Beloved Sister Rita to be honored for 50 years of blessings
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
Half a century ago, Rita Epple made a choice that would chart the course of her life. Out of high school, she entered the convent and hasn?t second-guessed her decision once in 50 years. This Sunday, family and friends will gather at St. Dominic Catholic Church of Metz to celebrate Sister Rita Epple?s 50 years as a Sister of Mercy. A countywide open invitation has been extended for this golden jubilee celebration from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the parish hall.
Epple, who serves as pastoral administrator, admits the time has gone by faster than she could have imagined, and now that the milestone has arrived, it?s ?really overwhelming. ?When I think of the privileges I have as a sister and as a parish leader. I?m a part of people?s families when their babies are baptized, I?m part of a couple?s lives in preparation of marriage, I have the privilege of being with people when they are dying and families who are grieving. That?s such a personal part of people?s lives.? Raised in Midland, she traveled by bus to St. Mary High School in Bay City with her twin sister Mary to receive a Catholic education.
Following high school, she made the decision to pursue the vocation and dedicate her life to Christ and religious service. She began that commitment on Sept. 8, 1960 and finalized it by taking her final vows on Aug. 16, 1968. Rita, her twin sister Mary, as well as two other young ladies from her school, out of a class of 42, have continued their service all these years. ?We had no idea really what we were saying ?yes? to,? she said. In another celebration next month, the Sisters of Mercy will gather in Farmington Hills on Aug. 14 for an even bigger event. ?All the jubilarians will be celebrating. We have one that will be celebrating 80 years. She is 99 years old.? Sisters Rita and Mary will have relatives traveling as far away as Europe for the special moment.
?It?s so different from when I entered,? she said. ?When I entered we had a choice of being a nurse or a teacher. In a sense, you were told what you were going to be. Luckily, I was told I was going to be a teacher, because I would have never survived as a nurse.? Sh
Epple also has a certificate in religious education. ?When I entered the convent in 1960, I would have never even dreamed that I would be in charge of a parish as I am today,? she said emphatically. Epple worked in religious education in Gaylord, before Bishop Patrick Cooney invited her to take the assignment in Metz, 16 years ago. Epple would have been reassigned, but she was successful in asking for additional years.
?(Bishop Cooney) wouldn?t have known who would have come here,? she said. ?He said, ?Rita, what are you asking?? ?I want to stay in Metz until I?m 70.? I thought he was going to say, ?no, way, 12 years.? We?re similar to pastors.? Thirteen years is usually the limit. Cooney, who retired in ?09, added extensions and agreed to let her stay until June 2012. However, new Bishop Bernard Hebda wants her to stay beyond that date. ?The bishop sees the viability of this parish,? she said. ?He was here for an hour of the (summer) festival, and he was just amazed what this little parish could do that.?