Sister Joseph Ellen Keitzer

Sister Joseph Ellen was born Rosemary Ellen Keitzer in Hammond, Indiana, where she attended All Saints Grade School and was taught by the Sisters of Providence. She graduated from Hammond High School and entered the Congregation on May 26, 1951, professing first and final vows on January 23, 1954 and 1959, respectively.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Sister Joseph Ellen also has a master’s degree in music education from Ball State University. In addition, she has certification as a Director of Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Chicago and is certified as a Pastoral Associate in the Archdiocese of Chicago. In 1995, she received the Imani Master Catechist Certification at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of New Orleans.

Of her ministries, Sister Joseph Ellen has taught in Texas, New Hampshire, Illinois, Indiana and California, including time at St. Margaret Mary in Terre Haute. She taught music – mostly teaching piano.

In 1992, she began pastoral ministry in the Chicago area and has continued in this ministry to the present day.

Sister Joseph Ellen’s parents were both pharmacists and owned a drug store in Hammond. She added some of the parishioners she meets with refer to her as “Sister Joe.”