Holy Cross Catholic Church and Father Russell Homic hosted a celebration in honor of Father Roger Geditz's 50th anniversary as a priest on Sunday, June 2, 2019.

Father Roger Geditz, the son of the late Josephine and Peter Geditz Jr., was ordained a Catholic priest on May 29, 1969 at Holy Cross by Bishop Lambert Hoke. He served many parishes in the Sioux Falls Diocese including Sacred Heart in Aberdeen, Saint Lambert's in Sioux Falls, Christ the King in Sioux Falls, Saint Anthony's in Selby, St. John Debritto in Britton, Saint Anthony's in Hecla, Saint Peter the Apostle in Platte, Saint Joseph's in Orient, Saint Liborius in Polo, Saint Ann's in Humboldt, Saint Patrick's in Montrose, Immaculate Conception in Watertown, Saint Bernard's in Redfield and Saint Ann's in Frankfort.

Father Geditz retired in 2003 and moved to Geddes where he currently resides. Since his retirement Father Geditz has served over 130 parishes on a temporary basis including mission trips to Alaska.

Father Geditz concelebrated mass on Sunday, June 2 with 11 fellow priests and deacons. Former parishioners, friends and relatives filled Holy Cross church for the celebration mass. Many of Father Geditz's relatives participated in the mass including great-nephew's Zachary Geditz and Maxwell Geditz as altar servers along with Bill Morgan. Mary Kay (Gerald) Geditz was lector. Bob Geditz Jr., Brian Geditz, David Geditz and Dr. Nathan Kadlec served as ushers. Shane and Melissa Geditz and Reagan of Faulkton served as greeters. Jerome Geditz, brother of Father Geditz, led the Holy Cross choir with Sandy Thares of Otsego, Minn. as organist and Jeff Thares, of Denver, Colo. as soloist. Dr. Terry and Tasha Seyer and family of Milbank presented offertory gifts.

A reception was held following mass in the Father Bormann Hall where 350 guests enjoyed a meal catered by Ken's FoodFair in Aberdeen and served by Father Geditz's siblings: Judy and Marv Seyer, Deloris Thares, Karen Geditz, Jerome and Pat Geditz, Marie Enstice of Burlington, Ky., Susan Klang of Rosemount, Minn., Jeanne Bieber of Bowdle, family friends and nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

Eleven of Father Geditz's 12 living siblings were in attendance. Those not previously mentioned include Bob Geditz, Gerald Geditz, Ray Geditz and Bernard (Mike) Geditz. Patty and Len Schweitzer of Reno, Nev., who were unable to attend, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2. They were the first couple married by Father Geditz. Jimmy Geditz, the 14th sibling, passed away July 3, 2018. His wife, Marion, attended the celebration.

submitted by Julie (Seyer) Doyle, Raleigh, N.C.