The Rev. Stephen Kranz, best known as Father Steve, gave his last sermon at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Mandaree June 24. Kranz, with the Order of Saint Benedict, is retiring after nearly 41 years of service to the Fort Berthold Reservation. He also is a weekly contributor with his meditations to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Times, the tribal newspaper, and will continue.
A community celebration was held for him June 3 at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge Event Center, west of New Town. Kranz's parishioners and others are giving him a farewell gift of a sabbatical to Rome where he will attend the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha as the first American Indian saint in the Catholic Church.
Delphine Baker, a spokeswoman for the fundraising group, said they have raised $10,000 and hope to raise up to $14,000. Donations can be sent to The Rev. Roger Synek, Box 715, New Town, ND 58763.
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Rev. Steven Kranz
A group from Fort Berthold will be accompanying Kranz on the trip to Rome and he will return later. Kranz will spend his retirement at Assumption Abbey in Richardton.
Eloise Ogden