15 Providence sisters celebrate 80, 75 or 70 years of service

Fifteen Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are celebrating their 80th, 75th or 70th anniversary of their entrance into the congregation.

Sister Gertrude Marian Bauer is celebrating her 80th jubilee.

Sisters Frances Joan Baker, Marie Consolata Gallagher, Jean Karier, Mary Ellen Kilday and Ann Miriam Zell are celebrating their 75th jubilee.

Sisters Jane Bodine, Ann Kathleen Brawley, Charlotte Bruck, Dorothy Deal, Brendan Harvey, Beatrice Hoberg, Helene Marie Kelly, Catherine Livers and Alma Louise Mescher are celebrating their 70th jubilee.

A native of Indianapolis, Sister Gertrude Marian Bauer currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Sept. 7, 1927, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1935.

Sister Gertrude Marian graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in guidance at Xavier University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Gertrude Marian taught at St. Rita School in Indianapolis from 1937-39, served as a teacher and principal at Holy Cross School in Indianapolis from 1951-55, and ministered as a school clerk at St. Michael School in Greenfield from 1986-87.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as a community representative from 1982-86 and on the health care services staff from 1987-94.

Sister Gertrude Marian also taught or served as a principal in Evansville, Ind.; Lafayette, Ind.; Whiting, Ind.; Illinois and Massachusetts.

A native of Washington, Ind., Sister Frances Joan Baker currently ministers on the residential services staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Jan. 27, 1932, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1939.

Sister Frances Joan graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in education at Indiana State University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Frances Joan taught at St. Mary School in Richmond from 1939-41, St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis from 1953-58, the former St. James School in Indianapolis from 1965-67, St. Simon School in Indianapolis from 1977-81 and Holy Spirit School in Indianapolis from 1981-86.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the health care services staff from 1986-87 and as a pre-school assistant at the Woods Day Care/Pre-School from 1987-96.

Sister Frances Joan also taught in Vincennes, Ind.; Washington, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Massachusetts, Illinois and North Carolina.

A native of Errarooey, County Donegal, in Ireland, Sister Marie Consolata Gallagher currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on June 13, 1932, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1941.

Sister Marie Consolata graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in education counseling at The Catholic University of America.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the community services staff from 2002-03 and residential services staff from 2003-04.

Sister Marie Consolata also taught in Lafayette, Ind.; Vincennes, Ind.; Illinois, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

A native of Evanston, Ill., Sister Jean Karier currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 11, 1932, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1940.

Sister Jean graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in special education at St. Louis University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Jean taught at St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis from 1934-37, St. Anthony School in Indianapolis from 1944-45 and Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis from 1953-57. She also served as a special education instructor from 1959-66.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as a special education instructor from 1977-80, generalate staff member from 1977-92, Blessed Sacrament Association staff member from 1980-92, Blessed Sacrament Association coordinator from 1992-96, Providence Center staff member from 1992-2000 and Providence Printery staff member from 2002-06.

Sister Jean also taught in Evansville, Ind.; Loogootee, Ind.; and Illinois.

A native of Sterling, Ill., Sister Mary Ellen Kilday currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 14, 1932, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1940.

Sister Mary Ellen graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in biology then earned a master’s degree in zoology at the University of Notre Dame and master’s degree in education supervision administration at Indiana State University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Mary Ellen taught at the former St. Catherine School in Indianapolis from 1934-36, the former St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis from 1953-57 and St. Patrick School in Terre Haute from 1949-51. She served as dean of girls at the former Schulte High School in Terre Haute from 1964-68.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the transportation department staff from 1997-99.

Sister Mary Ellen also taught in Evansville, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Loogootee, Ind.; Vincennes, Ind.; Illinois, Massachusetts, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Washington, D.C.

A native of Los Angeles, Sister Ann Miriam Zell currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Aug. 20, 1932, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1941.

Sister Ann Miriam graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education.

She ministered at Catholic schools in Illinois and California.

A native of St. Mary-of-the-Woods Village, Sister Jane Bodine, formerly Sister Janet, currently ministers on the residential services staff and as coordinator of Ladywood School alumnae at Saint Mary-of-the Woods.

She entered the congregation on Jan. 9, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1945.

Sister Jane graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in physics then earned a master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Notre Dame.

In the archdiocese, Sister Jane taught at the former St. Ann School in Terre Haute in 1945, Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville from 1953-54 and 1957-62, and the former Ladywood School in Indianapolis from 1955-57.

She served as principal at St. Patrick School in Terre Haute from 1972-73, director of the United Southside Community Organization’s adult education program in Indianapolis from 1972-78, first provincial councilor and director of apostolic works for St. Gabriel Province from 1978-81, director of development for the province from 1988-94, consultant on the board of Global Education Associates in New York from 1994-96, executive director of the Development Education Program from 1997-98 and development director of the Hispanic Education Center in Indianapolis from 1998-99.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Jane served as director of development from 1981-87 and an archives volunteer from 2005-06.

Sister Jane also taught in Jasper, Ind.; Evansville, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Illinois and Missouri.

A native of Chicago, Sister Ann Kathleen Brawley currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1946.

Sister Ann Kathleen graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in European history at Indiana State University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Ann Kathleen served as a teacher and principal at the former St. Mary-of-the-Woods Village School from 1951-54.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the secretary’s office staff from 1954-66, as secretary general and council member from 1966-76, archivist from 1976-91 and archives consultant from 1991-96.

Sister Ann Kathleen also taught in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Texas and Illinois.

