Sisters of Providence officially install new leadership

On Sunday, Jan. 23, the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, conducted the installation of their new leadership team, which will lead the Congregation through 2026.

The installation was the culmination of the election of officers, which took place in October 2021 as the Sisters of Providence gathered for their 40th General Chapter meeting. Sunday’s celebration took place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

During the meetings, Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, SP, was re-elected as General Superior of the Congregation, while Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, SP, was elected as Vicar.

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

Sunday’s installation was led by Father Terry Johnson. After a blessing for the leadership team, Sister Dawn said, “I will carry out this service in dialogue and in collaboration with the members of this Congregation. I promise to love all Sisters of Providence as true sisters, to strive with them to deepen our spirituality and to encourage them to live more deeply in the mystery of Providence according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of Providence.”

Father Terry then asked the remaining four General Councilors to offer a response, to which they said in unison, “I promise to serve with the general superior in the leadership of this Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in counsel and mutual support. (We) shall strive to be united with her and the other councilors by bonds of charity and confidence, having but one heart and one spirit as we participate in the same authority.”

Those in attendance also offered a blessing to the three outgoing General Councilors, Sister Lisa Stallings, SP, Sister Mary Beth Klingel, SP, and Sister Jenny Howard, SP.

During the General Chapter in 2021, the Congregation offered a proclamation of its direction for the next five years, saying the Sisters of Providence will respond to the call of Providence in these directions: Mission of religious life, diversity, collaboration and resources/sustainability.

The newly installed leadership team headed to a week-long retreat of strategic planning with a facilitator following the ceremony. They plan to conduct a broader celebration of the installation later this year.