in our focus to provide you and your loved ones high quality, compassionate care in an environment of Healing Hospitality. Advanced technology, combined with friendly, knowledgeable staff is right here, close to home, ready to serve you.

Use the links provided in this website to learn more about what we offer. If you have additional questions, we have highly qualified staff to answer your questions. You can depend on not only your physician and nurses, but other disciplines, like our chaplains, social service staff and others to provide you with valuable advice and support.

Tim Muntz President & CEO

View our Board of Directors

Our Mission​

St. Margaret’s Health Care, in union with the  Sisters of Mary of the Presentation , is committed to the values of Catholic health care in caring for the needs of our patients and their families, the community and one another. Through our belief in God and our respect for life, we provide holistic quality health care with dignity and compassion.

Core Values

We carry forth this healing ministry of Jesus, inspired by the values of:

• Caring  –  Ministering to the whole person with sensitivity, compassion and concern
• Commitment/Dedication  –  Being faithful to the healing mission of Jesus
• Dignity/Respect  –  Recognizing that everyone is of value and worthy of high regard
• Quality  –  Insuring the higher standards of excellence and professionalism

Shared Ministry

The people who work with us are our greatest resource – boards, medical staffs, administrative groups, employees, and volunteers. We share our ministry with them.  Read more about the Shared Ministry .

Our Symbolism

The symbolism of the emblem of the sisters of mary of the presentation and its incorporation into the logo of st. margaret’s health.

An appropriate understanding of the mission of SMP Health and its ministries requires that we continually acknowledge our source in the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. Their sponsorship is never to be overlooked and we perpetuate this relationship in our logo as well as in the name of our organization.

St. Margaret’s Health is a ministry of SMP Health. The abbreviation “SMP” pertains to the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. The organization’s “official” name is the “Sisters of Mary of the Presentation Health.”

Our ministry logo for St. Margaret’s Health incorporates the emblem of the Sister of Mary of the Presentation to identify and perpetuate the Sisters as the source of our ministry, its mission, history and identity.

The Emblem of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation

In 1982 the General Chapter of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation agreed to this oval symbol as a common community symbol to indicate membership in the Congregation.

The symbolism is explained by the Sisters as follows:

• The Cross represents Jesus Christ our Savior.
• The M represents Mary whose daughters we are.
• The Oval signifies the Church and our Congregation.
• The Cross is rooted in the earth where our lives and ministry take place.

The St. Margaret’s Health logo is comprised of four fundamental elements:

• The oval emblem of the Sisters
• The name “St. Margaret’s Health”
• The line under the name
• An italicized “SMP Health” underneath the horizontal line to identify St. Margaret’s Health as part of SMP Health.

Discrimination is Against the Law!

St. Margaret’s Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Our Locations

For more than 100 years, St. Margaret’s Health has been serving the community with quality healthcare delivered with a spiritual confidence inspired by the Sister’s of Mary of the Presentation.

St. Margaret’s Health – Spring Valley 600 East First Street Spring Valley, IL 61362 Hospital Operator (815) 664-5311 TTY (815) 664-1578

St. Margaret’s Health – Peru 925 West Street Peru, IL 61354 Hospital Operator (815) 223-3300

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SMH Peru And Spring Valley Will Be Closing All Current Operations As Of Friday, June 16, 2023 At 11:59 P.M.

This includes the hospital, clinics and other facilities at both locations. all portals will be inaccessible after this time., patients needing emergency care should call 911..

To obtain a copy of your Medical Records please visit our Medical Records Request webpage and download and submit a request in writing.

SMP Health – St. Catherine South has offered Catholic healthcare to the Fargo-Moorhead area for more than 45 years. With 140 beds, our Fargo nursing home provides residents with long-term, high-quality healthcare.

SMP Health – St. Catherine South is modeled after the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, a Catholic healthcare organization that provides a variety of services and facilities. We strive to carry out Jesus’s healing mission by providing respect and compassion to all individuals who are in our care.

In addition to providing skilled, compassionate care, we also offer rehabilitation services, hospice and palliative care, personalized activities, spiritual support, and a setting that feels like home to residents.

Intergenerational Program

In March 1980, the SMP Health – St. Catherine South Childcare Center opened. Having children present adds to the home-like environment in our facility. Daily interactions between the kids and the residents take place including hand-delivered birthday cards, one-on-one visits to the residents’ rooms, and joint participation in group activities.

The daycare facility at SMP Health – St. Catherine South is open to serve your family’s needs. We strive to provide an atmosphere for your child that is comfortable and offers appropriate stimulation for their age group. Each child is valued as an individual, and we make every effort to fulfill their needs in a personalized fashion.

