'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 an...