| Sister Judi Angst came from Winona to
join the Sisters of Saint Francis in Rochester, and
after novitiate spent her first years in religious life
in study and then in teaching. After Vatican II, she
focused on parish work and religious education, was for
some years vocation minister for the Congregation, and
worked toward a Master’s in Pastoral Studies. Since
2002, she has been the pastoral administrator
responsible for every aspect of parish life except the
sacramental ministry reserved to the priest for two
small southwestern Minnesota parishes: St. Joseph’s
Parish in Clements, MN, and St. Joseph and St.Thomas
Parish in Sanborn, MN.
As a Pastoral Administrator, S. Judi works with the
Parish Pastoral Councils and Finance Councils in
carrying out the Diocesan Plan for parishes indicating
that both these parishes will close or become oratories
by 2008.
S. Judi’s ministry involves pastoral care of the sick
and elderly, and at the time of the death of a
parishioner, comforting loved ones, as well as planning
for a wake service, funeral, burial, and all that
accompanies it. She becomes acquainted with parishioners
through home visits and other contacts, all of which
helps her to understand their lives and spirituality.
Religious education is still part of one parish, but
both are gradually being moved to a larger neighboring
parish.
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There are liturgical
responsibilities as well; S. Judi plays keyboard so she
accompanies the worship for many Masses, plans the music
and leads the choir. Sacristy work, paying bills,
keeping up correspondence, scheduling Mass intentions,
arranging for cleaning the church and church repairs:
these are mundane but very important aspects of the
ministry. There is significant involvement of
parishioners in nearly every realm of parish life, a
great help.
There are regular meetings of Pastoral
Administrators, as well as regional pastoral
leaders and, twiceyearly, diocesan pastoral ministers.
S. Judi’s pastors are, she feels, good partners.
S. Judi says some of the most rewarding aspects of
this ministry, for her, are times of sharing life with
persons seeking support because of illness, death in a
family, and personal difficulty. She is part of a small
Bible-sharing group, and enjoys opportunities to gather
with parishioners. After Mass, there may be coffee and
rolls and conversation. The annual Christmas
Extravaganza, the Mardi Gras, or just coming together to
put up decorations are all occasions for the
administrator and the parishioners to share life and
spirit, and to realize the fruits of having a minister
among them.
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