JubileeThis year, we are honoring two Sisters who are celebrating their 25th Jubilee, six Sisters who are celebrating their 50th Jubilee, and three who are celebrating 75 years of religious life! In addition, we are also honoring eleven Sisters who are celebrating 60 years, ten who are celebrating 65 years, and one who is celebrating 70 years of religious life, for a combined total of 1,955 years of ministry to the people of God. To Donate Now in honor of a Sister listed below, please click here.
75 Years
 Sister Irma Mae Boonie
Sister Irma Mae Boonie (formerly Sister Teresine) entered religious life from St. Mary’s parish in Yatesboro, Pa. Over the years Sister lived out her religious vocation as teacher, nurse, housekeeper, administrator, social worker and pastoral minister. One of her longest ministries was teaching at the Providence Heights Alpha School for 16 years (1973-80 and 1981-82). She also worked at Mercy-Providence Hospital (1988-98). Since her retirement from active ministry in 1999, she has been engaged in the ministry of prayer. Sister enjoys writing letters to friends and family, cooking, and dancing and singing. She is very proud that she has taught several boys over the years who became priests and who still remain in touch with her.
 Sister Genevieve Brandstetter
Sister Genevieve Brandstetter (formerly Sister Generosa) entered religious life from St. Mary (now known as Christ, Prince of Peace), Ford City, Pa. She can hardly remember a time when she didn’t want to become a Sister. “This does not mean that I never had a doubt—fleeting or otherwise –about what I should really do with my life,” she said. “That I was tested during formation is true, but in the long run ‘all is grace.’”
She has served in internal ministry for most of her religious life. For a number of years, she was novice director for the Community, mentoring young women who were discerning their call to religious life. From 1980-93 she was co-director at St. Ambrose Manor, a senior citizen residence on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Sister has been the director of liturgical music for the Community since 1993 and also gives private piano lessons.
Sister Genevieve sees God’s Providence as God calling her to cooperate and even to collaborate in the awesome mission of making that Providence more visible in our world. Sister sums it up by saying, “My life can be reduced to a simple phrase: ‘All is Grace.’”
 Sister Mary Salvatore Leo
Sister Mary Salvatore Leo entered religious life from St. Mary’s in Glenshaw, Pa. She recalls seeing her first Sister in full habit at age 5 and the first words out of her mouth were, “Why wasn’t I born like one of them?” Like many Sisters, she began her ministry as a teacher. At St. Joseph’s Military School in East Liberty, she taught 1st and 2nd grades (1951-55). On weekends and summers, she pursued her nursing degree at Duquesne University. Once graduated, she began working at then Braddock General Hospital. Sister “Sal” as she is known, held down a number of jobs during her 50 years at the hospital (1955-2005). She became the head of the IV team and was very accomplished at the task. Caring for children and babies in the pediatric department was one of her most rewarding assignments. “I think those were the happiest years of my life.” She said. “Children and babies are so precious and innocent.” Since her retirement from active ministry, Sister has been a seamstress for the Sisters at Providence Heights.
Describing herself as happy, peaceful and thankful, she enjoys solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles, watching game shows and reading. She is grateful to God for giving her a vocation to religious life and sustaining her in that life.
70 Years
 Sister Rosemary Micka
65 Years
 Sister Antoinette Basis
 Sister Assumpta Capaccio
 Sister Patrice Hessman
 Sister Mary Thomas Jirauch
 Sister Grace Jones
 Sister Natalie Marchetti
 Sister Marietta Ruhe
 Sister Margaret Mary Wagner
 Sister Anne Winschel
 Sister Bernadette Young
60 Years
 Sister Jean Anthony Alexandrunas
 Sister Mercedes Berbach
 Sister Ann Catherine Fuchs
 Sister Marie Dolores Griffith
 Sister Constance Kuttenkuler
 Sister Marlene Luffy
 Sister Patricia Ann Moffett
 Sister Helen Plivelic
.jpg) Sister Alicia Schweitzer
 Sister Rose Michele Sieber
 Sister Lucille Suttelle
50 Years
 Sister Kathleen Angel
Sister Kathleen Angel (formerly Sister Doreen) entered religious life from St. Basil’s Parish in Carrick, Pa. She was greatly influenced in her vocation by her 9th grade CCD teacher, Sister of Divine Providence Mary Glenn. She earned a B.S. degree in biology from La Roche College, an M.S. in biology from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Pittsburgh. She taught at St. Martin’s (West End); St. Mary’s High School (Sharpsburg); La Roche College (1971-1989). While at La Roche, Sister Kathleen collaborated in the development of programs geared to non-traditional age learners: the nurse anesthesia program at the certificate and bachelor’s levels; a degree completion program for RNs; radiography; Servicemen’s Opportunity College (SOC). In 1989 she began teaching at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Sister Kathleen was recognized with the 2010 Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Post-Secondary Education by the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this year Sister Kathleen responded enthusiastically to her religious community’s request that she become novice director. She recently moved to the St. Louis area with two young Sisters who are discerning their call to religious life.
