Five Providence sisters celebrate their 50-year jubilees

Criterion staff report

Five Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are celebrating their 50th jubilees at their community’s motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods this year.

They include Sisters Claire Hanson, Kathleen Leonard, Martha Rojo, Mary Ann Stewart and Betty Paul.
 

Sister Claire (formerly Brigid Eileen) Hanson, a native of Chelsea, Mass., entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, and professed perpetual vows on Sept. 30, 1973.

She graduated from Indiana State University in Terre Haute with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and earned her master’s degree in elementary early childhood education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass.

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

Currently, she ministers as a school staff member and as a home health care provider in Massachusetts.
 

Sister Kathleen (formerly Dennis Therese) Leonard, a native of Chelsea, Mass., entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, and professed perpetual vows on Nov. 23, 1973.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Kathleen ministered as a teacher at the former St. Andrew School in Indianapolis and as director of postulants at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis.

At the motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as director of canonical and mission novices.

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

Currently, she ministers as a therapist/consultant in Massachusetts.
 

Sister Martha (formerly Maria Cruz) Rojo, a native of Van Nuys, Calif., entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, and professed perpetual vows on Dec. 12, 1976.

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

Sister Martha has ministered in Texas.

Currently, she ministers as a chaplain of St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, Calif.
 

Sister Mary Ann (formerly Marie Faith) Stewart, a native of Terre Haute, entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1978.

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

In the archdiocese, Sister Mary Ann ministered as a teacher at St. Philip Neri and Central Catholic schools, both in Indianapolis, and currently teaches at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.
 

Sister Betty (formerly Paulette) Paul, a native of Evansville, Ind., entered the congregation on Sept. 12, 1965, and professed perpetual vows on April 10, 1976.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and earned her master’s in pastoral ministries from Seattle University.

In the archdiocese, Sister Betty ministered as a teacher at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, and at the former Schulte High School in Terre Haute.

She has also ministered in Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Currently, she ministers as the northern regional coordinator for the Office of Faith Formation in the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C. †