A native of Peru, Ind., Sister Charlotte Bruck, formerly Sister Charlotte Marie, currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1946.

Sister Charlotte graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in English then earned a master’s degree in guidance at Marquette University.

She created and wrote a series of programs and books on child guidance that were used nationally.

In the archdiocese, Sister Charlotte taught at St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis from 1956-58.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she ministered in art services from 1986-2002.

She also served on the office staff for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

Sister Charlotte also taught in Vincennes, Ind.; Whiting, Ind.; Washington, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Illinois and Florida.

A native of Brazil, Ind., Sister Dorothy Deal currently ministers on the residential services staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Jan. 9, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1945.

Sister Dorothy graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in education at Cardinal Stritch University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Dorothy taught at St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis from 1944-45, St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis from 1949-59, St. Matthew School in Indianapolis as a reading instructor from 1973-74 and teacher from 1974-75, and as a reading specialist and adult education instructor at United Southside Community Organization in Indianapolis from 1977-79.

She also taught at the former Annunciation School in Brazil from 1959-60, served as parish secretary at Annunciation Parish in Brazil from 1986-90 and taught at St. Malachy School in Brownsburg from 1975-77.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Dorothy served as coordinator of facilities at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College from 1979-86, on the Gift Shop at Providence Center staff from 1990-92 and in community service from 1992-96.

Sister Dorothy also taught in Peru, Ind.; Whiting, Ind.; Massachusettes, Illinois and Washington, D.C.

A native of Ardrosson, Ayrshire in Scotland, Sister Brendan Harvey currently ministers as a tutor for Providence Self-Sufficiency Ministries at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Jan. 9, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1945.

Sister Brendan graduated form Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in special education at Cardinal Stritch University.

With Sister Beatrice Hoberg, she

co-authored the music series “To God through Music” that was used nationally.

In the archdiocese, Sister Brendan taught at Holy Cross School in Indianapolis from 1947-55, Nativity School in Indianapolis from 1955-58 and St. Mary Child Center in Indianapolis from 1966-69. She served as an office assistant for the center’s development education program from 1991-92.

In Terre Haute, Sister Brendan taught at St. Patrick School from 1962-66, Cara School for the Retarded from 1969-72 and the Children’s Learning Center from 1972-75. She also served at the Simeon Project of Catholic Charities from 1977-81, as director of St. Patrick Congregate Living from 1981-86, director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program from 1986-87, and an office assistant for Catholic Charities from 1996-97.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as director of activities for senior sisters and co-published a reading workbook from 1975-76, councilor for Sacred Heart Province from 1976-77, and as an editor for children’s books and

co-author of Story of Anne-Therese from 1997-2000. She served as director of the Providence Pantry in West Terre Haute from 2000-06.

Sister Brendan also taught in Evansville, Ind.; Illinois, Missouri, Washington, D.C., and Taiwan.

A native of Chicago, Sister Beatrice Hoberg currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Feb. 11, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1945.

Sister Beatrice graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in music then earned a master’s degree in music at the University of Cincinnati.

With Sister Brendan Harvey, she

co-authored the music series “To God through Music” that was used nationally.

In the archdiocese, Sister Beatrice taught at Holy Cross School in Indianapolis from 1939-42, 1945-51 and 1952-55, and Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis from 1951-52.

At the Simeon House in Terre Haute, Sister Beatrice served as assistant director of activities from 1980-81, director of activities from 1981-82 and program director from 1982-84.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the Providence Center staff and co-authored Story of Anne-Therese from 1997-99, and residential services staff from 1999-2006.

Sister Beatrice also taught in Whiting, Ind.; Illinois and California.

A native of Chelsea, Md., Sister Helene Marie Kelly currently ministers on the residential services staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on July 22, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1946.

Sister Helene Marie graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in music education then earned a master’s degree in special music at Vermont University.

She ministered in Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, Texas and Washington, D.C.

A native of Loogootee, Ind., Sister Catherine Livers, formerly Sister Agatha, currently ministers on the spiritual direction staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on June 29, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1946.

Sister Catherine graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education then earned a master’s degree in education at Indiana State University and master’s degree in ministries at Seattle University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Catherine taught and served as principal at St. Patrick School in Terre Haute from 1966-69. She was on special assignment and served as a pastoral associate from 1969-73 then was personal consultant for St. Gabriel Province and served in chaplaincy at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis from 1974-80.

Sister Catherine was director of the Shalom Community from 1984-87 and served on the staff at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis from 1988-89. She volunteered at St. Ann Clinic in Terre Haute in 2002.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served on the ministry of care staff from 2002-06.

Sister Catherine also taught in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Jasper, Ind.; Vincennes, Ind.; Illinois, North Carolina, New York, Kentucky and Washington, D.C.

A native of Burlington, Iowa, Sister Alma Louise Mescher currently ministers on the residential services staff and as a volunteer in health care services at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She entered the congregation on Aug. 9, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1946.

Sister Alma Louise graduated from Los Angeles City College with an associate degree and Immaculate Heart College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, master’s degree in biology at Marquette University and doctorate in biology at the University of Notre Dame.

In the archdiocese, Sister Alma Louise taught at the former St. Patrick High School in Terre Haute in 1946 and the former Schulte High School in Terre Haute from 1954-55.

At Saint Mary-of-the Woods College, she served as a biology instructor from 1962-81, professor of mathematics and science from 1991-92, professor of gerontology from 1992-93 and professor of biology from 1993-2003.

Sister Alma Louise also ministered in California and Illinois.†