Jubilarian - 2022 Sister Francis Rita Voivedich

Sister Francis Rita Voivedich, baptized Cecelia Barrett, was in born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1943, the oldest of three girls. At age 18, she entered the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet in St. Louis, and, 12 months later, was received into the novitiate, taking her mom and dad’s name. After novitiate and juniorate, she entered St Mary’s School of Practical Nursing in St Louis and graduated in 1967.

After that she spent a year interning between St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood and Nazareth Living Center. Then after serving two more years at Nazareth, she was missioned to St. Joseph Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Sister Rita served for 40 years at St. Joseph Hospital in many ministries, including critical care, general medical surgery, home health, hospice care, and as the outreach nurse in St. Vincent dePaul Heath Center. She joined a women’s barbershop choir during this time, singing with the group for 10 years.

In 2010, Sister began to serve in Selma, Alabama, as an assistance to Ethel Kinnerson in setting up a Senior Care center, now called Center of Hope. All this was a ministry of the Edmundite Community. She fit right in with this “new family” with her love of music and dance and learned a song book full of spirituals.

In 2012 sister joined the congregational project in Gulu, Northern Uganda and worked with Sister Jo Ann Geary in the outpatient clinic at St Mauritz.

Returning to the states in 2018, Sister Fran moved to Kansas City after a year’s sabbatical in St Louis. She volunteered for a brief period of time at Journey to New Life, an organization dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter life following incarceration.

Today, she is retired (essentially), and volunteers wherever and whenever she is able. She still sings and dances some, even if only in her own home and even if the bones creek more than ever.

Click here to make a donation in honor of Sister Rita.