'I've felt very at home'

Father Kevin Richter is home.

The O'Brien County native this month returned to the area to serve Catholic parishes in Spencer, Hartley and Primghar. He's been getting acquainted with the new faces in his flock, even though they may already be acquainted with him.

"One of the things I like about coming to Spencer and O'Brien County is that it's back in the home territory," he said. "I was amazed on my first weekend already how many people knew me, knew my family, my parents, or aunts and uncles. There were lots of connections, and that was something I appreciated."

Richter grew up in Sheldon and attended St. Patrick's Elementary School and later Spalding Catholic High School in Granville. Becoming a priest was on his radar as early as second grade.

"I had great influence from my parents, the pastor in Sheldon at the time and my second grade teacher," he recalled. "They kind of instilled in me a desire to become a priest and that always stayed."

Richter eventually committed his life to the priesthood. He's learned a lot over the years and enjoys building relationships with the people in his congregations.

"I enjoy connecting with people and families at critical times in their lives, whether that's the birth of a child or sacramental celebrations, weddings and even funerals," he said. "I like being with families at a time of need."

A Diocesan priest, Richter has spent his career serving the Sioux City Dioscese. Past stints include stops as a high school teacher at Kuemper Catholic, Spalding Catholic and Remsen St. Mary's, and he served as priest at Hospers, Hawarden, Sioux City and Le Mars. Most recently Richter served St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll for the past six years.

Richter's first Sunday in Spencer and O'Brien County was July 16. He succeeds Father Tim Hogan, who retired this month.

Richter said he will take the next few months getting to know each congregation and learning their strengths and weaknesses.

"I've felt very at home here," he said. "Getting to know some of the people in the communities I cover has been something I've really enjoyed so far."