For Marian Rose Swetish and Anita Rivera, answering God’s call first led them into religious life with the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. Today, that same call continues through their service at Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, where vocation is lived out in concrete, life-changing work with individuals and families most in need.

Rooted in Faith and Family

Both women were raised in faith-filled homes where prayer, family, and church life shaped daily rhythms. Marian Rose, the fifth of seven children, grew up in Corpus Christi in a close-knit Catholic family that welcomed priests and religious communities into their home. Her grandmother, a devoted member of the Blue Army—a Marian apostolate rooted in the message of Our Lady of Fatima—left a lasting imprint through her love of the rosary and annual May crownings of the Blessed Mother. That Marian devotion would later shape Marian Rose’s vocational path.

Anita was raised in Taft, Texas, the eighth of 12 children, in a family deeply rooted in faith. Music and worship were central to family life. She and her siblings sang in choirs and played instruments during Mass and at home. Her father’s conversion from alcoholism, after years of prayer by her mother and grandmother, modeled perseverance and trust in God. Growing up surrounded by faith and music, Anita developed a love for engaging with people through song and ministry, a passion that later influenced her vocation with the Schoenstatt Sisters.

Discovering the Call

As teenagers, both women were introduced to the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary through retreats and youth gatherings. Marian Rose became actively involved in retreats during high school and spent a summer assisting the sisters before deciding to enter religious life at 18. Anita, drawn by the sisters’ joy, musical talent, and closeness to the people, discerned her vocation during high school as well.

Before entering religious life, the two traveled together to Germany, the birthplace of the Schoenstatt Movement, deepening their understanding of the community’s mission and spirituality.

Formed in Trust and Service

Founded in 1926 by Father Joseph Kentenich, the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary emphasize spiritual formation, Marian devotion, and service to families and communities. Central to the movement is trust in God’s providence. Father Kentenich wrote, “In order to please God … we must have boundless confidence.”

That confidence shaped years of formation and service for both women. Marian Rose spent 16 years in religious life, serving in a wide range of roles that included household management, pharmacy work, religious education, international service in Germany, and accompaniment of young women discerning religious life.

If you say yes, no matter what, He’s going to lead you where He wants you. It’s ultimately His work that we’re doing.

Anita’s formation took a different, but equally formative path. Though she hoped to work directly with people through music and ministry, she was instead assigned to the kitchen—a role she initially resisted.

“I specifically said I didn’t want the kitchen,” Anita laughed. “And that’s exactly where they put me.”

What began as disappointment soon became a profound lesson. The kitchen, she discovered, was the heart of the community—a place where the sisters gathered, stories were shared, and care was quietly given. In learning to serve there, Anita came to understand that vocation is lived not in preference, but in faithful response.

A Vocation that Continues

Eventually, due to health reasons, Marian Rose discerned that God was calling her to a new chapter.

Her vocation continued through parish ministry. For 16 years, Marian Rose served as director of religious education at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, where she developed a deep love for families with children who have special abilities. That calling ultimately led her to Catholic Charities, where she now serves as co-director of Ministry & Life Enrichment for Persons with Special Abilities.

Through programs such as Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, she helps ensure that children with special abilities are fully welcomed into the life of the church and supported in their spiritual development.

“I really like the community at Catholic Charities,” Marian Rose said. “There’s strong support. It feels like family.”

Serving Where the Need is Greatest

Anita spent nearly five years with the Schoenstatt Sisters before discerning a call to serve more directly in the world. The transition was difficult, but her formation taught her to trust.

“If you say yes, no matter what, He’s going to lead you where He wants you. It’s ultimately His work that we’re doing,” Anita said.

Today, Anita serves as director of emergency aid at Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi. In her role, she oversees programs that provide immediate assistance to individuals and families experiencing crisis—helping stabilize households, meet urgent needs, and restore dignity during moments of uncertainty.

Faith in Action

Together, Marian Rose and Anita embody how faith-based formation strengthens Catholic Charities’ mission and capacity to serve. Their journeys show that vocation does not end, it evolves, taking shape through leadership, compassion, and service rooted in trust.

Through their work, individuals with special abilities are more fully included, families receive critical support in times of crisis, and faith is translated into action that transforms lives. With boundless confidence, both women continue to answer God’s call—serving Christ through Catholic Charities and the communities they accompany every day.

Thank you to Sharmane Adams, director of marketing and communications at Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, for this story.