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Eight Sisters of Providence celebrate 25- and 50-year Jubilees

Eight Sisters of Providence attended a 25- and 50-year Jubilee celebration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, on Saturday, June 27. Photographed with the General Council are (front, from left) General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson, Sister Mary Ann Stewart (50 years), Sister Anna Ho (25 years), (second row) Sister Mary Beth Klingel, Sister Kathleen Leonard (50 years), Sister Betty Paul (50 years), (third row) Sister Lisa Stallings, Sister Martha Rojo (50 years), Sister Sophia Chen (25 years), (back row) Sister Claire Hanson (50 years), Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, Sister Jeneen Howard and Sister Mary Tomlinson (25 years).

A total of eight Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, are celebrating 25- and 50-year Jubilees this year.

The eight sisters celebrated at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Saturday, June 27.

25-year Jubilarians

Sister Sophia Chen
Sister Sophia Chen

Sister Sophia Chen is a native of Taiwan. Currently, she ministers at Miracle Home, Taiwan.

Sister Sophia, formerly Sister Shiu-Ying, entered the Congregation on July 12, 1990, from Immaculate Conception of Mary, Taichung, Taiwan. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 14, 1999.

She graduated from Taichung Normal University with a degree in preschool education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Tainan Women’s College of Arts and Technology, Taiwan.

Sister Sophia has ministered in Taiwan.

Sister Anna Ho
Sister Anna Ho

Sister Anna Ho is a native of Vietnam. Currently, she ministers as a teacher, part-time director of religious education and tutor of English as a Second Language at The Goddard School, Columbus, Ohio.

Sister Anna entered the Congregation on Jan. 10, 1990, from Giao Xu Vinh Duc in Ban Me Thuot, Vietnam. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 22, 2002.

She graduated from Providence College, Taichung, Taiwan, with bachelor’s degrees in Youth/Child Welfare and Chinese Literature.

Sister Anna has ministered in Indiana and Ohio.

Tomlinson_Mary
Sister Mary Tomlinson

Sister Mary Tomlinson is a native of Chicago. Currently, she ministers as the development director of Guerin Outreach Ministries, Chicago.

Sister Mary entered the Congregation on Aug. 16, 1990, from Church of Holy Spirit, Schaumburg, Illinois. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1998.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with bachelor’s degrees in social science and history.

Sister Mary has ministered in Chicago.

50-year Jubilarians

Hanson_Claire
Sister Claire Hanson

Sister Claire Hanson is a native of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Currently, she ministers as staff at St. Agnes School, Arlington, Massachusetts, and as a home health care provider at Peace of Mind, Inc., Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

Sister Claire, the former Sister Brigid Eileen, entered the Congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, from St. Rose, Chelsea, Massachusetts. She professed perpetual vows on Sept. 30, 1973.

She graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She earned her master’s degree in elementary early childhood education from Lesley University.

Sister Claire has ministered in Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts and Illinois.

Leonard_Kathleen
Sister Kathleen Leonard

Sister Kathleen Leonard is a native of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Currently, she ministers as a therapist/consultant in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

Sister Kathleen, formerly Sister Dennis Therese, entered the Congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, from St. Rose, Chelsea, Massachusetts. She professed perpetual vows on Nov. 23, 1973.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She received her LIC in clinical psychology from Gregorian University, Rome.

Sister Kathleen has ministered in Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Rojo_Martha2
Sister Martha Rojo

Sister Martha Rojo is a native of Van Nuys, California. Currently, she ministers as Chaplain of St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, California.

Sister Martha, formerly Sister Maria Cruz, entered the Congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, from St. Elisabeth, Van Nuys, California. She professed perpetual vows on Dec. 12, 1976.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She received her master’s degree in religious studies/Hispanic minorities from the University of Incarnate Word, Texas.

Sister Martha has ministered in California and Texas.

Stewart_MaryAnn
Sister Mary Ann Stewart

Sister Mary Ann Stewart is a native of Terre Haute. Currently, she ministers as a teacher at Cathedral High School, Indianapolis.

Sister Mary Ann, formerly Sister Marie Faith, entered the Congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, from Sacred Heart, Terre Haute. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1978.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She earned her master’s degree in social studies from Indiana State University.

Sister Mary Ann has ministered in Indiana,

Paul_Betty
Sister Betty Paul

Sister Betty Paul is a native of Evansville. Currently, she ministers as the northern regional coordinator at the Office of Faith Formation in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sister Betty, formerly Sister Paulette, entered the Congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, from Corpus Christi, Evansville. She professed perpetual vows on April 10, 1976.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She earned her MPM in Pastoral Ministries from Seattle University.

Sister Betty has ministered in Indiana, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina.

About the Sisters of Providence

The Sisters of Providence, a congregation of 214 women religious, with 300 Providence Associates, collaborate with others to create a more just and hope-filled world through prayer, education, service and advocacy. The Sisters of Providence have their motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, located just northwest of downtown Terre Haute, Ind., which is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin founded the Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840. Today, Sisters of Providence minister in 13 states, the District of Columbia and Asia, through works of love, mercy and justice. More information about the Sisters of Providence and their ministries can be found at SistersofProvidence.org.

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Jason Moon

Jason Moon

Jason Moon serves as media relations manager for the Sisters of Providence. Previously, he spent more than 16 years in the newspaper industry.
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Media contact

For inquiries or information, contact Jason Moon at jmoon@spsmw.org or 812-535-2810.

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