In this post we will be featuring Angela Rosson, who graduated from the Institute for Ministry Formation in May 2024. She completed the Spiritual Direction certificate and currently lives in Vancouver, Washington State. Angela is a lay Franciscan affiliated with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, providing therapy support to individuals and couples in a private practice. Angela also helps with seminary formation at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon. She also does life coaching and has continued to provide spiritual direction.

Fr. Boniface and Fr. Tom came to Mount Angel Abbey to give a retreat in 2019, which is when Angela learned about the program. Her studies with the IMF have helped her realize her call to assist others experience flourishing lives and to encourage them in their relationships with God.

Her favorite course with the IMF was SD2: Directing Prayer, held in-person at Saint Vincent. Angela greatly enjoyed being able to meet online classmates in person. “It felt like a retreat to be there,” she said. Additionally, Dr. Helene Paharik’s course Sacramental theology and Ecclesiology for Spiritual Directors was impactful to Angela. “She was so warm and encouraging to our class, as well as a brilliant teacher, and I gained such a deeper appreciation of the role of the laity in the Church.”

Angela is part of the Communion of Catholic Coaches and will be participating in a project to provide coaching support to the clergy and some lay leaders in the Diocese of Camden. She also aids OCIA at her parish in Washington state. Additionally, she recommends that the IMF students take advantage of the wonderful community that develops with classmates. She cherishes the ongoing relationships she has with fellow graduates of the IMF.

Lastly, she is grateful for the program and the ongoing support that the IMF provides. Thank you, Angela!