Mother Rita Brunner Celebrates 70 Years of Religious Life

July 31, 2004 (Lowell, Michigan) - Mother Rita Brunner, F.S.E., celebrated the 70th anniversary of her religious profession at a special Mass and dinner with her community and friends. She was first professed as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and taught in many of the Order's schools, including its mission in the province of Santa Ana, El Salvador. She was the first Provincial of one of the FSPA provinces.

Mother Rita is one of the founding members of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and served on the General Council for many years. She has directed the prayer and liturgical life of the Community since its beginning. Instrumental in founding the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, Mother Rita is well known for her years of dedication to the center's growth from its meager beginnings in the early 1970's to its expansive outreach today. Her presence in the center's pre-school program has influenced numerous children and parents over the years.

She was joined in the celebration by her Sisters, priests from the area, and crowds of friends and well-wishers.