Sisters of Providence select new officers

Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, a native of Chicago, has been elected as general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Elected to the Congregation’s General Council were Sisters Lisa Stallings, vicar, Jeanette Hagelskamp, Mary Beth Klingel and Jeneen Howard.

The officers-elect will be installed during a Eucharistic Liturgy on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1:30 p.m.

The election of officers is the culmination of the Congregation’s General Chapter, which takes place every five years. During General Chapter, the Congregation sets its direction for the upcoming five years, while also electing its leadership.

The Sisters of Providence affirmed their commitment to be mission- and ministry-driven and have chosen the environment as a special justice focus for the next five years. Additionally, they wish to extend their outreach to visitors and volunteers to the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice and Providence Spirituality and Conference Center, all at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

They also desire to encourage new life in the Congregation through new members and new Providence Associates, with a special view to deepen their awareness as an international and multicultural community.

A review of government structures and documents is also in the offing.

“As a leadership team, we feel privileged and challenged to be walking in the footsteps of our Saint Mother Theodore Guerin at such a critical time in the life of our community and our world,” Sister Dawn said. “We believe our world needs the healing touch of God’s loving care that we call Providence, and we pray that together with all our sisters, associates and ministry partners, we can contribute to a more just and hope-filled world.”

Sister Dawn, who succeeds Sister Denise Wilkinson – who served the Congregation as general superior for the past 10 years – entered the Congregation on Aug. 23, 1975, from St. John Brebeuf Parish in Niles, Illinois. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 19, 1984. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina and a master’s degree in theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Sister Dawn ministered as a teacher at Marywood School in Orange California (1977-1980). She also taught at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, now known as Guerin College Preparatory High School (1980-82).

She ministered as the Congregation’s director of communications (1984-1999), director of communications and development for the Congregation (1990-91), and director of the Office of Congregational Advancement (1991-96) for the Sisters of Providence. During part of this time, she was an instructor at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1984-87). She also ministered as communications and media coordinator for the Office of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Chicago (1999-2004), communications and public relations director for Guerin College Preparatory School (2004-05), director of advancement for Guerin College Preparatory School (2005-09), and vice president for advancement at Guerin College Preparatory High School in River Grove, Illinois (2009-2011).

For the past five years, Sister Dawn has ministered as a member of the Congregation’s General Council.

She is the daughter of the late Lenard Tomaszewski and Marian Sekula Tomaszewski. She attended St. Monica Elementary School in Chicago and Mother Theodore Guerin High School in River Grove.

Sister Lisa is a native of Evansville. Currently, she ministers as the Congregation’s vicar on the General Council.

Sister Lisa entered the Congregation on Aug. 23, 1975, from Christ the King Parish, located in Evansville. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 25, 1984.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She received a master’s degree in English from Indiana University, a master’s degree in music with concentration in sacred music and liturgy from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and a master’s degree in theological studies from St. Meinrad School of Theology.

Sister Lisa ministered as a teacher at Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville, Indiana (1977-81). She also taught at Providence-St. Mel School in Chicago (1981-88), and served as director of music at St. Bernadette Parish, in Evergreen Park, Illinois (1989-1990). She also ministered as director of music at St. William Parish, Chicago (1990-94), director of liturgy, St. James Parish, Elizabethtown, Kentucky (1994-98), assistant coordinator of liturgy, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (1998), director of worship, Cathedral of the Assumption, Louisville, Kentucky (1998-2009), and coordinator of music, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2009-2011).

Sister Jeanette – known as Sister Jeanne – is a native of Indianapolis. Currently, she ministers as the director for the Academy of Teaching and Learning Leadership, as well as being an associate professor in leadership at Marian University, Indianapolis.

Sister Jeanne entered the Congregation on Aug. 23, 1975, from St. Matthew Parish, in Indianapolis, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 19, 1984.

She graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She received a master’s degree in mathematics and with a concentration in physics from Purdue University, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership Administrative Supervision from the National College of Education, now known as National Louis University located in Chicago. She also earned a doctorate of education degree in Private School Administration from the University of San Francisco.

Sister Jeanne ministered as a teacher at Providence High School in New Lenox, Illinois (1977-79), as well as an instructor in physics and math, and assistant director of financial aid and director of admissions research at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1979-1982). Her other ministries included teacher math, physics and computer at Providence-St. Mel, in Chicago (1982-1986); curriculum director, and a teacher of physics and mathematics and computer science at Providence-St. Mel (1986-1991); principal at Mother Theodore Guerin High School (1991-97); assistant director of the Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco (1997-2000); faculty member at the University of San Francisco (2000); assistant professor and assistant director of the Institute of Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco (2000-01); principal at Mother Theodore Guerin High School (2001-02); assistant director/assistant professor for the Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership, director of teacher education and an assistant professor at the University of San Francisco (2002-05); project coordinator for Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis (2005-06); president of Providence Cristo Rey High School (2006-09); and principal at Providence Cristo Rey High School (2009-2013).

Sister Mary Beth is a native of Jasper, Indiana. Currently, she ministers as a Congregation General Officer.

Sister Mary Beth entered the Congregation on Sept. 12, 1964, from St. Joseph Parish in Jasper. She professed perpetual vows on Sept. 6, 1970.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received a master’s degree in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Sister Mary Beth ministered as a teacher at Saint Margaret Mary School in Terre Haute (1968-1970), and at Tenth Street School in Jasper (1970-72). From 1972-76, she was a member of the Congregation’s renewal team. She returned to Saint Margaret Mary Parish in Terre Haute, where she ministered as a pastoral associate (1976-2004), and as parish life coordinator (2004-05). Prior to being elected a Congregation General Officer, she served as Director of Novices (2006-2011).

Sister Jeneen – known as Sister Jenny – is a native of Indianapolis. She currently ministers as a Congregation General Officer.

Sister Jenny entered the Congregation on Aug. 22, 1983. She was a member of St. Matthew Parish and entered the Congregation from Holy Cross Parish in Indianapolis. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1992.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She received a master’s degree in biology from Ball State University. She also received a master’s degree in guidance counseling in secondary schools from Northeastern Illinois University.

Sister Jenny served one previous term on the Congregation’s General Council from 1996 to 2001. She also ministered as a teacher at North Central High School in Indianapolis (1974-1984), a teacher at Providence-St. Mel School in Chicago (1985-1990), teacher at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis (1991-96), and as the Congregation vocation director (2002-2011).