60th Entrance
Sister Jo Ann Simanella
Education: Bachelor’s in American studies and minors in elementary education and theology, Marillac College, St. Louis
Master’s in early childhood education, University of Dayton
Service in the archdiocese: Primary teacher, Mary Queen of the Universe School, St. Louis, 1962-64
Primary teacher, Ascension School, Normandy, 1964-67
Primary teacher, St. John Lateran School, Imperial, 1968-69, 1970-71
Primary teacher, Mount Providence School for Boys, Florissant, 1980-82
Principal, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, St. Louis, 1994-95
St. Louis Provincial Leadership Team, 1995-2001
Volunteer, Providence Center, 2001-04
Outpatient representative, St. John Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, 2006-11
Pastoral associate, St. Ferdinand Parish, Florissant, 2011-18
Part-time greeter, Hutchens Funeral Home, Florissant, 2018-present
Current funeral ministry, St. Ferdinand parish, Florissant, 2018-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Westchester, Madison and Brussels, Ill.
Principal in Westchester and Granite City, Ill., and Oberursel, Germany
Outpatient representative, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Granite City, Ill., 1993-94
About Sister Jo Ann Simanella: Self-described as personable, hospitable and compassionate, Sister Jo Ann enjoys spending time with her family, friends and Sisters. She also loves dancing, listening to music, traveling, taking photos, doing puzzles, reading and listening to St. Louis Cardinal baseball. When reflecting on the charism of the community and what it means in her daily life, Sister Jo Ann said, “I love our charism of Providence! I believe in a Provident God who loves me and provides me with opportunities of experiencing and also making His Providence more visible in/through the people and events of my everyday life.”
65th Entrance
Sister Gabriella Rogenski
Education: Bachelor’s in history, Marillac College
Bachelor’s and master’s in sculpture, Fontbonne University
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. John Lateran School, Imperial, 1957-60 and 67-69
Teacher, Ascension School, Normandy, 1965-67
Teacher, North American Martyrs School, Florissant, 1969-71
Teacher, St. Christopher, Black Jack, 1972-75
Director, Mount Providence, 1986-89
St. Louis Archdiocesan Commission on Sacred Art and Architecture, 1989-2000
Floral designer, Dierbergs Family Grocery and Floral Shop, St. Louis, 1996-2005
Hospitality, Providence House, Florissant, 2005-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Tipton and Bonnots Mill, Mo., and Meppen and Venice, Ill.
Designer, Artes del Valle, St. Francis Jerome Parish, Pueblo, Colo., 1975-84
About Sister Gabriella Rogenski: Self-described as artistic, happy and welcoming, Sister Gabriella enjoys sculpture, drawing and design, gardening and helping to heal the environment. She also enjoys keeping up to date on political, cultural and local and international issues. When reflecting on the charism of the community and what it means to her daily life, Sister Gabriella says, “Human dignity, justice and trust are most important to me.” She tries to follow the Gospel message the same way as the community’s founders, Bishop Ketteler and Marie de la Roche, and she strives to be present to everyone she meets.
70th Entrance
Sister Marguerite Luddon
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Harris Teachers College
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Mount Providence School, Normandy
Teacher, North American Martyrs School, Florissant, 1972-95
Teacher, Sacred Heart School, Florissant
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Westchester, Ill., and Wardsville and California, Mo.
About Sister Marguerite Luddon: Self-described as hard working, fun loving, and friendly, Sister Margie enjoys art, movies and reading.
Sister Zita Telkamp
Service in the archdiocese: Education ministry at various schools in the archdiocese
Provincial council, St. Louis Province, 1995-2001
Area coordinator of sisters in St. Louis, ministry at Room at the Inn, 2001-07
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher and principal in Venice, Madison, Brussels and Jerseyville, Ill.
Director of facilities, Providence Heights, Pittsburgh, 2007-08
Program director, La Posada Providencia, San Benito, Texas, 2008-present
About Sister Zita Telkamp: Grateful to God for her vocation and to her family and community for their love and support, flexible and open to change and conscientious in performing tasks related to her ministry, Sister Zita enjoys gardening and culinary arts. “Our community’s religious symbol reminds me daily of our charism: to make God’s Providence visible to all those who enter our doors at La Posada,” she said. “I am reminded daily to be open and trust in God’s Providence. I am invited by God to be a ‘co-creator’ by generating renewed hope to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers as they prepare for a ‘rebirth:’ begin a new life in a new country. Also, I am invited to be a ‘co-creator’ by caring for our environment by recycling, renewing and reusing. I am called to offer inclusive hospitality to all those entering La Posada’s door. I am sustained and energized by Jesus’ redemptive love.”
75th Entrance
Sister Dorothy Kiel
Education: Master’s in math and minor in education, Saint Louis University
Master’s in education, University of Dayton
Service in the archdiocese: Math teacher, Mount Providence Boys School, Normandy, 1971-79
Principal, Mount Providence Boys School, Normandy, 1979-86
Teacher and principal, St. John Lateran School, Imperial, 1965-71
Teacher and principal, Ascension School, Normandy, 1952-57, 1963-65
Teacher and principal, North American Martyrs School, Florissant, 1961-63
Provincial council member, Sisters of Divine Providence, St. Louis, 1975-80
Director of education, Sisters of Divine Providence, St. Louis, 1975-84
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher and principal in Tipton, Mo., and Brussels, Ill.
Teacher in Westchester and Madison, Ill.
Prayer ministry, St. Clare’s Villa, Alton, Ill., current