We are proud to be members of the following organizations:

• Catholic Health Association (CHA)
• North Dakota Long Term Care Association
• Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce
• American Health Care Association

An appropriate understanding of the mission of SMP Health and its ministries requires that we continually acknowledge our source in the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. Their sponsorship is never to be overlooked and we perpetuate this relationship in our logo as well as in the name of our organization.

SMP Health – St. Catherine South is a ministry of SMP Health. The abbreviation “SMP” pertains to the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. The organization’s “official” name is the “Sisters of Mary of the Presentation Health System.”

Our ministry logo for SMP Health – St. Catherine South incorporates the emblem of the Sister of Mary of the Presentation to identify and perpetuate the Sisters as the source of our ministry, its mission, history and identity.

The Emblem of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation

In 1982 the General Chapter of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation agreed to this oval symbol as a common community symbol to indicate membership in the Congregation.

The symbolism is explained by the Sisters as follows: 

The Cross represents Jesus Christ our Savior. The M represents Mary whose daughters we are. The Oval signifies the Church and our Congregation. The Cross is rooted in the earth where our lives and ministry take place.

SMP Health – St. Catherine South’s Logo

The SMPHS logo is comprised of three fundamental elements:

• The oval emblem of the Sisters
• The name “St. Catherine South”
• The line under the name
• An italicized “ SMP Health ” underneath the horizontal line to identify St. Catherine South as part of SMP Health. 

Presentation Sisters of the U.S. Province live and minister in seven states.

We strive to be good neighbors and to enhance the civic communities in which we live.

The words of our foundress motivate and inspire us.

Presentation Sisters of the U.S.Province live and minister in seven states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota and Texas. The sisters are teachers and administrators in pre-school, elementary school, university and in community programs offering adult education and tutoring for children and adolescents.

They provide direct service in health care and social services as well as serve in administration and governance of institutions and systems. They are chaplins and parish ministers, spiritual directors and retreat facilitators. Through the International Presentation Association the sisters of the U.S. Province collaborate with Presentation Sisters, Presentation Associates and like-minded individuals and organizations around the world in working for peace, justice, care for the earth and a sustainable, decent life for all the human family.

If I could be of service in any part of the world, I would willingly do all in my power

Our ministries, presentation prayer center, 5300 12th st. s, #110 fargo, nd 58104.

The Prayer Center collaborates with individuals and groups in nurturing mind, body and soul to discover ever-deepening relationships with God, self, and others.

Presentation Ministry Center

2003 ruiz street, san antonio, tx. 78207.

Presentation Ministry Center is a place of hospitality, primarily dedicated to meeting the needs of immigrant people. Programs offered are designed to educate participants and to provide opportunities for holistic development in a community building atmosphere.

Presentation Learning Center

2216 e. 108th street los angeles, california 90059.

An educational project, of the Presentation Sisters serving primarily Spanish-speaking women and men from the Watts area of Los Angeles.

Presentation Sisters Center

Shaw, mississippi.

In September 2009 the US Unit establishment a ministry in Shaw, Mississippi, where there was a critical need for remedial education due to an under-achieving school system. The ministry has grown to offer school tutoring, adult computer classes, computer availability for online courses, adult reading, and outreach to nursing homes and the home-bound. Our Sisters have recently left this area and have handed over the Ministry Center to the current community. 

Wisdom Initiatives

As a core dimension of our mission, our congregation respects and honors the presence of energy, the wisdom and experience of our older members and all elders in society. Everyone is invitied to participate and contribute to the best of his/her ability.

Presentation Music Studio

Sister Bernadette Trecker teaches over 25 students each year from her music studio, which she began in 2004 in Fargo, North Dakota.

Presentation Partners in Housing

219 7th street s. fargo, nd 58103.

Presentation Partners in Housing (PPiH) is a ministry sponsored by the Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, United States Province to assist people who are homeless or threatened by homelessness, and who, despite their personal efforts are struggling to meet basic needs.

Partner with Us

You can contribute to the mission of the US Province of the Sisters of the Presentation in a variety of ways including prayer, volunteering or financial contributions.

Request Prayer

Donate your time and talents, make a financial contribution.

Our Foundress, Blessed Anne Marie Rivier…. 

In 1768, Marie Rivier was born in Montpezat, France.  A bad fall left her crippled.  Her mother carried her frequently to the statue of the Pieta (Our Lady of Mercy) in a nearby chapel.  Marie believed: “The Blessed Virgin will cure me and I shall gather little ones to tell them to love her!”  Four years later, Marie was healed!

These years of schooling at the feet of the statue of Mary marked Marie’s life forever.  God’s merciful love filled her heart. Thereafter, she gathered children for “catechism,” and befriended the poor.   By the age of 18, Marie devoted herself entirely to the evangelization and the care of the poor.

