Sister Profile

Sister Martha Joseph Wessel

Biography

Sister Martha Joseph, better known as Sister Martha, is a native of Ferdinand, Indiana. Her family moved to Jasper when she was 5.

Sister Martha entered the Congregation on September 17, 1962. She professed first and final vows on August 15, 1963 and 1965, respectively.

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

Sister Martha has ministered as a teacher at schools in Indiana, and Kentucky. She was also principal at St. Agnes in Uniontown, Kentucky, from 1988 to 1989, and taught at St. Anne School in New Castle, Indiana, from 1977 to 1982. Sister Martha has also ministered as an administrator at Owens Hall and in residential services at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Currently, Sister Martha ministers in residential services and as the Coordinator of Transportation for the Congregation.

Sister Martha said she is the third oldest of 12 living children.

“I helped milk cows when I was in junior high and take care of 4,000 chickens when I was in high school,” she said.

She added she enjoys watching the Ninja Warriors on television.

“I admire the strength and agility of these athletes,” Sister Martha said.

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Sister Martha Joseph is featured in the following content on the Sisters of Providence website:

Photographs

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Sisters of Providence celebrating 60 years with the Congregation include (front, from left) Sister Therese Whitsett, Sister Martha Joseph Wessel and Sister Marilyn Baker. They are with the General Council, including (back, from left) Sister Carole Kimes, Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, Sister Laura Parker, General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski and Vicar Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp.
From left, Sisters Mary Montgomery, Betty Smigla, Martha Wessel and Therese Whitsett
New Providence Associate Jennifer Christos, right, with her companion Sister Martha Wessel
Sister Rosemary Nudd as Saint Mother Theodore Guerin (from left), Sister Ann Casper as Sister Mary Cecilia Bailly, Carl Bender as Joseph Thralls, Sister Rita Clare Gerardot as Sister Olympiade Boyer, Providence AssociateCharles Fischer as Father Buteux and Sister Martha Wessel as Mother Mary Cleophas Foley.
Sister Adele Beacham and Sister Martha Wessel