Several Sisters of Providence celebrate significant jubilees

Click above to see a larger version of the photos of the 21 members of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods who celebrated significant milestones in the congregation this year.

Criterion staff report

In 2023, 21 members of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods celebrated significant milestones in the congregation.

75-year jubilarians

Sister Laurette Bellamy is a native of Chicago. She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Laurette earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in St. Mary-of-the-Woods and a master’s degree in music at the Catholic University of America in Washington.

Sister Laurette served in the archdiocese in Indianapolis at the former Ladywood High School from 1950-52 and 1957-64, and as a volunteer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul from

2015-16. She also ministered at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in St. Mary-of-the-Woods from 1952-53, 1955-57, 1972-90, 1992-2010, as a volunteer at the former St. Ann Clinic in Terre Haute from 2005-11, in Bloomington as a volunteer at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul from 2006-14 and as a nursing home visitor for St. Charles Borromeo Parish from 2013-14.

Sister Laurette currently serves as a parish volunteer at SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood.

Sister Eileen Dede was born in Terre Haute and grew up as a member of the former St. Ann Parish. She entered the congregation on Jan. 7, 1948, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Eileen earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in art education at Indiana University in Bloomington.

In the archdiocese, Sister Eileen served in Indianapolis at the former St. Patrick School from 1951-53, Holy Spirit School from 1959-63, Immaculate Heart of Mary School from 1965-67, St. Luke the Evangelist School from 1971-73, St. Thomas Aquinas School from 1973-77, and at Franciscan Health Indianapolis as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion from 2011-13, as a volunteer from 2014-16 and as a nursing home volunteer from 2013-14.

She also served at St. Malachy School in Brownsburg from 1955-57, at the former Sacred Heart School in Terre Haute from 1983-84, and as director of pastoral care at Health Care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 1984-91.

Sister Eileen also ministered in the Evansville, Ind., Diocese and in California, Florida and Illinois.

She currently ministers in prayer at the motherhouse and as a visitor at Providence Health Care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Jane Michael Dwyer is a native of Arlington, Mass. She entered the congregation on July 22, 1948, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

Sister Jane Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in education at Rivier University in Nashua, N.H.

In the archdiocese, she served at the former St. Margaret Mary School in Terre Haute from 1956-57.

Sister Jane Michael has also ministered in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Washington, D.C.

She currently serves as a visitor in residential services and Providence Health Care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Dorothy (formerly Sister Margaret Eugene) Gartland, is a native of St. Joseph, Mo. She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Dorothy earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in elementary education at Indiana University.

In the archdiocese, she served at St. Malachy School in Brownsburg from 1957-59.

Sister Dorothy has also ministered in the Evansville Diocese, the Diocese of Gary, Ind., and in Illinois and Washington, D.C.

She currently serves in residential services at the motherhouse.

Sister James Michael Kesterson is a native of Indianapolis where she grew up as a member of St. Roch Parish. She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister James Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in education from Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

In the archdiocese, she served in Indianapolis at the former St. Andrew the Apostle School from 1954-55 and 1965-68, at St. Jude School from 1978-2010 and as a catechist at St. Anthony Parish from 2010-14, at the former St. Ann School in Terre Haute from 1961-65 and at Our Lady of the Greenwood School in Greenwood from 1968-78.

Sister James Michael has also ministered in the Gary Diocese, the Diocese of Lafayette, Ind., and in Illinois and Massachusetts.

She currently serves in the archdiocesan archives and at Anna’s House, both in Indianapolis.

Sister Grace Marie Meehan is a native of Chicago. She entered the congregation on Jan. 7, 1948, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Grace Marie earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Illinois Eastern Community College, a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in education at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

In the archdiocese, she served at the former St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis from 1950-51, at Our Lady of the Greenwood School in Greenwood from 1959-68, at St. Mary School in Richmond (now Seton Catholic School) from 1968-69, at St. Michael School in Greenfield from 1969-72 and at the motherhouse in leadership and in health care from 1972-84.

Sister Grace Marie has also ministered in California, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

She is currently between assignments and is in residence at the motherhouse.

