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On episode thirty-eight of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I spoke with Sr. Rita Clare, TOR about how the Lord brought her to the TOR Sisters.

Biography:

For the first 23 yrs of my life, I lived for myself and my own aspirations and desires.  I wanted to win state championships in basketball and I did, I wanted to earn a full ride Division I scholarship in basketball and I did.  I wanted to earn my degree in sports medicine and I did.  I wanted to work at the University of Notre Dame and I did.  I wanted good friends and good times and I had them!  I even played 5 yrs of women's professional football winning 3 national championships for the Detroit Demolition women's football team.  God was an afterthought for me....mass on Sundays, and prayer before I went to bed....sometimes.  Until one Sunday at mass I heard a homily on  1 Corinthians 11:29, that says, "Anyone who eats and drinks the body and blood of Christ without discerning himself he eats and drinks condemnation on himself. That is why many among you are sick and dying. "  That homily explained to me that I should not be receiving the Eucharist every Sunday if I am in the state of mortal sin.....which I was often with all the drinking and unhealthy relationships I was in.  The priest said we needed to go to confession before we received the Eucharist in that state.  I went back to confession for the 1st time in 10 yrs and that began a journey of monthly confession, daily reading my Bible and going to daily mass. My life was beginning to have more peace and be less of a train wreck. It was soon after this that I went on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi and there felt a call to religious life.  I ran from the call for 3 yrs, hoping I "heard" the Lord wrong.  But when I was 29 yrs old I surrendered my life, my heart and my will and gave the Lord everything and He has not disappointed! He is never outdone in generosity.  I made my final vows as a Fransican sister T.O.R. in 2018 and have never been happier or more fulfilled.

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