60th Entrance
Sister Janet Folkl
Entrance: June 26, 1960
Education: Bachelor’s in theology and Master’s in spirituality from Saint Louis University.
Service in the archdiocese: Elementary teacher, North American Martyrs School, Florissant
Elementary teacher, St. John School, Imperial
Elementary teacher, Ascension and Mt. Providence Schools, Normandy
Provincial leadership in the former St. Louis Province, 1990-2001
Retreat director and formation
Pastoral asociate in adult faith formation
Service outside the archdiocese: Elementary teacher, St. Mark School, Venice, Illinois
Novice director and teacher, Sacred Heart High School, Kingston, Massachusetts, 2003-07
General Superior of the congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence, including provinces in Germany, Korea, North America/Caribbean and one mission in Peru, 2007-16
Associate campus minister, La Roche University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2017-present
About Sister Janet Folkl: Her vocation was inspired and nurtured by the women religious who were her teachers. Living her community’s charism of trust in Divine Providence has been, Sister Janet says, “a participation in the dance of grace and freedom.” Trusting that life and all that she is is a gift, has led her to respond to the needs of the community and the world. Through her ministries, she has experienced a rich diversity of opportunities for learning and generous giving. Self-described as enthusiastic, encouraging and grateful, Sister Janet enjoys reading, movies, sports and dancing.
70th Entrance
Sister Celine Maasen
Entrance: Sister Celine Maasen entered religious life from St. Stanislaus in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Education: Sister Celine earned a bachelor of arts from Harris Teachers College.
Service in the archdiocese: Cook, Mount Providence, Normandy, 1954-58
Elementary teacher, North American Martyrs School, Florissant, 1959-61
Elementary teacher, Ascension School, Normandy, 1962
Elementary teacher, St. Andrew School, Tipton, 1963-64
Elementary teacher, St. John School, Imperial, 1965-68
Elementary teacher, Mary Queen of the Universe School, Lemay, 1976-81
Maintenance, Mount Providence School, Normandy, 1982-91
Housekeeping, YWCA homeless shelter, St. Louis, 1994-96
Suite keeper at the Embassy Hotel, Bridgeton, 1997-2003
Church and school maintenance, St. Ann Church, Normandy, 2004-15
Service outside the archdiocese: Elementary teacher, St. Mary’s School, Madison, Illinois, 1953
Elementary teacher, Divine Providence School, Westchester, Illinois, 1969
Elementary teacher, St. Elizabeth School, Granite City, Illinois, 1970-72
Elementary teacher, St. Mary-St. Mark School, Madison-Venice, Illinois, 1973-75
Elementary teacher, St. Pius X School, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1981
About Sister Celine Maasen: She credits her eighth-grade teacher, Sister Mary William Haug, for greatly influencing her decision to become a sister. When reflecting on what is the most important to her within the charism of the community or how she sees herself living out her charism, she says, “I love to do things for the poor (getting things for them to use or eat). I trust in Divine Providence for all the things that happen in my life.” Self-described as fun loving and a bird lover, Sister Celine enjoys word-search- and jigsaw puzzles, doing crafts, playing cards and listening to the Cardinals baseball games. She says of her time working at the Embassy Hotel, “That was very exciting and I showed many people how we lived and what we stood for.” Currently, Sister Celine lives at St. Clare’s Villa in Alton, Illinois, where she crochets hats and scarves for the poor.
