Sr. Rita Schafer CSJ

Rita Schafer was born in Westphalia, MI on July 5, 1938 the daughter of Otto and Eleanor (Kolp) Schafer. She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Westphalia prior to her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on September 1, 1957. She received the name Sister Julianne at her reception on July 2, 1958 but in later years returned to the use of her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on July 2, 1960, and final vows on July 2, 1963.

Sister Rita received her Bachelor’s Degree from Nazareth College majoring in English. She went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Education/Reading from Marygrove College. Sister Rita began her ministry of teaching at St. David’s in Detroit, MI. She also taught at St. Benedict in Highland Park, St. Monica in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph in St. John and St. Therese in Lansing. From 1979-1993 Sister Rita taught Reading at both Nazareth College Reading Center and Kalamazoo Public Schools (Jail Ministry). Prior to her retirement in 2010, Sister Rita was the Outreach Co-Director at the Catholic Community Center in Benton Harbor, MI. After her retirement Sister Rita was a constant presence and service to all of the Sisters at Nazareth Center.

Sr. Rita’s choice of scripture for her Silver and Golden Anniversaries as a Sister of St. Joseph give witness to her faith in God’s providential love for her throughout her life and ministry, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe, plans to give you a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) God’s plan for Sr. Rita included years of teaching in many settings that enabled her to bring the presence of God’s unifying love to those she encountered. Through her life of service as a Sister of St. Joseph, Sr. Rita made more visible God’s plan to give all creation a future full of hope!

May she rest in peace!