TRENTON (SNR) – Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) students from St. James Parish in Trenton traveled to one of two “mission” parishes served by pastor Father Christopher Miller Oct. 27, as a religious education field trip.
Sister Rochelle Kerkhof, director of youth ministry for the nine parishes of the Grant Deanery, coordinated the event. The group traveled to Holy Family Parish and Mihm Hall in Palisade.
Kerkhof said Holy Family parishioners “welcomed students to a delicious, homemade meal,” followed by an informative program outlining the history of Holy Family Church. The church was dedicated April 22, 1917, and Mihm Hall was built in 2013. Mihm Hall serves as a gathering space for village and parish functions, as well as religious education classes, and as a reception area for sacramental celebrations.
Interior photos of the church’s previous physical appearance and structure demonstrated the renovation to the students. In 2017, Holy Family Church had a complete structural renovation and facelift in preparation for its 100th centennial celebration.
The tour pointed out two unique facts about the church – one, that a local Methodist businessperson paid for the building of the original Church. Many of the man’s employees were Catholic and he wanted them to stay in the area. Also, Holy Family Church has the distinction of being the smallest Catholic church in the Diocese of Lincoln, of more than 130 church buildings.
At the conclusion of this visit, Sister Rochelle said the students called the church “innovative” with great craftsmanship, and remarked how churches learn to work within their resources.
She said the overall theme for the CYO year is “How do Catholics Worship and Why?”
“The goal of this study is that students gain a sense of the value of religious faith worship and practices,” she explained, “carrying them into their adult life forever.”
