Sisters of Providence elect new leadership for 2026-31

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, gathered at the Woods from June 28-July 7 for their 41st General Chapter meeting. The Chapter meeting culminated in the election of the Congregation’s Leadership Team for the next five years.

Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp was named General Superior. Sister Lisa Stallings was selected as vicar and elected as general officers were Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, Sister Tracey Horan and Sister Norene Wu.

Sister Jeanne is a native of Indianapolis. Prior to being elected General Superior, she most recently ministered as the Congregation’s Vicar/General Treasurer and as General Councilor in the previous term.

Sister Jeanne entered the Congregation on Aug. 23, 1975. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 19, 1984.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She also has a master’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in physics from Purdue University, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership Administration Supervision from the National College of Education, now known as National Louis University in Chicago.

Sister Jeanne also has a Doctorate of Education degree in Private School Administration/Leadership from the University of San Francisco.

Sister Jeanne has ministered as a teacher at Providence High School in New Lenox, Illinois (1977-79) and as an instructor in physics and math, in addition to assistant director of financial aid and director of admissions research at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1979-82).

Her other ministries include: teacher of math, physics and computer at Providence-St. Mel in Chicago (1982-86); 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); president of Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis (2006-09); principal at Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis (2009-13); director for the Academy of Teaching and Learning Leadership/associate professor in leadership at Marian University in Indianapolis (2013-16); General Councilor for the Sisters of Providence (2016-21); Vicar/General Treasurer for the Sisters of Providence (2021-26).

Sister Lisa is a native of Evansville. Prior to being named vicar, she served as the Congregation’s Coordinator of Liturgy.

Sister Lisa entered the Congregation on Aug. 23, 1975. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 25, 1984.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English and has a master’s degree in English from Indiana University. In addition, she has a master’s degree in Church music from Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer and a master’s of science in theology from Saint Meinrad School of Theology.

Sister Lisa ministered as a teacher at Our Lady of Providence in Clarksville from 1977-80 and again in 1982 before teaching at Providence-St. Mel in Chicago from 1981-88.

Her other ministries include: Director of Music at St. Bernadette Parish in Evergreen Park, Ill. (1989-90); Director of Music at St. William Parish in Chicago (1990-94); Director of Liturgy at St. James Parish in Elizabethtown, Ky. (1994-98); Assistant Coordinator of Liturgy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (1998); Director of Worship at Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville, Ky. (1998-2009); Coordinator of Liturgical Music for the Sisters of Providence (2009-11); Vicar/General Treasurer for the Sisters of Providence (2011-22); and Coordinator of Liturgy/Volunteer for Connecting Link (2022-23).

Dr. Anne Therese Falkenstein, SP, is a native of Sommerville, Mass., and has been a Sister of Providence for 47 years. The latter part of her ministry, more than two and a half decades, has been in Catholic higher education in Taiwan, where she served as a professor, administrator, researcher, special assistant to the president and board member at Providence University, and has also founded the Office of International Affairs. Her leadership advanced international collaboration and academic excellence in Catholic higher education. She implemented several international academic exchange programs for students.

While in Asia, she served on two other executive boards: The Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) and the Association of Christian Colleges and Universities in Asia (ACUCA). Sister Anne Therese was also an active member of the International Federation of Catholic Colleges and Universities (IFCU) and the United Board for Christian Education in Asia. She traveled extensively around the world and has worked to bridge cultures. Her extensive travel and leadership in these areas have had a profound impact on her, deepening her reverence for diversity.

Before going to Taiwan, she served as a department chairperson and teacher at Notre Dame High School in Illinois; as a recruitment director and campus minister at Mother Theodore Guerin High School in Illinois; and as a teacher at Saint Anthony of Padua School in California. She returned to the United States after being elected to the Sisters of Providence leadership team for 2021-26.

She has a Ph.D. in Language Education from Indiana University; a M.S. in Language Education from Indiana University; an M.Ed. in Religious Education from Boston College; and a double-major BA in Education and Theology from Emmanuel College in Massachusetts. Her academic background and teaching positions underscore her dedication and belief in the power of education.

She participated in the Maryknoll Cross-Cultural Training program in River Forest, Illinois, and studied Mandarin Chinese at Indiana University; Teng Hai University, Taiwan; Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan; and Middlebury College in Vermont. She also studied Spanish at DePaul University in Illinois.

In her current role as a General Councilor, she serves on the boards of Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis, Providence Associates at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and Providence Food Pantry in West Terre Haute.

Sister Anne Therese loves being a Sister of Providence, strives to live out the gospel message of love, mercy and justice, and admits she is more successful on some days than on others. She cherishes her close family ties, cool October days and friendships that stand the test of time. As she looks ahead to her second term as General Councilor, Sister Anne Therese is excited to plant seeds of hope for a more just world and invites others to join the Providence Community in this mission. She looks forward to working with the new team as they seek ways to live out the Chapter 2026 vision statement.

Sister Tracey Horan is a native of Indianapolis. Prior to being elected to Council, she ministered as the Associate Director of Education and Advocacy for the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Ariz.

Sister Tracey entered the Congregation on Sept. 8, 2014. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 20, 2022.

She has a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education and Spanish from the University of Dayton.

Sister Tracey’s ministries include: Bilingual Community Organizer for the IndyCAN (2016-2019); and Education Coordinator for the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Ariz., and Sonora, Mexico.

Sister Norene is a native of Taiwan. Prior to being elected to Council, she ministered as the Congregation’s Director of Novices in the United States.

Sister Norene entered the Congregation on Sept. 1, 1982. She professed perpetual vows on July 12, 1990.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Western Language & Literature from Providence College in Taiwan as well as a master’s of science in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in Maryland. In addition, she has a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University.

Sister Norene began ministry as a counselor at Fu Jen University in Taiwan from 1974-85 before serving as the Assistant Director of the Catholic Student Association at Providence College in Taiwan from 1985-89.

Her other ministries include: Director of Hostel, Spirituality Center, Taipai, Taiwan (1989-90); Director of Formation, Mother Marie Gratia Spirituality Center, Taiwan (1993-96); Director of Providence Holistic Family Services, Taiwan (1995-99), in addition to being a counselor at Fu Jen Catholic University Counseling Center, Hsin-Chuang, Taiwan (1993-99); Campus Minister, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1999-2002); Assistant Providence, Department of Social Work and Child Welfare, Providence University, Taichung City, Taiwan (2008-19); and Dean of Student Affairs, Providence University, Taiwan (2012-19).

The Congregation concluded its 41st General Chapter on Tuesday, July 7 with a Mass and Blessing of the Leadership Team. The officers-elect will be officially installed during a Eucharistic Liturgy on Saturday, September 5, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.