Sister Rita Clare Gerardot

Sister Rita Clare was born on September 19, 1926, in Besancon, Indiana, the seventh of 10 children. Besancon, she said, is a “small rural area 12 miles east of Fort Wayne.”

Sister Rita Clare entered the Congregation on July 21, 1944, at the age of 17.

Sister Rita Clare said, “It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I truly felt that God was calling me to be a Sister of Providence.”

She professed first vows in 1947 and final vows in 1952.

Sister Rita Clare said she spent 30 years in teaching and administration at the elementary school level, as well as 12 years in pastoral care (in parishes and Sisters of Providence health care). She also ministered for three years as a receptionist at Mother Theodore Guerin High School. Her final ministry was in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Of the students she taught, Sister Rita Clare said, “I still keep in touch with some of my former students and am always delighted when I hear from them or enjoy when they come to the Woods for a visit.”

Sister Rita Clare said her favorite pastime was reading and she enjoys movies and music.

Sister Rita Clare Gerardot

Complete Ministry

In Indiana: Teacher, St. Catherine, Indianapolis (1947-51); Teacher, St. John, Vincennes (1952-53); Teacher/Principal/Superior, Sacred Heart, Whiting (1956-59); Teacher, St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne (1965-67); Superior/Principal, St. Luke, Indianapolis (1967-69); Principal, St. Luke, Indianapolis (1973-77); Teacher, St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne (1977-79); Pastoral Minister, St. Martin de Porres Parish, Syracuse (1981); Parish Minister with Elderly and Poor, Cathedral Parish, Indianapolis (1981-89); Health Care, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (1992-93); Local Community Representative (LCR) Health Care, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (1993-96); Director of Wellness Center, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (1996-2008); Volunteer, Terre Haute, West Terre Haute, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2008-2015); Volunteer, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2015-2021); Prayer, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2021-2022).

In Illinois: Teacher, St. Columbkille, Chicago (1953-55); Teacher, St. Angela, Chicago (1955-56); Principal/Superior, St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1962-65); Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1989-92);