Four celebrate 75, 80 year as Sisters of Providence

This year two Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods will celebrate 75 years in the Congregation and two will mark 80-year anniversaries. In addition to other ministries, all 4 sisters ministered in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis at one time, giving 117 years of service in the places listed below.

Celebrating 75 year anniversaries are:

Sister Rita (formerly Edward Clare) Lerner ministered in Indianapolis at St. Matthew School (1977-1983) and at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in residential and health services (1983-2006). Her current ministry is prayer.

Sister Alexa Suelzer taught in Terre Haute at St. Patrick High School (1941-1946) and at St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis (1946-1950). Sister ministered at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in several capacities: teacher and professor at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1962-1965 and 1982-2002); at Providence Juniorate High School (1965-1968); as a member of the Sister of Providence General Council (1972-1976); and in residential services (2002-2012). She currently has a special prayer ministry at the motherhouse.

Celebrating 80-year anniversaries are:

Sister Mary Esther (formerly Francis Gertrude) Lane taught at St. Charles School in Bloomington (1940-1941); St. Joseph School, Terre Haute (1952-1957) and St. Paul School, Sellersburg (1957-1958). In Indianapolis sister ministered at St. Anthony School (1945-1946); St. Agnes Academy (1967-1969); Ladywood-St. Agnes High School (1972-1975) and at Fatima Retreat House (1975-1976). Currently she has a special prayer ministry at the motherhouse.

Sister Marceline Mattingly taught in Indianapolis at St. Anthony School (1938-1940) and St. Philip Neri School (1942-1946). In Richmond, sister ministered at St. Mary School (1940-1941). Sister taught at Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville (1968-1970) and also served as pastoral associate at St. Mary Parish in New Albany (1983-1989), followed by ministry to the retirement community at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (1989-1991). She ministered at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College (1966-1968 and 1991-1993 and 1994-2001). Since 2001 she has volunteered in health-care services.