Special to The Message
Twelve Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, with ties to the Diocese of Evansville, are celebrating a jubilee this year.
The Sisters of Providence, a congregation of nearly 250 women religious with more than 280 Providence Associates, collaborate with others to create a more just and hope-filled world through prayer, education, service and advocacy.
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin founded the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840. Their motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, northwest of downtown Terre Haute, Indiana, is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
75-year Jubilarians
Sister Adele Beacham was born in Toronto, Canada. Sister Adele, formerly Sister Joseph Therese, entered the congregation July 22, 1946, from Holy Angels Parish in Dayton, Ohio. She professed perpetual vows Jan. 23, 1954.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Adele ministered as a pastoral associate at St. Anthony Parish in Evansville from 1990-93. She has ministered at other locations in Indiana and Illinois.
Currently, she ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
Sister Mary Lois Hennel is a native of Evansville. Sister Mary Lois entered the congregation July 21, 1946, from St. Mary Parish in Evansville. She professed perpetual vows Jan. 23, 1954.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Mary Lois ministered as a teacher at St. Joseph in Jasper from 1965-69, and as a teacher at Sacred Heart in Evansville from 1969-70. She has ministered at other locations in Indiana, Illinois, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and California.
Currently, she ministers in residential services and as a volunteer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
70-year Jubilarians
Sister Kathleen Kelly is a native of Chicago. Sister Kathleen, formerly Sister Edward Marie, entered the congregation Feb. 2, 1951, from Resurrection Parish in Chicago. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1958.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Kathleen ministered as a teacher at St. John in Evansville from 1958-61. She has also ministered at other locations in Indiana, Illinois and California.
Currently, she ministers as a spiritual director and volunteer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
Sister Lucille Lechner is a native of Jasper. Sister Lucille, formerly Sister Mary Louis, entered the congregation Jan. 9, 1951, from St. Joseph Parish in Jasper. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1957.
Sister Lucille has ministered at locations in Indiana and Illinois.
Currently, she ministers as a volunteer and assistant to the administrator of Providence Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
Sister Marie Grace Molloy is a native of Indianapolis. Sister Marie Grace entered the congregation Feb. 2, 1951, from St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1958.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Marie Grace ministered as a teacher at St. John School in Vincennes from 1953-57, and as a teacher at St. Joseph in Jasper from 1974-75. She has ministered at other locations in Indiana and Illinois.
Currently, she ministers in the Archives Department at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, as well as the coordinator of the St. John Academy of Indianapolis Alumnae Association.
Sister Rosemary Rafter is a native of Bloomington, Ill. Sister Rosemary, formerly Sister Rose Clare, entered the congregation Feb. 2, 1951, from St. Patrick Parish in Terre Haute. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1958.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Rosemary ministered as a teacher at Sacred Heart in Evansville from 1965-1972. She also ministered as principal at the school from 1966-72. Sister Rosemary has ministered at other locations in Indiana, New Hampshire and Illinois.
Currently, she ministers as a volunteer at St. Thomas Hospice, Hinsdale, Ill.
Sister Mary Lou Ruck is a native of Evanston, Ill. Sister Mary Lou, formerly Sister Mary Lucian, entered the congregation Feb. 2, 1951, from St. Francis Xavier in Wilmette, Ill. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1958.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Mary Lou ministered as a teacher at Sacred Heart in Evansville from 1954-57. She has ministered in other locations in Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Ohio and Kentucky.
Currently, she ministers as a volunteer and healing energy practitioner at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
60-year Jubilarians
Sister Susan Dinnin is a native of Indianapolis. Sister Susan, formerly Sister Mary de Sales, entered the congregation Sept. 18, 1961, from St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1969.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Susan ministered as a teacher at St. Joseph in Jasper from 1966-71. She has ministered in other locations in Indiana and Michigan.
Currently, she serves in the ministry of care in the Indianapolis-area and as the coordinator for the St. Agnes of Indianapolis Alumnae Association.
Sister Mary Catherine Guiler is a native of Washington, D.C. Sister Mary Catherine, formerly Sister Martha Patrick, entered the congregation Sept. 18, 1961, from St. Ann Parish in Washington, D.C. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1969.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Mary Catherine ministered as a teacher at Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville from 1968-73. She has also ministered in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.
Currently, she ministers as a substitute teacher for the Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Md.
Sister Betty Hopf is a native of Jasper. Sister Betty, formerly Sister Barbara Francis, entered the congregation Sept. 18, 1961, from Holy Family Parish in Jasper. She professed perpetual vows May 24, 1970.
Sister Betty has ministered at several locations around Indiana.
Currently, she ministers as a chaplain at the Hux Cancer Center in Terre Haute.
Sister Margaret Lynch is a native of Chicago. Sister Margaret, formerly Sister James Patrick, entered the congregation Sept. 18, 1961, from St. Mark Parish in Chicago. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 16, 1969.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Margaret ministered as the Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese from 1986-87. She has also ministered at other locations in Indiana and Illinois.
Currently, she ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
Sister Mary Morley is a native of Indianapolis. Sister Mary, formerly Sister David Mary, entered the congregation Sept. 18, 1961, from St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1969.
During her time in the Diocese of Evansville, Sister Mary ministered as a teacher at St. John in Loogootee from 1967-69, and as the religious educator of Greene County at St. Peter Parish in Linton, Holy Name Parish in Bloomfield, and St. Joan of Arc Parish in Jasonville from 1969-72.
Sister Mary has also ministered in other locations in Indiana and Ohio.
Currently, she ministers as a volunteer and GED Tutor at the East End Adult Learning Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.