 Sister Mary Jane Beatty
Sister Mary Jane Beatty (formerly Sister Therese Martin) entered religious life from St. Alphonsus parish in Wheeling, WV, where her principal, Sister of Divine Providence Cherubim Lauer, encouraged her to consider religious life. It was her seventh grade teacher, Sister Francine Barsh, whose example of joy and kindness helped her realize that this is what she wanted to do with her life.
She taught second grade at St. Margaret’s of Scotland (Green Tree) (1966-70; 1973-75) and was principal at St. Rose of Lima Elementary School in Altoona (1975-82). Today, Sister Mary Jane is a marriage and family therapist with Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry in the North Hills. (1989-present).
What is most important to her is how, as a Sister of Divine Providence, she lives out their charism. “Each time we pray, we begin by saying, ‘We exalt your Providence, O God, and we commit ourselves to making Your Providence more visible in our world,’” she said. “How blessed I feel each time I sense God’s Providence at work through me and through those who touch my life.” Self-described as loyal, dedicated, fun-loving, Sister Mary Jane has been painting water colors for over 25 years, is an avid family history buff, and enjoys working on computers.
 Sister Kathleen Hoerster
Sister Kathleen Hoerster (formerly Sister David Ann) entered religious life from St Martin’s in the West End. From a very early age, she wanted to minister within the church. She always loved going to and being part of the church, and wanted to dedicate her life in ministry to it by being a religious sister.
Sister Kathleen has been the pastoral associate at St. Joan of Arc parish in South Park since 2008. Previous to that, she was in pastoral ministry at St. Margaret of Scotland in Green Tree (1984-2000) and Sacred Heart in New Philadelphia, Ohio (1973-1984). She especially enjoyed her ministry at Sacred Heart Parish where she gave numerous workshops on children’s liturgy in many dioceses along the east coast, teaching how to creatively involve children in worship through liturgical dance, spontaneous prayer and music.
Describing herself as creative, outgoing, one who loves being and working with people, Sister Kathleen finds community living a very rewarding experience. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and cookouts.
 Sister Hilary Hooks
Sister Hilary Hooks is celebrating her 50th Jubilee this year. She was born in Detroit, Mich., and entered the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1961. She professed her final vows in 1969.
Sister Hilary’s teaching ministry included the following schools: Divine Providence School (Westchester, Ill., 1964, 1969-71 and 1977), St. John School (Imperial, Mo., 1965 and 1978-79), North American Martyrs School (Florissant, Mo., 1966-68), St. Elizabeth School (Granite City, Ill., 1972-76), St. Mary’s School (Brussels, Mo., 1980-81) and the Parkway School District (St. Louis, Mo., 1997-98). She was the music minister at St. Ambrose Parish (Godfrey, Ill., 1984-89) and a liturgist for the Franciscan Sisters of Mary (St. Louis, Mo., 1997-98).
Sister Hilary began the community’s ministry for immigrants and asylum seekers, La Posada Providencia, when it started in Harlingen, Tx., in 1989 before moving to its present location in San Benito, Tx. She served refugees there from 1990-95 as the shelter’s director. She was a liturgist for the Franciscan Sisters of Mary (St. Louis, Mo., 1999-2006). She is currently in transition at the Sisters of Divine Providence in Allison Park, Pa., preparing to teach English as a second language to immigrants in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Her interests include researching the conversion of St. Peter and biblical history, reading mystery and historic novels and helping needy immigrants become independent.
