Meet Emily TeKolste, new Sisters of Providence postulant

The Sisters of Providence are excited to welcome Emily TeKolste of Carmel, Indiana, as the newest postulant to join the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. On Wednesday, September 7, 2016, she officially entered the Congregation during a meaningful tradition in which she knocked on the door of Providence Hall to seek entrance. There she was greeted by the Sisters of Providence leadership and formation community members who prayed with her and welcomed her among them.

Welcome Emily! We wish you many joy-filled years as a Sisters of Providence.

Emily with two other women in formation with the Sisters of Providence, Novice Sister Anna Fan at left and Sister Joni Luna at right.

Emily in quiet prayer before the knocking ceremony. (photos by Diane Weidenbenner)

Director of Postulants Sister Marsha Speth presents Emily with the key to her new home in the formation community at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods as Sister Denise Wilkinson looks on.

After knocking at the door, Emily is welcomed by General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson and other members of the Sisters of Providence leadership team and formation team.

The newest woman to follow in the footsteps of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin as a Sister of Providence: Emily Tekolste during her entrance prayer ritual.

Vicar/ General Officer Sister Lisa Stallings blesses Emily during the prayer service.

The entrance ceremony started with a private prayer time in the chapel in Woodland Inn where Emily was joined by New Membership Director Sister Editha Ben and Emily’s discernment guide Sister Carole Kimes. (photos by Diane Weidenbenner)

Sisters Editha Ben and Carole Kimes accompany Emily over to Providence Hall to knock and officially seek entrance with the Sisters of Providence.

Emily gets a hug of congratulations from Sister Nancy Nolan, a member of the Sisters of Providence new membership team.

The group gathers and prays with and for Emily as she is welcomed to the Congregation.

Emily knocks on the door to Providence Hall seeking entrance to the Sisters of Providence community.

The whole group poses with Emily after the knocking ritual. Front row from left, Sister Anna Fan, Emily TeKolste, Sister Joni Luna. Second row from left, Sisters Nancy Nolan, Marsha Speth, Nancy Bartasavich, Denise Wilkinson, Mary Beth Klingel, Editha Ben. Back row from left, Sister Carole Kimes, Janice Smith, Jenny Howard, Dawn Tomaszewski, Jeanne Hagelskamp and Lisa Stallings.

During a prayer ritual within the ceremony, Emily receives a blessing from Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp.

Emily at left, joins the gathered sisters in prayer.

Emily gets a hug of congratulation from her discernment guide Sister Carole Kimes, whom she has been meeting with regularly over the past year.

Emily receives a blessing on her hands from Novice Sister Anna Fan.

Emily, shown here with General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson, shows off the keys to her new home in the formation community at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.