July 3, 2009
Six Sisters of Providence observe 50th anniversary
Six Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods celebrated their 50th anniversary June 27. They are Sisters Clelia Cecchetti, Ellen Cunningham, Brigid Mary Hurley, Paula Modaff, Dorothy Rasche and Therese Guerin Sullivan.
One is a native of the Diocese of Evansville who also ministered here, and another also ministered here. They are:
Sister Ellen Cunningham is a native of Chicago. She currently ministers as a professor of mathematics at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.
Sister Ellen, formerly known as Sister Michael Aquinas, entered the Congrega-tion July 22, 1959, from St. Luke Parish in River Forest, Ill. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1967.
She graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She received a master’s degree in mathematics from the Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in computing science education from the University of Evansville. She received a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Maryland.
Indiana ministries:
Loogootee: teacher, St. John School (1966-1967).
Fort Wayne: teacher, Central Catholic High School (1964-1966).
St. Mary-of-the-Woods College: assistant professor (1974-1982); associate professor and department chairperson (1983-1990); professor and department chairperson (1990-1992).
Sister Ellen also ministered in Illinois.
Sister Dorothy Rasche is a native of Jasper. She currently ministers as a Catholic spiritual guide at the U.S. Federal Penitentiary at Terre Haute and service coordinator for Connecting Link in West Terre Haute.
Sister Dorothy, formerly known as Sis-ter Rose Martin, entered the Congre-gation July 22, 1959, from St. Joseph Parish in Jasper. She professed perpetual vows Aug. 15, 1967.
She graduated from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received a master’s degree in religious studies from Mun-delein University.
Indiana ministries:
Vincennes: teacher, St. John School (1965-1968).
Sister Dorothy also ministered the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, in Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas and West Virginia.