Mary Michael McCulla, CDP

Sister Mary Michael McCulla was living in Nevada when she inquired about religious life with the Sisters of Divine Providence, and remembers receiving personal letters from the late Sister Mary Philip Hampton. It was this personal touch that influenced her decision to join the Community.

After teaching elementary school for 7 years, Sister Mary Michael completed her nursing degree and served at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Granite City, IL (1967-84). In 1984, she began her advanced study in geriatric nursing at St. Louis University, receiving her master’s degree in 1986. She spent a year ministering with Cardinal Ritter Institute in St. Louis, MO, followed by 4 years in Alzheimer’s research at Washington University in St. Louis and then took a position in Geriatric Rehabilitation with St. Louis University’s Department of Geriatric Medicine. She then returned to St. Elizabeth Medical Center, which was owned and operated by the Sisters of Divine Providence from the 1920s until 2001.

For several months in 2001, and again in 2002, she was a family caregiver for each of her parents, in turn, as they were placed on hospice. She then began ministering as a Parish Nurse in St. Louis, a position she held until 2019, taking a hiatus from 2014-16 to work with the Sisters of Divine Providence in South Korea as an ESL teacher. From 2016-2019, she served as the Community's area administrator in Kingston, MA. In January 2026, she moved into The Commons in Allison Park, PA and is involved in internal ministry.

Self-described as grateful for the plentitude of God's gifts to her throughout her life, Sister Mary Michael believes she lives the mission of the Community by making Providence more visible in our world through healing ministries, in imitation of Jesus the Healer.

CLICK HERE to make a gift in honor of Sister Mary Michael's 70th Jubilee.