Eighteen Providence sisters celebrate 60th jubilees

Eighteen Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are celebrating the anniversaries of their religious profession 60 years ago.

They are Sisters Laurette Bellamy, Ann Marie Boyce, Helen Therese Conway, Luke Crawford, Eileen Dede, Jane Michael Dwyer, Dorothy Gartland, Terese Marie Havlik, James Michael Kesterson, Marilyn Therese Lipps, Regina Ann Lynch, Ann Renee Maxwell, Regis McNulty, Grace Marie Meehan, Mary Jane Newman, Donna O’Neill, Joan Mary Schaefer and Rita Ann Wade.

A native of Chicago, Sister Laurette Bellamy ministers as a faculty member at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and for the Woods External Degree program. She also volunteers at St. Ann Clinic in Terre Haute.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, from St. Mel Parish in Chicago and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Laurette earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, master’s degree in music at The Catholic University of America and doctorate in music theory at Indiana University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Laurette taught at the former Ladywood School in Indianapolis from 1950-52 and 1957-64.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, she taught from 1952-53, 1955-57 and 1968-71, was a professor from 1979-2003, served as chairperson of the music department from 1979-90, was chairperson of the visual and performing arts department from 1990-92, ministered as the music area coordinator from 1992-2003, and served on the adjunct faculty of the Woods External Degree program from 2003-06.

In 2006, she began volunteering at the St. Ann Clinic in Terre Haute.

A native of Richmond, Sister Ann Marie Boyce ministers as a driver at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Jan. 7, 1948, from St. Mary Parish in Richmond and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Ann Marie taught at the former St. Ann School in Indianapolis from 1950-53, served as assistant principal at St. Jude School in Indianapolis from 1977-78, taught at St. Susanna School in Plainfield from 1959-64, ministered as principal at the former St. Anne School in New Castle from 1967-72 and as a teacher from 1967-77, served as principal or teacher at St. Paul School in Sellersburg from 1978-85, and taught at the former Sacred Heart School in Terre Haute from 1996-99.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Ann Marie was administrator of Providence Hall from 1986-90.

A native of Chicago, Sister Helen Therese Conway serves as an administrative assistant for Providence Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, from Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Chicago and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Helen Therese taught at St. Andrew School in Indianapolis from 1950-53, the former St. Catherine School in Indianapolis from 1965-67, the former Holy Trinity School in New Albany from 1953-54, the former Sacred Heart School in Terre Haute from 1954-55, Our Lady of the Greenwood School in Greenwood from 1967-69, and St. Michael School in Greenfield from 1969-1977 and as principal from 1972-87.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Helen Therese ministered as a provincial staff administrative assistant from 1987-91, residential services administrative assistant from 1992-96, and congregation campus services administrative assistant from 1996-2003.

A native of Terre Haute, Sister Luke Crawford ministers as a member of the residential services staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1948, from St. Margaret Mary Parish in Terre Haute and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

Sister Luke earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and master’s degree in English at the University of Notre Dame.

In the archdiocese, Sister Luke taught at St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis in 1956, served on the staff at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis from 1975-77, was a lobbyist for the Indiana Catholic Conference at the Indiana General Assembly in Indianapolis from 1984-85, taught at Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville from 1956-57, and served in campus ministry at Indiana University in Bloomington from 1968-70.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Luke served as dean of students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College from 1965-66, director of admissions from 1970-73, provincial councilor of the Sisters of Providence from 1977-84, director of communications and public relations from 1977-81, and director of Christian development from 1981-84.

A native of Terre Haute, Sister Eileen Dede ministers as a volunteer in the Clearwater, Fla., area.

Sister Eileen, the former Sister Anita Therese, entered the congregation on Jan. 7, 1948, from St. Ann Parish in Terre Haute and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Eileen taught at the former St. Patrick School in Indianapolis from 1951-53, Holy Spirit School in Indianapolis from 1959-65, Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis from 1965-67, St. Luke School in Indianapolis from 1971-73, St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis from 1973-77 and St. Malachy School in Brownsburg from 1955-57.

She also served as principal of the former Sacred Heart School in Terre Haute from 1983-84 and ministered in clinical pastoral education at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in 1977.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Eileen served as director of pastoral care from 1984-90 and assistant director of pastoral care from 1990-91.

A native of Arlington, Mass., Sister Jane Michael Dwyer ministers as a teacher at St. Rose School at Chelsea, Mass.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1948, from Our Lady of Grace Parish in Everett, Mass., and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Jane Michael taught at the former St. Margaret Mary School in Terre Haute from 1956-57.

A native of St. Joseph, Mo., Sister Dorothy Gartland ministers as youth services coordinator in Chicago.

Sister Dorothy, the former Sister Margaret Eugene, entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Chicago and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Dorothy taught at St. Malachy School in Brownsburg from 1957-59.

A native of Chicago, Sister Terese Marie Havlik ministers as a caregiver in Chicago.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, from St. Odilo Parish in Berwyn, Ill., and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Terese Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and master’s degree in guidance counseling at Northern Illinois University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Terese Marie taught at St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis from 1950-54 and

St. Anthony School in Indianapolis from 1954-55.

