Sister Ellen Pachmayer shares The Story of Rita Becoming a Franciscan Sister. Read Sister’s own journey to become a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity.
Once upon a time there was a little girl by the name of Rita Pachmayer. She grew up in a “church-going” family, that lived in Ironwood, Michigan. Her Mom, Helen and her Dad, Charles were loving parents. They had seven children; Barb, Kathy, then Rita, Helen Kay, David (the only boy) Mary and Chrissy.
Rita’s mom told her that, when she was about five, she used to wear a towel on her head and told everyone that she was going to be a Sister. As the years passed, she got involved with school, dating, band, and forgot all about the “towel”. Her friend went to the convent when she was a Sophomore in High-school; Rita was surprised that she went! She thought you had to be really holy to be a nun; she knew her friend was just normal! In Rita’s Senior year of high school, she had to decide where she would go to college. Rita began thinking seriously about being a Sister. She spoke with the Assistant Pastor, who unbeknown to her had been fasting and praying for vocations from the school. (St. Ambrose Catholic School). She told him she couldn’t decide if she should go to the convent or not. He very wisely said, “Well, Rita, it’s either “yes” or “no”. The Holy Spirit helped her to know that she didn’t really want it to be “no”. She left the rectory sure of her “yes” answer.
Little Rita, with the towel on her head, grew up to become Sister Ellen Pachmayer with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She entered the Community in August of 1963 and professed her first vows in June of 1965; and in 2025 she celebrated 60 years of being a Franciscan Sister.
Rita had many ups and downs throughout these years, but what an adventure! She taught in Wisconsin, Arizona and Hawaii. She doesn’t think she would have ever had a chance to even visit these states had she not been in the Community. Sister Ellen earned a Master degree in 1981 in the field of Educational Guidance and Counseling. She left the classroom after teaching 5th through 8th grades, for 14 years, and became an Elementary School Guidance Counselor. She taught Guidance classes, once a week from Pre-K to 8th grade and had individual conferences for students and parents, who wished to talk about some issue. She enjoyed this ministry for 44 years.
Sister now lives at St. Francis Convent in Manitowoc.
Sadly, though, since her 50th Jubilee in 2015, her family has dwindled. Mom, Kathy, Dave and Barb all died between 2018-2022, besides Mom, her two sisters and brother dying, her two brothers-in-law, Mike and Dan died in 2022, and Vicki, her Sister-in-Law died in 2024. She knows she will meet them again in heaven, but she misses them a lot here on earth. She does however, still have her sisters, Helen Kay, Mary and Chris and many nieces and nephews plus grand-nieces and nephews here on this earth to visit and enjoy.
Sister Ellen is so grateful for all the opportunities she has had in Community; not just travel and working with different cultures, but also being able to develop her Spiritual life: prayer, quiet time and Scripture have become very important to her. She is so glad that she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and so grateful for their care and concern for her over these past years.
The Spirit inspired little Rita, with the towel on her head, guided her through her growing up years and led her to this Franciscan home. He continues to lead her to her eternal home; where she knows she will “live happily ever after”. The End
If you feel God is calling you to be a Franciscan Sister, we invite you to a Diocese of Marquette Michigan Discernment Day on March 14, 2026. What should I do with my life, God? Join us for a Special Day of Prayer for Single, Catholic, Young Adult Women ages 18-35. Click here to register.
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