Sisters of Providence honor
diamond jubilarians

Sixteen Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are celebrating their diamond jubilee of profession.

Providence Sisters Gerry Cavanaugh, Ruth Eileen Dwyer, Kathleen Mary Gay, Rita Clare Gerardot, Mildred Giesler, Ann Jeanette Gootee, Dorothy Hucksoll, Kathryn Koressel, Anne Krause, Judith Mangin, Marianne McGriffin, Patricia Melton, Florence Norton, Marie Victoria Podesta, Miriam Clare Stoll and Ann Clement Voegerl were honored by the congregation during a Mass and reception in December.

Sister Gerry Cavanaugh, a native of Chicago, ministers as coordinator of Marywood Evanston alumnae in Illinois.

The former Sister Marie Richard Cavanaugh entered the congregation on July 22, 1944, from St. Genevieve Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from Indiana State University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Gerry taught at the former St. John School in Indianapolis from 1947-49, the former Holy Trinity School in New Albany from 1949-50 and the former Sacred Heart School in Terre Haute in 1951.

Sister Ruth Eileen Dwyer, a native of Chicago, volunteers at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1944, from St. Leo Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1951. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in business then received a master’s degree in theology from St. Xavier University and a doctorate in ministry from St. Mary of the Lake University.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Ruth Eileen served as an instructor for the sisters’ novitiate from 1964-65 and was a general officer of the congregation from 1981-86. Her ministries at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College included professor, director of continuing education, acting vice president and vice president of academic affairs, associate professor, director of the master’s of arts in pastoral theology program and adjunct professor from 1967-2004. She also served as a teacher and principal at Holy Spirit School in Indianapolis from 1955-61.

Sister Kathleen Mary Gay, a native of Woburn, Mass., ministers as a teacher at St. Rose School in Chelsea, Mass.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1944, from St. Patrick Parish in Stone­ham, Mass., and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from Rivier College.

In the archdiocese, Sister Kathleen Mary taught at the former Holy Trinity School in New Albany in 1947, Holy Spirit School in Indianapolis from 1960-62 and St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis from 1962-65.

Sister Rita Clare Gerardot, a native of New Haven, Ind., ministers as coordinator of the Wellness Center at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 21, 1944, from St. Louis Parish in New Haven and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English then received a master’s degree in education from Indiana State University.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Rita Clare served as the health care local community representative from 1992-96. In Indianapolis, she taught at the former St. Catherine School from 1947-51, served as principal at St. Luke School from 1967-73, taught at St. Simon School from 1973-77 and was parish minister at Cathedral Parish from 1981-89.

Sister Mildred Giesler, a native of Jasper, Ind., ministers as a member of the residential services staff.

The former Sister Alma Joseph Giesler entered the congregation on Jan. 10, 1944, from St. Joseph Parish in Jasper and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1951. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from Indiana State University and a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Seattle.

In the archdiocese, Sister Mildred taught at the former St. Anne School in New Castle from 1955-58, St. Andrew School in Indianapolis from 1959-65 and St. Simon School in Indianapolis from 1981-88. She also served in parish ministry at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloom­ington from 1979-81.

Sister Ann Jeanette Gootee, a native of Indian­apolis, serves as a minister of care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Jan. 10, 1944, from St. Philip Neri Parish in Indianapolis and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1951. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in music then received a master’s degree in music history from Butler University and a master’s degree in social work from St. Louis University.

Sister Ann Jeanette taught at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis from 1970-71 then ministered as a social worker and coordinator at the Indiana University Medical Center in Indian­a­polis from 1976-80. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as provincial councilor for the Sacred Heart Province from 1980-88 and as co-coordinator for health care from 2000-02.

Sister Dorothy Hucksoll, a native of Oak Park, Ill., ministers as a member of the residential services staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

The former Sister Francis Ellen Hucksoll entered the congregation on July 22, 1944, from St. Angela Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree and an education specialist degree in reading from Indiana University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Dorothy taught at the former St. Catherine School in Indianapolis from 1950-51 and 1952-56 and Holy Family School in New Albany from 1956-58. She taught at St. Charles Borromeo School in Bloom­ington from 1969-70 and was principal from 1971-72. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as a nursing assistant from 1988-90, on the transportation staff and as the residents’ treasurer from 1990-92, and as a companion to the sick from 1992-2001.

Sister Kathryn Koressel, a native of Evansville, Ind., ministers as a staff member for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Evansville.

The former Sister Alfreda Marie Koressel entered the congregation on July 20, 1944, from Sacred Heart Parish in Evansville and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from Indiana State University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Kathryn taught at Holy Cross School in Indianapolis from 1951-52, the former St. Paul School in Sellersburg from 1959-65 and the former Annunciation School in Brazil from 1976-86. She served as a receptionist at the Providence Retirement Home in New Albany from 1987-99.