“I love being a part of a community dedicated to the service and love of those who are needy and poor,” says Sister Hilary. “Bishop W. Emmanuel von Ketteler, who founded the Sisters of Divine Providence, wrote in our first constitutions, ‘The spirit of the Sisters of Divine Providence is, above all, the spirit of Jesus Christ himself.’ This spirit, which Bishop Ketteler embodied in his life, is what has thrilled and motivated me as a Sister of Divine Providence for the last 50 years.”
 Sister Ann Grace Lennex
Sister Ann Grace Lennex entered religious life from St. Rosalia Parish in Greenfield. She was influenced in her vocation by her CCD teachers and parish priest Father Peter Kunzig. Sister Ann Grace ministered briefly at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community (1987-91) but, for the most part, has devoted her life to the ministry of prayer, which she believes has taught her many truths, not only about herself, but the needs of the poor and those less fortunate. Prayer has brought her a deeper appreciation for Providence in her life and the lives of others. She is inspired in the many ways in which Providence comes alive in her community, and in helping the poor and needy in the world. Sister has been a faithful volunteer with the Multiple Sclerosis Society for 33 years and has also been a volunteer in hospice bereavement for 18 years. She describes herself as having a positive attitude and being generous and unselfish. She enjoys travel, crafts, and spending time with her Sisters in community.
 Sister Ann Pairn
Celebrating 50 years as a member of the Divine Providence Community, Sister Ann Pairn was born in St. Louis, Mo., and entered the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1961. Sister Ann professed her final vows in 1969.
Sister Ann’s teaching ministry included the following schools: Ascension School (Normandy, Mo., 1964-65), St. Andrew School (Tipton, Mo., 1966) and Mount Providence School (Normandy, Mo., 1967). Her nursing ministry included Normandy Osteopathic Hospital (Normandy, Mo., 1971-73) and St. Elizabeth Hospital (Granite City, Ill., 1974-79), where she was also a staff chaplain. She served in pastoral care at St. Anthony’s Hospital (St. Louis, Mo., 1981), as staff chaplain at Saint Louis University Hospital (St. Louis, Mo. 1984-89 and 2001-02) and a caregiver at CSJ Care (St. Louis, Mo., 2003-06). Sister Ann was also a missionary in the Chulucanas Diocese in Peru (1990-95).
Sister Ann has served in positions for her community: as a provincial councillor in both St. Louis, Mo. (1995-2000) and in Pittsburgh, Pa. (2006 to present). She credits the women religious she met from preschool to eighth grade as her influences and inspiration to enter religious life. She loves the expression of charism through the trust and confidence in God’s loving Providence.
“As I look through my 50 years of community life, I believe I have faithfully, humanly, lived my life out of the gift I have received as a Sister of Divine Providence,” says Sister Ann.
25 Years
.jpg) Sister Lu Haidnick
Lu Haidnick, CDP, entered religious life from St. Joseph Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She has been the pastoral associate at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Aurora, Ohio, since 1996. Prior to that, she was in pastoral ministry at St. Joseph Church in Dover, Ohio (1989 to 1994). Sister Lu was greatly influenced in her vocation by fellow Sister of Divine Providence, Rose Anne Krantz. Sister Lu found her friendship and witness, as well as her commitment as a Sister, to be inspiring. She lives the spirituality of Providence daily, and shares it with the people she meets. “I help raise people’s awareness of God’s Providential love and care for us,” she says. Sister Lu is energetic and mission-driven; she enjoys biking, tent camping, and gardening.
 Sister Maria Torres Melendez
Sister Maria Milagros Torres Melendez entered religious life from San Pablo Parish in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Growing up as an only child, Sister Maria remembers that her parents were proud that God chose their daughter to become a religious, and they both said, “We didn’t lose a daughter, but gained a community of daughters.” As an elementary special education teacher (she received her master’s degree on a government scholarship), Sister Maria taught at Colegio San Felipe in Arecibo, Puerto Rico from 1989 to 1992. From 1992 through the present, she has been teaching at Rafael Martinez Nadal Elementary School in Bayamón. In 1997, and again in 1998, she was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Senate of Puerto Rico and the Jesus T Piñero Civic Group, respectively. In addition to her teaching, she also has been director of the Associate program in Puerto Rico.
“Living a life centered on the Eucharist, daily visits to the chapel, and daily prayer give me balance and strength,” said Sister Maria when asked what she finds most satisfying and rewarding about her religious life. She believes that being a visible sign of Providence and God’s love for those she meets is what’s most important about living out the charism of the Community.
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