Sister Joan Mary Schaefer is a native of Cicero, Ill. She entered the congregation on July 22, 1948, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

Sister Joan Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in education at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

In the archdiocese, she served at the former St. Ann School in New Castle from 1951-53, St. Mary School in Richmond (now Seton Catholic School) from 1954-55 and at the former St. John Academy in Indianapolis from 1956-59.

Sister Joan Mary has also ministered in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in northern Indiana, in the Gary Diocese and in Illinois, Massachusetts and Missouri.

She currently serves in residential services at the motherhouse.

70-year jubilarians

Sister Teresa (formerly Sister Ellen Maureen) Costello, is a native of County Galway, Ireland. She entered the congregation on July 22, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1961.

Sister Teresa earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in education at Indiana State University, a master’s degree in pastoral counseling at Emmanuel College in Boston and a doctor of ministry degree in spirituality at the Graduate Theology Foundation based in Sarasota, Fla.

In the archdiocese, she served at Providence Self-Sufficiency Ministries in West Terre Haute from 1995-96.

Sister Teresa has also ministered in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

She currently serves as a volunteer at Providence Health Care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Mary Catherine Duffy is a native of Indianapolis where she grew up as a member of St. Philip Neri Parish. She entered the congregation on Jan. 6, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1960.

Sister Mary Catherine earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in special education at Indiana State University. She also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Indianapolis.

In the archdiocese, Sister Mary Catherine in Hispanic ministry at St. Mary Parish in Indianapolis from 1975-78 and 1987-88, in leadership with the congregation from 1975-86, in the Hispanic Education Center from 1987-2004, at the Marian Center from 2004-14 and with the archdiocesan Office of Refugee and Immigrant Services from 2015-21.

She has also ministered in California, Illinois and as a missionary in Peru.

Sister Mary Catherine currently serves as a document translator in the archdiocesan Office of Refugee and Immigrant Services and as a volunteer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Sister Jane (formerly Sister Dorothy Jane) Gibson, is a native of Louisville, Ky. She entered the congregation from Sacred Heart Parish in Terre Haute on Feb. 2, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1960.

Sister Jane earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in elementary education at Indiana State University.

In the archdiocese, she served in Indianapolis at the former Holy Cross Central School from 1972-74, at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish from 1974-77, at Cathedral High School from 1979-80, in community organization from 1980-92, as a caregiver from 1994-2008, as a volunteer at St. Rita Parish from 2008-10 and as a volunteer at Helping Hands in West Terre Haute from 2010-15.

Sister Jane also served in the Evansville Diocese, the Gary Diocese, and in California, Illinois and Ohio.

Currently, she ministers in prayer at the motherhouse.

Sister Carolyn Glynn is a native of Malden, Mass. She entered the congregation on July 22, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1961.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in education at DePaul University in Chicago and a doctor of ministry degree at the Graduate Theology Foundation.

Sister Carolyn served in the archdiocese at St. Anthony School in Indianapolis from 1958-61.

She has also ministered in California, Florida, Illinois and Massachusetts.

She currently serves as a driver at the motherhouse.

Sister Marilyn Ann Kofler is a native of Chicago. She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1960.

Sister Marilyn Ann earned a Bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in education administration at the University of Illinois at Champaign, Ill., a master’s degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a doctor of ministry degree from the University of St. Mary-of-the-Lake in Mundelein, Ill.

In the archdiocese, she served at St. Malachy School in Brownsburg from 1959-61.

Sister Marilyn Ann also served in the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese and in Illinois, North Carolina and Texas.

She currently ministers in social justice advocacy in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Sister Jeanette Marie Lucinio is a native of Evanston, Ill. She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1960.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in religious studies at the University of St. Mary-of-the-Lake, a master’s degree in divinity at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a doctor of ministry degree at Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago.

In the archdiocese, she served at St. Paul School in Sellersburg (now St. John Paul II School) from 1955-56, at St. James the Greater School in Indianapolis (now Central Catholic School) from 1959-60 and at the motherhouse as vocations office coordinator from 2017-20 and a volunteer from 2020-22.