Sister Anne Krause, a native of Chicago, volunteers at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

The former Sister Marie Robert Krause entered the congregation on July 22, 1944, from St. Matthew Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in commerce then received a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame.

In the archdiocese, Sister Anne taught at the former St. Joseph School in Terre Haute from 1949-53 then served as a teacher and principal at the former St. Catherine School in Indianapolis from 1956-1962. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as general treasurer from 1981-91 and planned giving manager from 1991-99.

Sister Judith Mangin, a native of Washington, Ind., ministers as a member of the residential services staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 21, 1944, from St. Mary Parish in Washington and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from Indiana University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Judith taught at the former Holy Trinity School in New Albany from 1947-48, the former St. Margaret Mary School in Terre Haute from 1961-63, St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis from 1963-65, St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis from 1972-74 and the former Annunciation School in Brazil in 1978. In Indianapolis, she served as a cook at the Cathedral Rectory from 1974-78, ministered on the adult education staff for the United Southside Community Organization from 1978-81 and taught at Martin University from 1982-95. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she managed the Providence Co-op from 1996-2001 and served as a tutor for Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries from 2001-02.

Sister Marianne McGriffin, a native of Linton, Ind., ministers as a consultant in spirituality and religious education for Open SPaces in Elkhart, Ind.

The former Sister Trinita Marie McGriffin entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1944, from St. Peter Parish in Linton and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1951. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from the University of Dayton and a master’s degree in religious education from the University of Notre Dame.

In the archdiocese, Sister Marianne taught at St. Charles Borromeo School in Bloomington from 1955-58 then served as a teacher and principal at the former St. Benedict School in Terre Haute from 1959-66.

Sister Patricia Melton, also a native of Linton, ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

The former Sister Leone Marie Melton entered the congregation on July 22, 1944, from St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from Indiana University.

Sister Patricia taught at St. Patrick School in Terre Haute in 1947. At St. Mary Parish in Rushville, she served as parish program coordinator from 1978-79, pastoral associate and administrator of religious education from 1979-82 and director of religious education from1982-96. In Indianapolis, she taught at Holy Spirit School from 1959-67, Immaculate Heart of Mary School from 1967-68, the former St. Agnes Academy from 1969-70, the former Ladywood-St. Agnes School from 1970-76 and the former Latin School from 1976-78. She served as the coordinator of Lady­wood-St. Agnes Alumnae from 1997-2003.

Sister Florence Norton, a native of Chicago, ministers as pastoral associate for Our Lady of Grace Parish in Chicago.

The former Sister Thomas Ann Norton entered the congregation on Jan. 10, 1944, from St. Sylvester Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1951. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from St. Louis University.

In Indianapolis, Sister Florence taught at St. Thomas Aquinas School from 1946-50 and at the former St. Catherine School from 1950-52. She also ministered in Arequipa, Peru.

Sister Marie Victoria Podesta, a native of Chicago, volunteers at St. Mark School in Chicago.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1944, from St. Mel Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in education from St. Louis University.

In Indianapolis, Sister Marie Victoria taught at St. Philip Neri School in 1947 and St. Joan of Arc School from 1947-50. She served as a teacher and principal at St. Paul School in Sellersburg from 1963-69.

 

Sister Miriam Clare Stoll, a native of Clyde, Mo., ministers in prayer and in the sewing room at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Aug. 12, 1944, from Immaculate Conception Parish in Conception, Mo., and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education.

In Indianapolis, Sister Miriam Clare taught at Holy Spirit School from 1954-62 and St. Philip Neri School from 1966-71 then served as an administrator at St. Elizabeth Home in 1971, as a parish worker at St. Matthew Parish from 1971-72 and as a hospital visitor at St. Vincent Hospital from 1972-74. She ministered to the aging and sick at St. Patrick Parish in Terre Haute from 1986-94. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as a driver and helped in community services from 1994-96.

Sister Ann Clement Voegerl, a native of St. Anthony, Ind., ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1944, from St. Joseph Parish in Jasper and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1952.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Ann Clement served as a cook for the priests’ house from 1947-49, 1954-60 and 1964-78, coordinator of health care transportation from 1996-2000 and assistant manager of the Providence Co-op from 2001-02. In Indianapolis, she served as a cook at the former Ladywood School from 1949-51 and former St. Agnes Academy in 1952. She also served at the Providence Retirement Home in New Albany as laundress and housekeeper from 1978-79, laundress and food service staff member from 1979-82, executive housekeeper from 1982-86, associate food service director from 1986-87 and dietary manager from 1987-93. At the Providence House, she ministered in food service from 1993-94 and as an intergenerational companion from 1994-96. †