Sisters of Providence celebrate Jubilees

Five Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, celebrated their 25- and 50-year Jubilees on Saturday, June 30.

25-year Jubilarians

Sister Patricia Linehan is a native of Cincinnati. Currently, she ministers as a freelance artist in Terre Haute.

Sister Patricia entered the Congregation on Aug. 16, 1993, from St. Barnabas, Indianapolis. She professed final vows on Aug. 12, 2000.

She earned her RN from St. Francis School of Nursing, Seattle and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington, Seattle. She also earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Washington and a master’s of fine arts from Indiana State University.

Her ministries include:

• Indianapolis: Administrative Assistant, Family Life Office (1993-94),
• Terre Haute: Coordinator of Clinical Services, St. Ann’s Care Center (Now Wabash Valley Health Center, 1996-98), and
• Terre Haute: Administrator, Clinical Coordinator, St. Ann’s Clinic (1998-2002).

Sister Kathleen Bernadette Smith is a native of Chicago. Currently, she ministers as a pastoral associate at St. Felicitas Catholic Church, Chicago.

Sister Kathleen Bernadette entered the Congregation on Aug. 16, 1993, from St. Columbanus, Chicago. She professed final vows on Aug. 12, 2000.

She graduated from Chicago State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. In addition, she earned a master’s degree in music education from Roosevelt University, as well as a master’s degree in school of social services administration from the University of Chicago. She also earned a master of divinity in theology from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

Her ministries include:

• Chicago: Director of Religious Education, St. James Parish (1993-94),
• Chicago: Director of Religious Education, St. Felicitas and St. Joachim (1995-2003),
• Chicago: Pastoral Associate/Director of Religious Education, St. Felicitas Parish (2003-2014).

50-year Jubilarians

Sister Marianne Ridgell is a native of Washington, D.C. Currently, she ministers as a caregiver in Bradenton, Florida.

Sister Marianne entered the Congregation on Aug. 30, 1968, from St. Thomas More, Arlington, Virginia. She professed final vows on Dec. 7, 1974.

She graduated from Emmanuel College with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. She earned a master’s degree in Spanish from Indiana State University, as well as another master’s degree from Indiana State University in counseling.

Her ministries include:

• College Park, Maryland: Teacher, Holy Redeemer (1974-76),
• Washington, D.C.: Teacher, Immaculata Preparatory (1976-82),
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana: Nurse’s Aide (1982-84),
• Terre Haute: Teacher, Indiana State University (1984-85),
• Holland, Michigan: Pastoral Associate Hispanics, St. Francis de Sales (1985-88),
• River Grove, Illinois: Teacher/AV Coordinator, Mother Theodore Guerin High School (1988-89),
• Lowell, Indiana: Pastoral Associate, St. Edward Parish (1989-94),
• East Chicago, Indiana: Director of Hispanic Ministry, Office of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Gary (1994-95),
• Clearwater, Florida: Teacher, Clearwater Central Catholic High School (1995-98),
• Oneco, Florida: Counselor, Bradenton Drug Treatment Community (1998),
• Clearwater, Florida: Teacher, Clearwater Central Catholic High School (1998-99),
• Sarasota, Florida: Teacher, Cardinal Mooney High School (1999-2001),
• Bradenton, Florida: Director of Religious Education, St. Joseph Parish (2001-02),
• Bradenton, Florida: Spanish Teacher, St. Joseph Catholic School (2002-04),
• Arcadia, Florida: Caseworker for Hispanic Services, Catholic Charities (2004-07),
• Williamsburg, Virginia: Teacher, Walsingham Academy (2007-08),
• Bradenton, Florida: Community Education and Outreach Coordinator, Home Instead Senior Care (2009-2013),
• Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida: Outreach Coordinator to the Homebound/Palliative Care Social Worker, St. Joseph Catholic Church (2013-14), and
• Bradenton, Florida: Caregiver Training/Outreach Coordinator to the Homebound, Home Instead Senior Care (2014-16).

Sister Jan Craven is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. Currently, she ministers as the Co-Director of Providence Spirituality & Conference Center and Director of Shrines at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Sister Jan entered the Ursuline Community, based in Youngstown, Ohio, on Sept. 15, 1968. She transferred her vows to the Sisters of Providence on July 4, 1981.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in theology from Fordham University. She also earned a master’s degree in religion from Claremont University.

Her ministries include:

• River Grove, Illinois: Theology, Mother Theodore Guerin High School (1978-80),
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana: Director of Religious Education (1980-81),
• Anaheim, California: Pastoral Associate/Adult Education, San Antonio Parish (1981-88),
• Anaheim, California: Provincial Councilor/Pastoral Associate/Adult Education, St. Michael Province (1988-90),
• Corona, California: Pastoral Associate/Provincial Councilor, St. Mary Magdalene Parish (1990-91),
• Orange, California: Advocate/MAPT Instructor Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Office of Canonical Services), Diocese of Orange (2000-02),
• Palos Heights, Illinois: Director of Postulancy, Formation House (2004-08),
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana: Director of Postulancy (2008-10),
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana: Coordinator, Office for the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin (2011-13), and
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana: Director of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Shrine of National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence (2013-14).

Sister Mary Joanna (Jody) O’Neil is a native of Indianapolis. Currently, she ministers as the artist in residence for the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Sister Jody entered the Congregation on Jan. 3, 1969, from Holy Spirit, Indianapolis. She professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1980.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in art education. She also earned a master’s degree in religious studies from Mundelein College.

Her ministries include:

• Terre Haute, Indiana: Teacher, St. Ann (1973-78),
• Freeport, Illinois: Campus Minister, Sauk Valley College/Highland Community College (1979-81),
• Freeport, Illinois: Campus Minister, Highland Community College (1981-83),
• Freeport, Illinois: Associate Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry, Highland Community College (1983-86),
• Rockford, Illinois: Associate Diocesan Director of Campus Ministries, Rockford College and Rock Valley College (1986-88),
• Rockford, Illinois: Co-Director of Campus Ministries, Diocese of Rockford, Rockford College and Rock Valley College (1988-1989),
• Evansville, Indiana: Director of Newman Center and Campus Minister, University of Evansville (1989-94), and
• Dayton, Ohio: Assistant Director, Residence Life Ministry, University of Dayton (1994-2004).