Frs. Richter and Ardolf to celebrate 40th anniversary
Fr. John A. Richter
will celebrate his 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm followed by an Open House reception and buffet luncheon from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Leifeld Hall.Fr. Richter was born in Bird Island, MN, the son of William and Clara Richter. He is the eighth of ten children. He attended St. Mary’s grade school in Bird Island and after eighth grade attended Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary, St. Paul, MN for high school and two years of college studying philosophy and theology at the St. Paul Seminary.
Fr. Richter and Fr. Lawrence Baumann, both sons of the parish, were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler, on Feb. 22, 1964 at St. Mary, Bird Island.
Following his ordination, Fr. Richter served as associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm, and also taught at Cathedral High School. Other assignments include: associate pastor at St. Anastasia, Hutchinson; pastor at St Michael, Madison; St. Peter, Canby; and St. Mary, Sleepy Eye, where he served for sixteen years. Before becoming the rector of the Cathedral and sacramental minister of St. John the Baptist, Searles, Fr. Richter served as pastor of the Wabasso cluster of parishes which included St. Anne, Wabasso and St. Mary, Seaforth, for four years and sacramental minister of Our Lady of Victory, Lucan, and St. Mathias, Wanda for two years.
Fr. Edward J. Ardolf,
pastor at St. Paul, Nicollet, will observe his 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood Feb. 23, 2004. The celebration will be on Feb. 29 (leap year makes this the 10th anniversary of his first Mass) at a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Thanksgiving followed by a brunch at 11:30 a.m. for parishioners, family and friends. An Open House will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a program at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, Nicollet.Fr. Ardolf was born in Silver Lake, MN, the son of Albert and Cecilia Ardolf. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Silver Lake High School, Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary, St. Paul, and St. Paul Seminary where he studied philosophy and theology.
On Feb. 23, 1964, Fr. Ardolf was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm. Following his ordination he served as associate pastor at Holy Trinity, Winsted; Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm; Holy Rosary, North Mankato. He served as pastor at St. Raphael, Springfield; St. Peter, Canby and St. Leo, St. Leo; Holy Rosary, North Mankato; St. Mary, Sleepy Eye; and St. Paul, Nicollet with some duties at St. Mary, New Ulm.