Sister Rita Beason, OSF

Sister Rita entered the Sisters of St. Francis on September 6, 1954, receiving the name Sister Mary Anthony. She professed final vows on August 12, 1962.

Sister Rita received her BS in Education from the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico and her MS in Education from Our Lady of the Lake College San Antonio, Texas. Her post graduate studies were in Theology with emphasis on Scripture, Spirituality and Franciscan Studies.

Sisters’ teaching experience was in New Mexico and Nebraska. She ministered in Religious Education in Arvada, Colorado and Chadron, Nebraska. It was during Sister Rita’s five years as Staff Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Ministry – Hospice at Saint Anthony Hospital in Amarillo, Texas that she received her NACC Certification (National Association of Catholic Chaplains). From Texas, with certification in hand, she was assigned to Good Samaritan Health Systems, in Kearney Nebraska for twenty years as Chaplain in Pastoral Care from 1994-2014.

In our Franciscan Community Sister Rita ministered as Directress of Continuing Formation, and as Provincial Secretary for six years. Sister Rita retired from ministry and returned to Mount Saint Francis in 2018 transferring to the Nursing Center in 2019. During this time, she was the daily voice over the PA System, “Good morning good people” where she led a daily meditative reflection, both for the convent and the Nursing Center.

The rosary will be prayed for Sister Rita in the Mount Saint Francis Nursing Center Chapel at 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 30, and a Wake Service will be held in Canticle (Convent) Chapel at 5:15pm. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Friday, May 1st. in the Canticle (Convent) Chapel, followed by burial in the Mount Saint Francis Cemetery.