Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods (SP)

60th Entrance

Sister Denise (Sister Jessica) Wilkinson

Birth name: Mary Denise Wilkinson

Birthplace: Evergreen Park, Illinois

Entrance: Sept. 12, 1963

First profession: Aug. 15, 1966

Final profession: Aug. 25, 1973

Education: Bachelor’s in English, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Master’s in counseling, Saint Louis University

Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, John F. Kennedy High School, St. Louis, 1971-73

Preparation for formation ministry, Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, 1989-90

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Costa High School, Galesburg, Illinois, 1968-71

Assistant dean of resident, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, 1974-75

Dean of residency, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, 1975-79

Director, Pilot House, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Rosemont, Illinois, 1979-80

Director, Pilot House, St. Cornelius Parish, Chicago, 1980-82

Chicago liaison-development officer, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, 1980-82

Vice president of student affairs, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, 1982-89

Preparation for formation ministry, Wellspring House, Gloucester, Massachusetts, 1990

Preparation for formation ministry, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 1991

Formation director and volunteer, Hispanic Education Center, Indianapolis, 1991-93

Director of formation, Maternity BVM Convent, Chicago, 1993-96

Director, Office of Congregational Advancement, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 1996-2001

Vicar and general councilor, Sisters of Providence, 2001-06

General superior, Sisters of Providence, 2006-16

Donor relations associate, Mission Advancement Office, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 2017-present

75th Entrance

Sister Joan Mary Schaefer

Birth name: Mary Ann Schaefer

Birthplace: Cicero, Illinois

Entrance: July 22, 1948

First profession: Jan. 23, 1951

Final profession: Jan. 23, 1956

Education: Bachelor’s in education, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Master’s in education, Ball State University

Service in the archdiocese: Principal, Our Lady of Providence School, St. Louis, 1969-75

Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Patrick School, Stoneham, Massachusetts, 1951

Teacher, St. Ann School, New Castle, Illinois, 1951-53

Teacher, St. John the Baptist School, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1953-54

Teacher, St. Mary School, Richmond, Indiana, 1954-55

Teacher, St. John School, Indianapolis, 1956-59

Teacher, St. Genevieve School, Chicago, 1959-60

Teacher, St. Mary School, Lafayette, Indiana, 1960-65

Teacher and principal, All Saints School, Hammond, Indiana, 1965-66

Teacher, St. Joseph School, Hammond, Indiana, 1966-67

Teacher, St. Peter School, Linton, Indiana, 1967-68

Teacher, Our Lady of Sorrows School, Chicago, 1968-69

Principal, Immaculate Conception School, Chicago, 1975-89

Teacher, St. Francis Borgia School, Chicago, 1990-92

Teacher, Providence-St. Mel School, Chicago, 1992-98

Substitute teacher, Chicago area, 1998-2008

Substitute teacher and home school teacher, Chicago area, 2008-15

Substitute teacher and convent service, Chicago and River Grove, Illinois, 2015-17