Sister Rita (Cabrini) Schwarz, ASC, celebrated 75 years as a vowed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Wichita Center in Wichita, KS. Sister Rita made her first profession on July 1, 1950, and her final vows on July 1, 1955. She marked her anniversary with the Eucharistic celebration and a festive dinner with the ASC community.
Sister Rita was born in Grinnell, KS, to Alexander and Mary Schwarz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart College, now Newman University, in 1961. She received a master’s in Elementary Guidance and Counseling from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, in 1968, and a master’s in religious education from St. Mary University in San Antonio, TX, in 1976.
She spent almost 20 years as an elementary teacher, primarily in Kansas, including both St. Mary and St. Joseph schools in Offerle, Sacred Heart in Eureka, Windhorst in Spearville, St. Martin in Piqua, St. Joseph in Liebenthal, and St. Mary in Aleppo. She served as principal and teacher at St. Joseph in Offerle. She also taught at Sacred Heart in Roggen, CO.
Sister Rita worked in the Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Dodge City in Dodge, City, KS; and served as Director of Religious Education at St. Patrick in Great Bend, KS, and at St. Helena in Hobbs, NM. She was the Diocesan Consultant for Religious Education and Media for the Diocese of Salina, KS. She spent several years as Pastoral Minister of St. John in Logan, Densmore, and Phillipsburg, KS; and later as Pastoral Associate at St. Nicholas of Myra in Hays, KS. For several years, Sister Rita was also an instructor of Theology at Newman University.
Her dedication to the ASC Associate Program is evidenced by her service as Director, then Co-Director for many years. Other community service included a term as Provincial Councilor and Secretary for the former Province of Wichita. At the Wichita Center she served a term as Director for Community Life and Mission, a leadership role for the sisters residing there. She continues to assist with various duties at the Center where she is Living Mission in Later Life.