A farewell reception for Father Ken Bartsch, the former director of Franciscan Retreats, will be held on Sept. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Franciscan Retreats, 16385 St. Francis Lane in Prior Lake.

Bartsch served as a guardian and retreat director of Franciscan Retreats for nearly 10 years. Bartsch also served as Chaplain for the Father John Deere Council 4914 of the Knights of Columbus as well as assisted in pastoral ministry at various area churches.

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 contact the Retreat House by phone at (952) 447-2182.

Look for a feature story about Bartsch online later this week and in the Sept. 29 print edition of the Prior Lake American.