Rev. Fred Fink to retire after 44 years of ministry

An Open House Retirement Party in honor of Fr. Fred Fink, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes, Spicer and St. Anthony, Regal, will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2005, at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Spicer from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Fr. Fink was ordained to the priesthood on February 25, 1961 by Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler. During his ministry he has served in the parish communities of St. Mary, Bird Island; St. Mary, Sleepy Eye; St. Columban, Greenleaf; St. Gertrude, Forest City, Holy Name, Vesta; St. James, Dawson; St. Francis, Benson; St. Bridget, DeGraff; Our Lady of the Visitation, Danvers; St. John, Darwin; Our Lady of the Lakes, Spicer; St. Anthony, Regal.

Fr. Fink has served as pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes and St. Anthony's since June 18,1999. Throughout his six years as pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes, some major changes took place. Among these were the purchase of the original church and rectory by the Department of Transportation in order to make way for a major highway reconstruction. At this point Fr. Fink oversaw the building of a new Our Lady of the Lakes Church. He continues with his pastoral duties with an ever-growing parish.

Fr. Fink has become known for his deeply spiritual yet down to earth homilies, his golfing, fishing and bowling abilities and his sense of humor.