Conrad L. Kraus

The Reverend Monsignor Conrad L. Kraus The Reverend Monsignor Conrad L. Kraus, 76, died suddenly on Tuesday, May 13, 2009 in Collegeville, Minn. where he was participating in a sabbatical study program. Born April 29, 1933 in Erie, he was the son of the late Leonard J. and Adele Shelton Kraus. He attended Sacred Heart grade school and was a 1951 graduate of Cathedral Prep. He studied at Gannon College from 1951 to 1953 and at the University of Detroit from 1953 to 1956, where he earned a B.S. degree in Architecture. He studied at the School of St. Philip Neri in Boston from 1962 to 1963, completing his seminary studies at St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore from 1963 to 1967. Following ordination, he later continued his studies at Carnegie Mellon University, at Fordham University, and at the Catholic University of America. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. He was ordained as a priest on May 27, 1967 at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie by the Most Reverend John F. Whealon, Bishop of Erie. His home parish was Sacred Heart Parish, Erie. In 2000 Pope John Paul named him a Prelate of Honor with the title Monsignor. From his ordination in 1967 until 1969, Monsignor Kraus served as an assistant pastor at St. Andrew parish in Erie. He was then assigned as assistant at St. Brigid parish in Meadville until 1972 where he also served as Catholic campus minister at Allegheny College. From 1972 to 1974 he served as Campus Ministry at Villa Maria College in Erie while residing at Sacred Heart parish. From 1974 to 1975 he was assigned to studies at Fordham University, where he earned an M.A. degree in Religious Education. In 1975 he was appointed as assistant pastor at St. Patrick parish in Erie and in 1977 at St. Joseph parish in Sharon. From 1978 to 1983 he served as assistant at St. John the Baptist parish in Erie. In 1983 he was appointed by Bishop Murphy to serve as Director of the Diocesan Office of Worship, a position he held for 25 years until his retirement in 2008. During those years, he resided at St. Peter Cathedral from 1983 to 1989, briefly at St. John the Baptist, and then was appointed Parish Administrator at St. Anthony parish in Cambridge Springs from 1989 to 1992. Following a return from sabbatical studies, he then resided at St. John parish in Girard from 1993 to 2001, at which time he was appointed pastor of St. Michael parish in Emlenton, all the while continuing as Director of the Office of Worship. He retired in May of 2008. He also served for many years on the FDLC (Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Consultants) and was nationally recognized for his understanding of Liturgical Celebrations. Msgr. Kraus was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Kraus and sisters Susan Kraus and Louise Whiteman; and brothers-in-law Bill Spiegel and Art Whiteman. He is survived by his sister, Kathleen Spiegel: Mary Lou (Richard) Foran), Bob (Cathy) Rob, Erica Spiegel, Ruth (Thomas) Gray, JoAnne (Kate, Chelsea) Spiegel; Whiteman Children: Virginia Borkowski (Ron, Elizabeth), Charlotte (Larry) Neizmik, ArtE. (Mary, Ken, Nick, Beau, Zack) Whiteman, Anita (Jennifer, Michael) Morgan and Leonard (Natalie, Emma) Whiteman. Howard (Marcia, Daniel Conrad, Amy (Hannah, William) KrausFerris, Howard aka:Corky (Beth) Kraus, Ann aka:Winky (Bob, Sadie, L.Conrad) Kurtzman and Thomas (Joan, Stefan, Jason (Molly), Ellie Kraus and Jolie (Tony) Gordon. Friends may call on Tuesday, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mount St. Benedict, 6101 East Lake Rd and on Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, 816 West 26th St. from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Donald Trautman, officiating. Conrad volunteered his time and talent to the Emmaus Ministries, particularly in volunteering at the Soup Kitchen and his annual Valentine Making Project with the students at the Neighborhood Art House. His final endeavor was a program/project on the work of theNovy Dvur Trappist Monestery in the Czech Republic. Memorial contributions would be gratefully appreciated to the charity of your choice. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Francis V. Kloecker Funeral Home, Inc. 2202 Sassafras Street, Erie PA. 16502. Send condolence to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits