Sisters of Divine Providence (CDP)
50th Entrance
Sister Barbara Mulnik
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Southern Illinois University.
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Mount Providence School, Normandy, 1973-74
Teacher, St. John’s Elementary School, Imperial, 1975-78
Teacher, Ascension Elementary School, Normandy, 1980-88
Pastoral minister, Ascension Parish, Normandy, 1988-94
Activity aide, Metropolitan St. Louis Psychiatric Center, St. Louis, 1995-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Blair Elementary School, Madison, Illinois, 1970-73
Teacher, St. Mary’s Elementary School in Brussels, Illinois, 1979-80
About Sister Barbara Mulnik: Sister Barbara Mulnik entered religious life from St. Mark Parish in Venice, Illinois. She credits her first grade teacher, Sister Clotilde, for influencing her decision to enter religious life. She said, “She was the first Sister of Divine Providence whom I encountered and I remember her consoling me after I was splashed at the water fountain. ... The people at my parish recited a vocation prayer every Sunday after Mass when I was in elementary school. The thought of becoming a sister would never leave my mind. I entered religious life to find out what God wanted me to do, so I wouldn’t wonder about my vocation decision for the rest of my life.” As for what aspect of religious life Sister Barbara has found most satisfying, rewarding or surprising, she said, “I met the Lord in my students as a teacher, in the elderly as a pastoral minister, and in the patients at the psychiatric center where I never imagined I would be working. I am unable to thank God enough for this call to join with the Sisters in a relationship with the Lord, who is always there in our joys, sorrows, and concerns of our heart, if we just allow ourselves to be present to Him. It is a lovely journey to be quiet, to listen, and to wait for what God wants to show us.” Self-described as spontaneous, caring and thankful, Sister Barbara enjoys dancing the polka, shopping for bargains and following global issues.
75th Entrance
Sister Mary Gabriel Friedel
Education: Bachelor’s in education from Webster College
Service, the archdiocese: Teacher, Ascension School, Normandy, 1951-53
Teacher, Mount Providence School, Normandy, 1954-56, 1965, 1986-88
Teacher, North American Martyrs School, Florissant, 1957, 1967-69
Teacher, St. John School, Imperial, 1981-82
Executive housekeeper, Our Lady’s Retreat House, Normandy, 1983-85
Childcare provider, University of Missouri-St. Louis Child Development Center, Normandy, 1991
Teacher, Villa St. Joseph Child Care Education Center, Ferguson, 1994-95
Service outside the archdiocese:
Teacher, Annunciation School, California, Missouri, 1950
Teacher, St. Mary’s School, Madison, Illinois, 1958
Teacher, St. Elizabeth School, Granite City, Illinois, 1959-63, 1966, 1970-77
Teacher, St. Mary-St. Mark School, Madison-Venice, Illinois, 1978-79
File clerk, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Granite City, Illinois, 1997-99
Caregiver, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Granite City, Illinois, 2000-02
Volunteer in finance office, St. Anthony’s Health Center, Alton, Illinois, 2003-present
About Sister Mary Gabriel Friedel: Sister Mary Gabriel Friedel entered religious life from her home parish of St. Joseph in Meppen, Illinois. Although she did not attend St. Joseph School, she used to visit the Sisters of Divine Providence who taught there, and she considers them to be her greatest influence in becoming a sister. When reflecting on her religious life and what she’s found most rewarding, she cites the time she spent teaching first grade and the look of success beaming in the students’ eyes when they learned something new. Describing herself as “quiet, professional, and organized,” Sister Mary Gabriel enjoys embroidery and all sorts of puzzles, from jigsaw to word searches.