Sisters of Providence honor golden jubilarians
Fourteen Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are celebrating their golden jubilee.
Providence Sisters Josephine Bryan, Suzanne Dailey, Jean Fuqua, Ann Matilda Holloran, Rita Lechner, Marijo Lynch, Margaret Ann McNamara, Kathryn McNulty, Nancy Nolan, Ann Margaret O’Hara, Mary Ann Phelan, Margaret Quinlan, Alice Ann Rhinesmith and Rose Marie Thole were honored during a eucharistic liturgy on July 2 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at the motherhouse.
Sister Josephine Bryan, a native of Hollywood, Md., ministers as director of Health and Human Services for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in LaCrosse, Wis.
The former Sister Joseph Anthony entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from Holy Redeemer Parish in College Park, Md., and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Xavier College and a master’s degree in medical and surgical nursing from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.
In Indianapolis, Sister Josephine taught at St. Andrew School from 1960-61 and St. Joan of Arc School from 1961-64. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she ministered at the infirmary as a staff member from 1964-65, second-floor head nurse from 1967-69, supervisor from 1971-73 and director of nursing from 1976-84. She also ministered in Vietnam.
Sister Suzanne Dailey, a native of Lincoln, Neb., ministers as director of adult education for Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Ill.
The former Sister Suzanne Marie entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from St. Ambrose Parish in Cheverly, Md., and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in social studies then received a master’s degree in U.S. history from Indiana University and a doctorate in U.S. history from St. Louis University.
In the archdiocese, Sister Suzanne taught at Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville from 1964-67. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, she served as an assistant/associate professor from 1971-82, vice president for academic affairs from 1982-90 and executive vice president/provost from 1990-93. She also ministered in Bogota, Columbia.
Sister Jean Fuqua, a native of Owensboro, Ky., ministers as assistant director of the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1955, from The Immaculate Parish in Owensboro and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1962. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics then received a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in business management from Indiana University.
In the archdiocese, Sister Jean taught at Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville from 1962-67. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, she ministered as a teacher from 1967-77, dean of students from 1967-73, vice president of student affairs from 1973-77, vice president for development from 1977-85, assistant professor from 1987-90 and associate professor from 1990-98. She also served as coordinator of natural resources at the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 1998-2002.
Sister Ann Matilda Holloran, a native of Indianapolis, ministers at Community Hospital East in Indianapolis, where she has served as a chaplain for 16 years.
She entered the congregation on Jan. 5, 1955, from St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1962. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University.
In Indianapolis, Sister Ann Matilda taught at St. Jude School from 1966-71 and St. Simon School from 1971-77 then served as pastoral associate at St. Bernadette Parish from 1985-89.
Sister Rita Lechner, a native of Jasper, Ind., ministers as pastoral associate at Immaculate Conception and St. Columba parishes in Hawesville, Ky.
The former Sister Veronica entered the congregation on Jan. 5, 1955, from St. Joseph Parish in Jasper and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1962. 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 Rita taught at the former St. Ann School in Indianapolis from 1959-60 and served as a teacher, principal, pastoral minister and Indiana Women’s Prison minister at Holy Cross School and Holy Cross Parish in Indianapolis from 1967-72. She also taught at Holy Spirit School in Indianapolis from 1972-81 and the former St. Benedict School in Terre Haute from 1963-67.
Sister Marijo Lynch, a native of Chicago, ministers as a teacher at Hamilton Adult Education Center in Torrance, Calif.
The former Sister Marie Ignatius entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from St. Agnes Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. 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 from DePaul University.
At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Sister Marijo served as administrative assistant for academic services from 1986-88 and assistant director of the Women’s External Degree program from 1988-90.
Sister Margaret Ann McNamara, a native of Chicago, ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
The former Sister Marie Nicholas entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from St. Mel Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Loyola University.
In the archdiocese, Sister Margaret Ann taught at Holy Family School in New Albany from 1960-63. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as a general officer for the congregation from 1996-2001.
Sister Kathryn McNulty, a native of Detroit, ministers as a volunteer at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
The former Sister Loretta Michael entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from St. Ignatius Parish in Chicago and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in home economics then received a master’s degree in education from the National College of Education.
In the archdiocese, Sister Kathryn taught at the former St. Benedict School in Terre Haute from 1959-62.
Sister Nancy Nolan, a native of Galesburg, Ill., ministers as president of Guérin College Preparatory School in River Grove, Ill.
The former Sister Jean Paula entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1955, from Corpus Christi Parish in Galesburg and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1962. 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 Illinois and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University.
In the archdiocese, Sister Nancy taught at St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis from 1959-65 then served as associate administrator and director of religious education at St. Ann Parish in Terre Haute from 1985-96. She served the congregation as general superior of the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 1986-96. She also ministered in Taiwan.
Sister Ann Margaret O’Hara, a native of Louisville, Ky., ministers as general superior of the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
She entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Clarksville and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English then received a master’s degree in business education from Indiana University and a master’s degree in pastoral theology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
In the archdiocese, Sister Ann Margaret taught at the former Bishop Chartrand High School in Indianapolis from 1963-67. She served as executive secretary of the congregation’s St. Gabriel Province in Indiana from 1975-76. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, she served as dean of administration from 1976-77 and vice president for student affairs from 1977-78. She ministered as a general officer for the congregation from 1991-2001 and as vicar from 1996-2001.
Sister Mary Ann Phelan, a native of Baltimore, ministers as associate promoter of Mother Theodore Guérin’s Cause at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
The former Sister Marie Marcella entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from St. Clement Parish in Lansdowne, Md., and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in social studies.
Sister Mary Ann also ministered in Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Sister Margaret Quinlan, a native of Troy, N.Y., ministers as adjunct instructor for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and the Women’s External Degree program, and also serves as director of education for Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries in West Terre Haute.
The former Sister Ann Jude entered the congregation on July 22, 1955, from Holy Spirit Parish in Evansville, Ind., and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in social studies then received a master’s degree in English from Indiana University.
In the archdiocese, Sister Margaret taught at Nativity School in Indianapolis from 1960-62 and Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville from 1972-78 and 1979-81. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she taught students in the Aspirancy program from 1964-66.
Sister Alice Ann Rhinesmith, a native of Bellefonte, Pa., ministers as business manager for Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park, Ill.
She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1955, from St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1962. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in business education then received a master’s degree in business education and office administration from Ball State University and a master’s degree in health service administration from the University of St. Francis.
In the archdiocese, Sister Alice Ann taught at Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville from 1963-67, the former Bishop Schulte High School in Terre Haute from 1967-68, the former Bishop Chartrand High School in Indianapolis from 1968-69 and Roncalli High School in Indianapolis from 1969-71. She served as secretary-treasurer of the congregation’s St. Gabriel Province in Indiana from 1971-73 and treasurer of St. Gabriel Province from 1973-78. She also served as administrator of the Providence Retirement Home in New Albany from 1978-79. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, she served as vice president for business affairs from 1979-86.
Sister Rose Marie Thole, a native of Evansville, Ind., ministers as assistant director of nursing for Health Care Services at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
The former Sister Anthony Marie entered the congregation on Jan. 5, 1955, from Assumption Parish in Evansville and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1962. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then received a master’s degree in nursing from St. Xavier College.
At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Rose Marie served on the infirmary staff from 1959-65 and 1967-77 and as supervisor of Health Care Services from 1994-2002. †