Providence sisters celebrate 80 and 75 years in congregation

Providence Sister Grace Stewart, a native of Indianapolis, is celebrating 80 years as a member of the congregation at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Four Sisters of Providence are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their entrance into the congregation.

They are Sisters Theresa Rose Butts, Maureen Loonam, Rosalie Marie Weller and Anne Marita Wynne.

Sister Grace entered the Sisters of Providence on Aug. 20, 1929, from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis. She professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1937.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and a master’s degree in education at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

In the archdiocese, Sister Grace taught at the former Holy Trinity School in New Albany from 1956-57.

She also ministered at St. Joseph School in Jasper, Ind., from 1961-64.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she served as a nurse’s aide from 1971-80, and in infirmary service from 1980-85. She also ministered in community service from 1994-96 and residential services from 1996-97.

Sister Grace also taught at Catholic schools in Illinois, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

She currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Theresa Rose Butts, a native of Galesburg, Ill., entered the Sisters of Providence on July 15, 1934, from Corpus Christi Parish in Galesburg. She professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1942.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and a master’s degree in English at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

In the archdiocese, Sister Theresa Rose taught at St. Patrick School in Terre Haute from 1948-52, and served as a teacher and principal at the former St. Benedict School in Terre Haute from 1952-58.

She also taught at Catholic schools in Fort Wayne, Ind., as well as in Illinois, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Theresa Rose ministered in residential services from 1996-2006.

She currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Maureen Loonam, a native of Freeport, Minn., entered the Sisters of Providence on Feb. 10, 1934, from SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish in Indianapolis. She professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1941.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and a master’s degree in education administration at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

In the archdiocese, Sister Maureen taught at the former St. Joseph School in Indianapolis from 1967-68, and served as the principal at St. Simon School in Indianapolis from 1968-76.

She also taught or served as the principal at Catholic schools elsewhere in the state in Evansville, Lafayette and Jasper as well as in Illinois.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Maureen served as the director of summer sessions and continuing education from 1977-86, a librarian from 1986-89 and the resource center coordinator from 1989-2007.

She currently ministers in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Rosalie Marie Weller, a native of Earl Park, Ind., entered the Sisters of Providence on July 15, 1934. She professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1942.

In the archdiocese, she served as a parish visitor in Indianapolis from 1984-85 and in parish service at St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis from

1985-2001.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Rosalie Marie ministered as an infirmary cook from 1937-38, and a cook at the priest’s house from 1940-49 and 1963-64.

Sister Rosalie Marie also served as a cook, in parish ministry and as a ministry coordinator for senior citizens in Fort Wayne, Ind.

She currently ministers in residential services at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Anne Marita Wynne, a native of St. Augustine, Ill., entered the Sisters of Providence on July 15, 1934, from St. Patrick Parish in Galesburg. She professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 23, 1943.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and a master’s degree in education at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

In the archdiocese, Sister Anne Marita taught at St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis in 1943.

She also taught or served as the principal at Catholic schools elsewhere in the state in Jasper, Loogootee and Fort Wayne as well as in Illinois.

At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Sister Anne Marita served the college as a faculty secretary from 1984-89 and a resource center staff member from 1989-96.

She currently ministers in residential services at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. †