Sister Angela Osterman

After 40 plus years as Food Service Director and Lecturer at Mount St. Scholastica College, and then Benedictine College, I am involved in part of my life-long community ministry as a consultant dietitian for our Dooley Center nursing home.  My current ministry is about one third of the dietetics ministry I have done over 60 years as a member of this Benedictine community.

Since my high school decision to pursue a career in dietetics so I could serve others, I have been blessed to do this ministry which St. Benedict speaks about in his Rule. Chapter 36, “The Sick,” captures my current ministry. St. Benedict says, “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ.” 

Anyone engaged in the dietetics profession is truly concerned about serving others, but I have an advantage living in the monastic community, with its daily reminders of the presence of Christ.  There are several other chapters in the Rule that relate to the role of a dietitian, such as the Proper Amount of Food (39), and Drink (40), the Times for Meals (41), and the Reception of Guests (53). Guided by my training as a dietitian and my commitment to the monastic way of life, I have experienced great fulfillment in the many opportunities to serve others.