A native of Indianapolis, Sister James Michael Kesterson ministers as principal at St. Jude School in Indianapolis.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, from St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, she taught at St. Andrew School in Indianapolis from 1954-55 and 1965-68, the former St. Ann School in Terre Haute from 1961-65, and Our Lady of the Greenwood School in Greenwood from 1968-69, and served as principal at Our Lady of the Greenwood School from 1968-78.

A native of Indianapolis, Sister Marilyn Therese Lipps ministers as a member of the residential services staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 16, 1948, from St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

Sister Marilyn Therese earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, master’s degree in special education at Indiana University and master’s degree in theology at Seattle University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Marilyn Therese taught at St. Susanna School in Plainfield from 1958-61, served as religious education coordinator at St. Susanna Parish from 1978-87, taught and served as principal at the former Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Village School in St. Mary-of-the-Woods from 1961-63, taught at the former St. Bridget School in Indianapolis from 1963-67, taught at Holy Cross School in Indianapolis from 1968-69, and ministered as a special education teacher in the archdiocese from 1969-77.

Sister Marilyn Therese also served as an AIDS chaplain at the Damien Center in Indianapolis from 1988-92, volunteer at St. Mary Child Center from 1995-98, and volunteer at St. Paul Hermitage in Beech Grove from 1997-98.

A native of Indianapolis, Sister Regina Ann Lynch ministers as a volunteer in health care services at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1948, from St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Regina Ann taught at Our Lady of the Greenwood School in Greenwood from 1955-58, St. Patrick School in Terre Haute from 1958-60, St. Paul School in Sellersburg from 1966-67, and All Saints School in Indianapolis from 1979-96.

She also ministered as a volunteer, sacristan and catechist at St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis from 2002-06, nurse’s assistant at St. Paul Hermitage in Beech Grove from 1996-2001, and volunteer at St. Paul Hermitage from 2001-02.

A native of Joliet, Ill, Sister Ann Renee Maxwell ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1948, from St. Mary Parish in Joliet and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

Sister Ann Renee earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the infirmary staff from 1969-71, 1976-77 and 1978-79, as a licensed practical nurse from 1979-81 and 1984-86, and on the health care services staff from 2000-05.

A native of Chelsea, Mass., Sister Regis McNulty ministers as a consultant for behavioral health for the Dublin Group in Dublin, N.H.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 11, 1948, from St. Rose Parish in Chelsea and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Regis earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, master’s degree in education psychology at Boston College and master’s degree in counseling psychology at Antioch University.

In the archdiocese, she taught at the former St. Ann School in Terre Haute from 1954-55.

A native of Chicago, Sister Grace Marie Meehan ministers in volunteer holistic health service in Chicago.

She entered the congregation on Jan. 7, 1948, from St. Andrew Parish in Chicago and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, she taught at the former St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis from 1950-51, Our Lady of the Greenwood School in Greenwood from 1959-68, served as principal at Our Lady of the Greenwood School from 1962-68, taught at St. Mary School in Richmond from

1968-69, and taught and served as principal at St. Michael School in Greenfield from 1969-72.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Grace Marie served on the corporate renewal team from 1972-76, ministered as an administrative assistant at Providence Infirmary in 1976, served as infirmary administrator from 1976-81, and worked as a registered nurse in health care services from 1983-84.

A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Sister Mary Jane Newman ministers as a volunteer at Woods Day Care/Pre-School at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Mary Jane, the former Sister Patrick Ann, entered the congregation on July 21, 1948, from St. Patrick Parish in Fort Wayne and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Mary Jane taught at St. Michael School in Greenfield from 1956-58, Holy Spirit School in Indianapolis from 1962-66, and St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis from 1972-76.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the residential services staff from 2003-07.

A native of Chicago, Sister Donna O’Neill ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Donna, the former Sister Laurence Therese, entered the congregation on July 22, 1948, from Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Chicago and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Donna taught at the former St. Joseph School in Indianapolis from 1953-54 and St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis from 1954-55.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as administrator of Providence Hall from 1994-96, residential services co-director from 1996-2001, sacristan and health care services companion from 2002-04 and residential services staff member from 2004-05.

A native of Cicero, Ill., Sister Joan Mary Schaefer ministers as a substitute teacher in River Grove, Ill.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1948, from Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Cicero and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1956.

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

In the archdiocese, she taught at the former St. Ann School in New Castle from 1951-53, St. Mary School in Richmond from 1954-55 and the former St. John School in Indianapolis from 1956-59.

A native of Indianapolis, Sister Rita Ann Wade ministers as co-director of Miracle Place in Indianapolis.

Sister Rita Ann, the former Sister Rose Annette, entered the congregation on Jan. 7, 1948, from St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Rita Ann taught at Nativity School in Indianapolis from 1955-57, Holy Cross School in Indianapolis from 1964-66 and

1969-71, and St. Luke School in Indianapolis from 1971-76.

Sister Rita Ann also ministered as a chaplain at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis from 1977-99. †