St. Katharine Drexel’s Bonfire Blessing
by Kim Haiar

To quote Suzie Rierson, “This beginning would truly be a fire set ablaze in their hearts.  This day of excitement would be with them forever.”  This statement truly exemplifies the spirit of the parishioners of St. Katharine Drexel in attendance at the “Blessing of the Land Bonfire.”

The weather was very cold, but the warmth exuding from the church community was felt throughout the circle of friends.  A beautiful fire ring was donated by Wheeler Tank that will allow us to make this an annual event.  The band and choirs of St. Katharine Drexel Parish rang out, and Fr. Joe Vogel was eloquent as always.  The theme for the day was “Come Bless Our Land.”  I think we all left the gathering with a blessing in our hearts as well after having blessed our own boundaries and the land of our neighbors. 

Kathy Anderson spoke beautifully to each of us about her own sense of church and community.  I think she touched us all and “sparked” us to extend ourselves to reach out to others in our parish family we have not yet met. 

Several volunteers from our parish donated goodies to enjoy, and Kim Haiar, our Field Rep with the Catholic Aid Association sponsored and served the hot chocolate.  The Knights of Columbus did a great job directing traffic.  Monty Miller provided and laminated the aerial view of our building site, and he, along with Tony and Kathy Anderson, donated their time staking out the boundary lines of our property.  The Gerads and Bones families donated flatbeds for the band and choir use, and Mike Runge provided the generator and the water truck.  Jim and Susie Lammers donated firewood and helped to construct the fire, while several others were on hand to volunteer taking photos and cleaning up after the gathering ended.  It was such a wonderful group effort, bringing the entire parish closer together.

Those in attendance could feel a special sense of church, standing on the future site of St. Katharine Drexel Parish.  We should all feel a sense of unity and ownership, taking on the responsibility of building the church with brick and mortar, as well as other people.  As Pope Leo XII said to St. Katharine Drexel prior to her becoming a nun, “Why not, my child, yourself become a missionary?” We too should take those words to heart.  We should each be a missionary for our God and His church.  We have blessed our land.  Now it’s time to become a further blessing to our Lord.