Currently, Sister Jeanette Marie ministers at the motherhouse in residential services and health care ministries.

Sister Ann Paula Pohlman is a native of Indianapolis where she grew up as a member of St. Philip Neri Parish. She entered the congregation on Jan. 6, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1960.

Sister Ann Paula earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in elementary education at Ball State University and a master’s degree in religious education from Seattle University in Seattle.

In the archdiocese, she served in Indianapolis at the former St. Catherine of Siena School from 1968-71, at the former South Central Catholic School from 1974-76, at Providence Cristo Rey High School from 2006-2008, and in activities at the motherhouse from 2015-20.

Sister Ann Paula has also ministered in the Lafayette Diocese and in Florida, Illinois and Massachusetts.

She currently serves in residential services at the motherhouse.

60-year jubilarians

Sister Jeremy Gallet is a native of Chicago. She entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, and professed perpetual vows on Sept. 29, 1973.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in urban education at Indiana University, a master’s degree in liturgy at the University of Notre Dame in northern Indiana and a doctorate in theology and the arts at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif.

She has served in the Evansville Diocese and the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, and in California, Illinois, Oregon and Texas.

Sister Jeremy is currently between ministries and is in residence at the motherhouse.

Sister Elizabeth (formerly Sister Mary Andrew) Koressel, is a native of Elberfeld, Ind. She entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1971.

Sister Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in elementary education at Ball State University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis.

In the archdiocese, she served in New Albany at the former Central Catholic School from 1977-79 and the former St. Mary School from 1979-86, and at the motherhouse as administrator of the ministry of care from 2016-18.

Sister Elizabeth also ministered in the Evansville Diocese, the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese and in Illinois.

She currently serves as a volunteer in the ministry of care at the motherhouse.

Sister Patricia (formerly Sister Mary Philip) McGlynn, is a native of Chicago. She entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, and professed perpetual vows on Nov. 24, 1973.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in elementary education at Indiana University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Patricia served at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis from 1976-82.

She also ministered in the Evansville Diocese and in Illinois.

Sister Patricia currently serves as a volunteer caregiver in Illinois.

Sister Janice (formerly Sister Joachim) Ostowski, is a native of Berwyn, Ill. She entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, and professed perpetual vows on Nov. 10, 1973.

She earned an associate’s degree in business management and information at Triton University in River Grove, Ill., a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the National College of Education in Evanston, Ill.

In the archdiocese, Sister Janice served at the former Saint Mary-of-the-Woods School from 1967-68.

She has also ministered in Illinois.

Sister Janice currently serves as a volunteer at Gottleib Hospital in Melrose Park, Ill.

Sister Denise Wilkinson is a native of Evergreen Park, Ill. She entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 25, 1973.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree in counseling at St. Louis University in St. Louis.

In the archdiocese, Sister Denise served at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College from 1974-79 and 1980-89 and in Indianapolis at the Hispanic Education Center from 1991-93.

In the congregation, she served as a director of formation from 1993-96, as director of the Office of Congregational Advancement from 1996-2001, as vicar and general councilor from 2001-06, as superior general from 2006-16 and as a donor relations associate from 2017-19.

Sister Denise has also ministered in Illinois, Massachusetts and Missouri.

She currently ministers as a volunteer at the motherhouse.

25-year jubilarians

Sister Anji Fan entered the congregation on Sept. 17, 1998, and professed perpetual vows on June 25, 2006.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and religious studies at the University of San Francisco and a master’s degree in mathematics at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

In the archdiocese, Sister Anji has served at Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis from 2008-09 and Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg from 2016-21.

She currently is a student at the University of Louisville.

Sister Susan Paweski is a native of Chicago. She entered the congregation on Sept. 17, 1998, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 14, 2005.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Saint Mary-of-the-Lake, a master’s degree in education at National Louis University in Chicago, a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Loyola University Chicago and a master’s degree in Earth literacy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

In the archdiocese, Sister Susan has served in the congregation’s Office of Congregational Advancement from 2002-12.

She also has ministered in Illinois.

Sister Susan currently serves as co-director of Providence Associates for the congregation and resides in Brookfield, Ill. †