Providence sisters celebrate 50-year jubilees

Eight Sisters of Providence recently celebrated their 50th jubilees at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

They include Sisters Jeremy Gallet, Elizabeth Koressel, Patricia McGlynn, Janice Ostrowski, Agnes Mary Raetz, Joanna Valentino, Denise Wilkinson and Barbara Ann Zeller.

Sister Jeremy Gallet is a native of Chicago. She currently ministers as director of the office of worship for the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon.

Sister Jeremy entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge, Ill. She professed perpetual vows on Sept. 29, 1973.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She received a master’s degree in urban education from Indiana University and a master’s degree theology from the University of Notre Dame. She received a doctorate in theology and the arts from the Jesuit School of Theology.

In Indiana, Sister Jeremy ministered at Catholic schools in Fort Wayne and Jasper.

Sister Jeremy also ministered in Illinois, Texas and California.

Sister Elizabeth Koressel is a native of Elberfeld, Ind. She currently ministers as a pastoral associate at Precious Blood Parish in Jasper, Ind., in the Evansville Diocese.

Sister Elizabeth, the former Sister Mary Andrew, entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1971.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received a master’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Aquinas Institute of Theology.

In the archdiocese, she taught at the former Catholic Central in New Albany from 1977-79, and at former St. Mary School, also in New Albany, from 1979-86.

She also taught at Catholic schools in Evansville, and was a pastoral associate in Fort Wayne.

Sister Elizabeth also ministered in Illinois.

Sister Patricia McGlynn is a native of Chicago. She currently ministers as an educational records clerk at Guerin College Preparatory High School in River Grove, Ill.

Sister Patricia, the former Sister Mary Philip, entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from Immaculate Conception Parish in Chicago. She professed perpetual vows on Nov. 24, 1973.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She received a master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University.

In the archdiocese, she taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis from 1976-82.

She also taught in Newburgh, Ind., and ministered in Illinois.

Sister Janice Ostrowski is a native of Berwyn, Ill. She currently ministers in library supervision at Guerin College Preparatory High School in River Grove, Ill.

Sister Janice, the former Sister Joachim, entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from St. Barbara Parish in Chicago. She professed perpetual vows on Nov. 10, 1973.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received a master’s degree in education from the National College of Education at National Louis University in Lisle, Ill. She received as associate’s degree in business management from Triton College.

In the archdiocese, Sister Janice taught at the former Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Village School from 1967-68.

Sister Janice also ministered in Illinois.

Sister Agnes Mary Raetz is a native of Toledo, Ohio. She currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Agnes Mary entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1970.

At St. Mary-of-the-Woods, she ministered as secretary of the Generalate staff from 1968-83; secretary in the Office of Records from 1983-85; secretary to the general secretary from 1985-86; staff member in the Office of Record and Generalate staff from 1986-87; staff member of the Providence Phone Room; staff member, Central Business Office, from 1993-99; staff member in the Office of Congregational Advancement from 1999-2006; and as a staff member of the Residential Services staff from 2006-07.

Sister Agnes Mary also served as a clerical assistant in the Office of President and Student Affairs from 1987-89.

Sister Joanna Valentino is a native of Chicago. She currently ministers as the administrator for the Ministry of Care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Joanna, the former Sister Marie Dominic, entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from St. Angela Parish in Chicago. She professed perpetual vows on Oct. 26, 1969.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received a master’s degree in education from Indiana State University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Joanna ministered as manager of Meadows of Guerin, Inc. in Georgetown from 2009-10, and as a minister of care at Providence Health Care, Inc. at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 2010-12.

Sister Joanna also ministered in Illinois.

Sister Denise Wilkinson is a native of Chicago. She currently ministers as general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Denise, the former Sister Jessica, entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from St. Mary-of-the-Woods Parish in Chicago. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 25, 1973.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She received a master’s degree in counseling from St. Louis University.

Sister Denise served as assistant dean of residence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 1974-75; dean of residence from 1975-79; vice president of students affairs from 1982-89; director of the Office of Congregational Advancement from 1996-2001; and as vicar, general officer from 2001-06.

In Indianapolis, she was the congregation’s formation director from 1991-96, and a volunteer at its Hispanic Education Center from 1991-93.

Sister Denise also ministered in Illinois, Missouri and Massachusetts.

Sister Barbara Ann Zeller is a native of Evansville. She currently ministers as president and chief executive officer of Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries, Guerin Inc. and Meadows of Guerin Inc. in Georgetown, Ind.

Sister Barbara Ann, the former Sister Dorothy Jean, entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1963, from Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville. She professed perpetual vows on Sept. 15, 1974.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received a master’s degree in studies in aging from North Texas State University.

Sister Barbara Ann ministered as community director of retirement at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from 1971-76; as infirmary administrator in 1976; as director of gerontology from 1978-81; as a consultant for conferences and conventions from 1978-79; and as executive director, Maryvale from 1979-81.

In the archdiocese, she served as an administrative assistant with the office of Social Ministries from 1976-78; as director of social services for elderly housing at Pfister Co. in Terre Haute from 1981-82; and as administrator and chief executive officer at Providence Retirement Home in New Albany from 1982-94.

Sister Barbara Ann also served as a ministry consultant to the Sisters of Providence from 1994-95, and as director of Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries from 1995-2006.

She also taught in Jasper, Ind. †