MEET ST. ANDREW’S PARISHIONER RITA ANDERSON Serving in Gratitude for the Blessings of Faith and Family

Getting involved in a ministry doesn’t need to be a big commitment that takes all your free time. It could just be a simple effort, like making sure the grounds look nice when you drive by. That’s what Rita Anderson does, among other things. She likes to make sure sticks are picked up, the bushes are trimmed and weeds are pulled at St. Andrew’s. She also does the watering about twice a week in the summer.

“It’s satisfying to make it all look nice,” Rita says. “People usually stop by to talk. Nobody told me I had to do this. I just started because I like it.”

Recently, Rita was asked by a friend to become a greeter, so she does that as well. She loves being there to welcome people into the church. She enjoys handing out the occasional hug and handshake.

Rita gets to about two daily Masses a week. She’s very thankful to have a parish to attend.

“I believe in God and because I believe in Him, I worship Him,” she says.

In addition, Rita prays the Rosary twice per day while she walks around her house — once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

“I have to stay in shape, so I can keep working in the gardens because that is what I love,” she says.

Rita has also been a member of the Council of Catholic Women for many years. The group is involved in fundraisers, and the members meet monthly. They are involved in the St. Andrew Fall Fair and raise money for various parish and community groups. In the past, they have helped purchase books for the parish, assisted with the Faith Formation program, and supported meals for homebound people, to name a few. Every year, Rita makes a quilt that is raffled off at the Fall Fair.

“That raffle usually brings in about $500,” Rita says. “Making a quilt is a lot of work, but I enjoy it. I usually spend most of the year working on the quilt. I really like to sew.”

Rita also enjoys using those sewing skills to fix small things for the church, like altar cloths. Sewing and gardening are favorite activities for Rita. She also enjoys playing the piano (just for herself), walking, reading, and having coffee with friends. Having grown up in North Dakota, she enjoys going back there to visit.

Many years ago, Rita also taught CCD classes. This was a great fit because she had been a teacher professionally. Rita’s most recent job was as a third-grade teacher at Bert Raney Elementary until she retired in 2002. Rita’s husband, Jack, passed away 11 years ago. She has four children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild — another great-grandchild is on the way this spring.

“I enjoy having the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids around to visit,” she says.

Rita feels very blessed by her family and her parish family at St. Andrew’s.

“It’s small and you get to know people,” she says. “The people here are friendly, and they stick around to visit after Mass.”

Rita Anderson feels very blessed by her family and her parish family at St. Andrew’s.