Special to The Message
The Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, gathered at the Woods from June 28-July 7 for their 41st General Chapter meeting. The meeting culminated in the election of the Congregation’s leadership team for the next five years.
Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp was named General Superior. Sister Lisa Stallings was selected as vicar. Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, Sister Tracey Horan and Sister Norene Wu were elected as general officers.
Sister Jeanne is a native of Indianapolis. Prior to being elected General Superior, she most recently ministered as the Congregation’s vicar/general treasurer and as General Councilor in the previous term.
Sister Jeanne entered the Congregation on Aug. 23, 1975. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 19, 1984.
She graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She also has a master’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in physics from Purdue University, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership Administration Supervision from the National College of Education, now known as National Louis University in Chicago.
Sister Jeanne also has a Doctorate of Education degree in Private School Administration/Leadership from the University of San Francisco.
A native of Evansville, Sister Lisa entered the Congregation on Aug. 23, 1975. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 25, 1984.
She graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English and has a master’s degree in English from Indiana University. In addition, she has a master’s degree in church music from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer and a master’s of science in theology from St. Meinrad School of Theology.
Sister of Providence Dr. Anne Therese Falkenstein is a native of Sommerville, Mass., and has been a Sister of Providence for 47 years. The latter part of her ministry, more than two and a half decades, has been in Catholic higher education in Taiwan, where she served as a professor, administrator, researcher, special assistant to the president and board member at Providence University, and has also founded the Office of International Affairs. Her leadership advanced international collaboration and academic excellence in Catholic higher education. She implemented several international academic exchange programs for students.
In her current role as a General Councilor, she serves on the boards of Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis, Providence Associates at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, and Providence Food Pantry in West Terre Haute.
Sister Anne Therese loves being a Sister of Providence, strives to live out the gospel message of love, mercy and justice, and admits she is more successful on some days than on others. She cherishes her close family ties, cool October days and friendships that stand the test of time. As she looks ahead to her second term as General Councilor, Sister Anne Therese is excited to plant seeds of hope for a more just world and invites others to join the Providence Community in this mission. She looks forward to working with the new team as they seek ways to live out the Chapter 2026 vision statement.
Sister Tracey Horan is a native of Indianapolis. Prior to being elected to Council, she ministered as the Associate Director of Education and Advocacy for the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Ariz.
Sister Tracey entered the Congregation on Sept. 8, 2014. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 20, 2022.
She has a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education and Spanish from the University of Dayton.
Sister Norene is a native of Taiwan. Prior to being elected to Council, she ministered as the Congregation’s Director of Novices in the United States.
Sister Norene entered the Congregation on Sept. 1, 1982. She professed perpetual vows on July 12, 1990.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Western Language & Literature from Providence College in Taiwan as well as a master’s of science in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in Maryland. In addition, she has a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University.