EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
ENRICHING LIVES IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA

Msgr. Michael Woster

In March of 1950, Michael Woster was born into a very Catholic Farm/Ranch family 13 miles west of the Missouri River near Reliance, South Dakota. He was the middle child of seven siblings, three sisters and four brothers. He attended school in Chamberlain, South Dakota, graduating in 1968. Michael worked for the Corps. of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management before being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War in June of 1970. He was honorably discharged in 1972.

Msgr. Woster attended seminary at St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN from 1974-1978, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with high honors. He attended St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN from 1978-1982. He was ordained to the priesthood June 11, 1982, by Bishop Harold J. Dimmerling. Later he attended the University of St. Paul in Ottawa, Canada from 1985-1987. He holds graduate degrees in theology and church law and is a licensed canon lawyer. He was named a monsignor in 1994 by Pope John Paul II.

He has served in many parishes during his 42 years of priestly service, both large and small, rural and city alike. He retired as pastor, at the age of 72, from St. Joseph’s parish in Spearfish and St. Paul’s parish in Belle Fourche. During his many years serving at the Chancery in Rapid City, he also served as Auxiliary Chaplain for Ellsworth AFB for more than 10 years.

Monsignor has also held numerous administrative positions in the diocese. He was a director for Catholic Social Services, Chaplain for the Rapid City Catholic School System, Chancellor, Vicar-General, Judicial-Vicar, Moderator of the Diocesan Curia, and Diocesan Administrator between Bishops Chaput and Cupich. One the blessings he counts dear is his ad limina visit to Rome in 1997 to present the state of diocese report to Pope John Paul II.

In addition, Monsignor has served on various committees and boards over his years of service such as the Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, and the School Board for the Rapid City Catholic School System. He is also a founding member and past president of the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation. He has been and is currently the Executive Secretary for the Priest Retirement and Aid Association.

Also, he is particularly proud and grateful for the leadership team members who worked with him to finance and build the Black Hills State University Newman Center in Spearfish.

Monsignor remains an avid guitar player and motorcycle enthusiast, a witness to his cultural origins in the ‘60’s.