Thus, the vocation and the mission of Marie Rivier were rooted in the contemplation of Our Lady of Mercy (Pieta) and found their complete fulfillment in the two mysteries of the Presentation of Jesus and Mary.  Vocation and mission were incarnated in a deep interior life and an ardent zeal to make Jesus Christ known and loved.  The prolonged meditation of these mysteries reproduced in her the attitudes that were intensely lived by Jesus and Mary: adoration, offering and compassion.

S. April Mireau’s Reflection on Marie Rivier 

Created by Sharon Leyne 

Our Beginnings…

During the tumultuous times of the French Revolution where any religious action was considered suspicious, risking death and persecution, Marie founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.   On November 21 st , 1796 on the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, Marie and four companions consecrated themselves to God.

Our Growth…

The new community grew quickly despite great poverty.  Through prayer, deep faith and love; they obtained everything from God through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.  There was nothing to eat, but wheat multiplied and fresh oil appeared!   Despite poor health, physical disability and political danger, Marie was unwavering in her mission: “To make Jesus Christ known and loved.”  Marie Rivier died on February 3 rd , 1838.  Her boundless zeal led Pope Pius IX to call her The Woman Apostle.  Marie Rivier, “a prophet of our time,” was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 23 rd , 1982.

Sisters in farmers field, Wakaw, SK , 1942

She had predicted: “My daughters will sail the oceans!” This prediction came true in 1853 when the sisters arrived in St. Hyacinthe, Québec.  Today, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary serve in 19 countries around the world.

The sisters have been serving in Western Canada the “Rivier way” since 1903.  In the next century more than twenty missions were opened, with the majority of the sisters teaching the faith in schools.   Today, we have fewer sisters teaching in the schools.  However, we are still called to teach the faith in parishes, on the First Nations reserves, as health professionals, counsellors, spiritual directors, in inner city ministry, with immigrants and wherever there is need to make Jesus Christ known and loved.

Sister Leona Fortier teaching catechism,  Winnipeg, MB , 1942

Marie Rivier’s famous Quotes…

“Speaking of God is happiness for me!” Marie Rivier

“I feel such zeal to work for the glory of God.”

“I expect everything from prayer.”

“We were nothing, we had nothing, we could do nothing.  And after that, could you doubt that it was God, who led things to the point where you see them today, who founded, increased and strengthened this community?”

The PM sisters have missions in 19 countries of the world.

News in Faith

Vatican news is the official news outlet of the holy see., the catholic news service is a leading outlet for national and international religious news., the national catholic register is an online newspaper covering world religious news., official news outlet of the diocese of fargo, comprising the eastern half of north dakota..

• Women’s Retreat

“Come to Me…” Women’s Retreat

Led by sr. anne germaine picard and dianne allmaras , smp associate., each of us has come from different circumstances, we are individually and uniquely made through the image of god. we come from all sorts of different backgrounds but our humanity is unquestionably the same., we practice faith, feel pain and sorrow; we laugh and cry; we find joy and happiness; and we give love– but no matter who we are, or what our story is– we are all invited to come unto christ and be perfected by him., input sessions, a panel of speakers, examples of women saints and personal reflections will lead us to respond to jesus’ invitation, “come to me…”, july 19-21, 2024; please register by july 12., the retreat begins at 5:00 pm on friday with registration followed by supper, and concludes by 1:00 pm on sunday., suggested donation for the weekend: $155 basic room: single bed with shared bathroom $175 upgraded room: full bed with shared bathroom $195 deluxe room: full bed with private bathroom $205 premium room: queen bed with private bathroom and sitting room, meals are included., the future of maryvale, today (10/3/22) we celebrate the creation of a new non-profit, “maryvale.” the result of years of planning and prayer, the sisters of mary of the presentation have passed the maryvale property and ministry on to the diocese of fargo which formed the non-profit in order to continue their ministry of hospitality and retreats. the sisters will continue to live at the convent, while the retreat center is now owned and managed by maryvale retreat center. the executive director of maryvale retreat center is steve splonskowski, office of evangelization, diocese of fargo. bishop folda presided over the ceremony and blessed the ministry, which he called, “already blessed.” maryvale has plans for expanding the ministry in order to touch more lives with the sustaining grace of god. please pray for us and our work here at maryvale., council of congregation, this week the sisters have been virtually participating in the council of congregation during which the sisters of mary of the presentation in six countries, on three continents, meet about issues relating to the international congregation in preparation for general chapter. sisters of mary of the presentation has convents and ministries in the united states, canada, france, belgium, cameroon, and, as of this last year, the democratic republic of congo, associate signing ceremony, this last saturday, october 10, the sisters of mary of the presentation held a signing ceremony for new associates. the sisters are pleased to announce five new associates: amanda kunze, kory kunze, dori picard, jim picard, and viola hoelmer. welcome, reflection for easter triduum.

Copyright 2020 Catholic Health Association of the United States.

Reflection for Holy Week

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Reflection for the Fourth Week of Lent

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