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Rich Harter named director of Saint Clare Center for Ministry and Leadership

Rich Harter

February 15, 2022

Rich Harter has joined the Cardinal Stritch University family as director of the Saint Clare Center for Ministry and Leadership.

Harter had worked in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee central offices since 2012 in the areas of missionary planning and leadership and evangelization. He also spent 25 years in parish leadership roles. He also taught theology at Pius XI (Milwaukee) and St. Joseph (Kenosha) high schools.

“I am very excited about joining the Cardinal Stritch University community where the values of St. Francis and St. Clare are palpable!" said Harter. "Imbued with this Franciscan spirit, the Saint Clare Center will provide lay ministry formation, gather lay leaders in prayer and build a community of Catholics aspiring to connect deep prayer with faith lived in daily life.”

The Saint Clare Center provides education and formation for lay Catholics who seek to grow in faith and lead in ministry. The Center's many collaborative relationships with and within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee help provide formation to more than 2,000 lay Catholics annually in two languages through a variety of programs. Intellectual, human, pastoral and spiritual formation are based on "Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord," a 2005 statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops which guides the development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry.

One of Harter's key roles with the Saint Clare Center will be to strengthen the University's relationship with the Catholic community, particularly those who serve in archdiocesan parishes and schools. He has taught in the Center's Saturday Institute for Lay Ministry and Sustaining the Mission programs. He also has provided a wide variety of training for diocesan priests and parish leaders across the Midwest. Additionally, he has led parish retreats and days of reflection.

Harter holds a bachelor's degree in religious education from St. John's University (Minn.) and a master of theological studies degree from St. Francis de Sales Seminary.