Carol Stenger, CDP

Sister Carol entered religious life from St. Cecelia parish in Rochester, Pennsylvania in 1965. Sister Carol Stenger credits her late teachers Sister Bernette Pauley and Sister Gladys Goehring, as well as her maternal grandmother, parents and siblings with influencing and supporting her decision to become a Sister.

Sister Carol was initially educated to be a primary teacher. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education at Duquesne University, she spent 10 years teaching first and second grades, including St. Basil in Carrick, Pa. (1968–71), Nativity in South Park, Pa. (1971–72), St. Sylvester in Brentwood, Pa. (1974–75), and Blessed Sacrament in Warren, Oh. (1975–80).  While living and teaching at Blessed Sacrament, she attended Seattle University and obtained a master’s degree in religious education. After earning her degree, she served as a director of religious education at St. Mary of the Mount parish in Mount Washington, PA and then at St. Veronica parish in Ambridge, PA. She was a vocation director for the province for seven years. During this time, she helped to develop the former St. Peter’s Province Associate program and became its first director. Upon completion of this ministry, she furthered her education at West Virginia University and obtained a master’s degree in clinical social work. She worked briefly for Family Services and then was in private practice as a clinical social worker in Clarion, PA from 1995-2006. While in Clarion, Sr. Carol volunteered at the domestic violence agency: SAFE – Stop Abuse For Everyone and opened Amelia House as a safe place for women and children to live until they could find a permanent, safe place.  She lived with the women and their children for 15 years.

Sr. Carol earned a certificate in spiritual direction from Sacred Heart University in 2006. She served as a councillor on the Marie de la Roche Province Council from 2007-2011. After her term, Sister Carol ministered as a Clinical Social Worker/Spiritual Director at Samaritan Counseling Center in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. 

Presently she ministers as a spiritual director/retreat director and is the director of the social justice office for the Marie de la Roche Province.  She also continues in her ongoing ministry as a nanny, two afternoons a week for her niece’s children.

As a social worker, Sister Carol saw a variety of clients, from as young as five to those who were retired and facing their final years. She strives to have an unconditional regard for every person she serves, and she says that this mirrors the charism of striving to be the Face of Providence in our world. “My faith and my life as a Sister of Divine Providence are consonant with the values of social work and reflect my present call as a spiritual director and justice promoter.”

When reflecting on religious life, she stated, “I entered religious life in 1965, the year Vatican II ended. As a Congregation, we took seriously the call for renewal. Change wasn’t always easy, yet we keep moving forward and give renewed meaning to our history, charism and mission. I feel blessed by the God of Providence, Who calls me to continue to live a life of compassion, justice and peace as a member of my religious community and as a member of the human race.”

To view pictures from Sister Carol's 60th Jubilee, please click here.