Guardian, director to leave Prior Lake’s

Franciscan Retreats

By Shawn Hogendorf

Staff Writer

After spending 10 years as a guardian for the Franciscan friars and the retreat director at Franciscan Retreats in Prior Lake, the Rev. Ken Bartsch is moving on. He is going to work for the Franciscan provincial headquarters in Mount St. Francis, Ind.

“I have taken this as far as I can. It is time for new ideas and new leadership,” Bartsch said.After 10 years of service as a
guardian with the Franciscan friars
and director of Franciscan Retreats,
the Rev. Ken Bartsch is moving on
to the Franciscan provincial
headquarters in Mount St. Francis,
Ind. (Photo by Shawn Hogendorf)

A farewell reception for Bartsch will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Franciscan Retreats, 16385 St. Francis Lane, Prior Lake.

Bartsch served at Franciscan Retreats from 1982 to 1988 before returning in 1997 to serve for another 10 years.

In addition to his work with the friars and the retreat-goers, Bartsch served as chaplain for the John Deere Council 4914 of the Knights of Columbus and assisted in pastoral ministry at various churches in the Prior Lake area.

“Father Bartsch loved the retreat center,” said Bob Roddy of Franciscan Retreats. “He was very devoted and concerned with the expansion and growth of the retreat center.”

During Bartsch’s time with Franciscan Retreats, he started an endowment program for the retreat center to help with long-term financial support, Roddy said.

The endowment program was launched just as the dot-com era tanked, Bartsch said.

“It wasn’t a great time to ask for money that wasn’t going for any reason other than endowment,” he said. “But it has been very successful. People have been very generous and supportive of the retreat center.”

Bartsch also worked on the retreat board to assist with management policies and direction. He developed and maintained the retreat center’s Web site and started an ongoing group of financial support for the retreat house called the Apostle’s League, which has grown to support 15 percent of the income for the retreat center, Roddy said.

“He is a very loyal person,” Roddy said. “He is very conscious of duty and following through with retreat [attendants].”

As director of the retreat center, Bartsch lead the team of retreat presenters, cook staff, housekeeping, secretaries and volunteers.

“I really enjoyed seeing good things happen around the retreat house,” Bartsch said. “To realize how much generosity it takes to make retreats happen. It’s wonderful to see how many people it takes to keep an organization like this going. These people could make higher salaries elsewhere, but it is great to see the dedication and love for their work here.”

Bartsch said his favorite part of working with the retreat house over the past 10 years has been preaching and poetry recitation.

“The retreatants come in very tired, stressed and confused” Bartsch said. “They go home refreshed not even 48 hours later. It’s a high experience. Many people come once a year, and some come twice a year.”

A lot of Bartsch’s job over the years has been maintenance and fund-raising for the retreat center, he said. In the 10 years as director, Bartsch has overseen new roofs on all the buildings, new carpeting, refrigeration and furniture.

“I hope to see the retreat house continue for 100 years as a retreat for Christians and Catholics to retire from the world for a short period of time,” Bartsch said.

Bartsch is a native of Louisville, Ky. He professed solemn vows in the Franciscan order on Sept. 4, 1971. He was ordained as a priest on May 24, 1975.

The reception will begin with a prayer service in the chapel at 2 p.m.

For more information, call the retreat house at (952) 447-2182.

 Shawn Hogendorf can be reached at (952) 345-6374 or shogendorf@swpub.com.