MEET OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS PARISHIONER PATTY ODEGARD

Throughout our Parishes on the Prairie community, there are so many ministries. People sing in the choir, make food for funerals and clean the worship spaces. All of the ministries work together to keep our parishes operating so that we can celebrate our faith and receive Jesus. Patty Odegard fills a particularly important role in ensuring the Mass runs smoothly each week, as she arranges the schedules for various Mass ministries at Our Lady of the Angels.

“I got involved because I believe everyone has to do their part to get the work done,” she says.

Patty also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Especially in winter, she ties knots for the chaplets, which are distributed during Lent. In addition, she is a member of the Christian Mothers and serves as a substitute at the Adoration Chapel. She also helps with gardening in the Marian Garden and cleanup in the spring and fall.

“I love being outside and gardening, so helping in the Marian Garden is a ministry I enjoy,” Patty says. Our Lady of the Angels is truly a special place for Patty — it’s where she has celebrated all of her sacraments.

As a member of the Christian Mothers, Patty helps out with funeral meals whenever she is available. She will set up tables or help for a Saturday funeral. Working full-time for CentraCare Health, she fills in when she can.

“It’s important to me to help where I can because I feel a real obligation to help,” Patty says.

In putting together the ministry schedules, Patty sees how important it is for everyone to do their part. It can be challenging to fill all the slots for all the ministries. She hopes to see more people step forward to help, especially altar servers.

“You don’t have to make a big commitment,” she says. “Just do your part every once in a while.”

Patty had three adult boys, two daughters-in-law, and three granddaughters. In her free time, she enjoys walking, line dancing, and watching Sauk Centre sports, especially when she has nieces and nephews playing.

She also finds time also to get involved outside of Our Lady of the Angels, and is an important member of several other volunteer organizations. She sells tickets for sporting events, volunteers with food distribution for Ruby’s Pantry and serves as secretary for Dollars for Scholars.

“I like getting involved and getting to know different groups of people,” Patty says.

Patty Odegard with her family