Sisters of Providence select new officers

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, gathered at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Thursday, Oct. 21, for their 40th General Chapter meeting.

General Chapter usually takes place in the summer every five years. However, the Congregation was unable to meet for it this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the preliminary work for General Chapter was completed virtually in late June.

The election of officers is the culmination of the Congregation’s General Chapter, and the selection of officers took place on Sunday, October 24.

Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, SP, a native of Chicago, has been re-elected as General Superior of the Sisters of Providence.

In addition, Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, SP, will minister as Vicar.

Elected as General Councilors were Sister Laura Parker, SP, Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, SP, and Sister Carole Kimes, SP.

The officers-elect will be installed during a Eucharistic Liturgy in the near future.

During General Chapter, the Congregation sets its direction for the upcoming five years, while also electing its leadership.

Sister Dawn, who succeeded Sister Denise Wilkinson in 2016, 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 (1980-82).

Her other ministries include the Congregation’s director of communications (1984-1990), 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).

Prior to becoming General Superior, Sister Dawn had 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 Jeanette – known as Sister Jeanne – is a native of Indianapolis. She has ministered as a General Councilor for the past six years. Prior to this ministry, she served 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 Saint 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 in Private School Administration from the University of San Francisco.

Sister Jeanne’s first ministry for the Congregation was as a teacher at Providence High School in New Lenox, Ill. Her other ministries include teaching in physics and math and serving as the assistant director of financial aid and director of admissions research at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College; teaching at Providence-St. Mel in Chicago; serving as a teacher and curriculum director at Providence-St. Mel; ministering as the principal at Mother Theodore Guerin High School; as an assistant professor and assistant director of the Institute of Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco;  director of teacher education at the University of San Francisco; project coordinator for Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis; and president and principal at Providence Cristo Rey High School.

Sister Laura is a native of Chicago. Currently, she ministers as the director of spiritual care for Holy Cross Hospital, in Chicago.

Sister Laura entered the Congregation in 2003 from St. Cyprian Parish in River Grove, Ill. She professed perpetual vows on June 30, 2013.

She graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing from Triton College in River Grove, and also has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. In addition, Sister Laura has a master’s of arts degree in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Her first ministry for the Congregation was as a chaplain resident at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, Ill. Sister Laura also ministered as a hospice chaplain at Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care of Illinois in Willowbrook, Ill.

Sister Anne Therese is a native of Somerville, Mass. Currently, she ministers as a professor, special assistant to the president and trustee for Providence University in Shalu, Taichung, Taiwan.

Sister Anne Therese entered the Congregation in 1979 from St. Polycarp Parish in Somerville, Mass. She professed perpetual vows on July 4, 1991.

She graduated from Emmanuel College with bachelor’s degrees in theology and education. In addition, she has a master’s degree in religious education from Boston College, as well as a master’s degree in language education from Indiana University and a Doctorate in Language Education from Indiana University.

Sister Anne Therese’s first ministry for the Congregation was as a teacher at St. Anthony of Padua School in Gardena, Calif. Her other ministries include campus ministry and recruitment for Mother Theodore Guerin High School in River Grove, Ill.; teacher at Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago; and as an instructor of English, associate professor, director of division of International Exchanges, administrator trustee and special assistant to the president at Providence University.

Sister Carole is a native of Fort Wayne. Currently, she ministers as the Director of Pastoral Care at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Carmel.

Sister Carole entered the Congregation in 1980 from St. Patrick Parish in Fort Wayne. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1987.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University and also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Indianapolis.

Sister Carole’s first ministry for the Congregation was as a teacher at Holy Cross School in Indianapolis. Her other ministries include as a nurse at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis; as a hospice home care nurse for Visiting Nurse Service in Indianapolis; as a teacher at Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter High School; as the Congregation’s Director of Postulancy while in Chicago; as a caregiver at Clarity Home Care in Indianapolis; and as a pastoral associate at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Carmel.