St. Paul Church and School in Pocahontas dedicated a new soccer field and sand volleyball court in a field owned by the church near the school.
“It’s right here on the church grounds and it’s close to the school, so I know it will be used a lot,” said Ronnie Rose, St. Paul pastoral associate.
The field is behind the church’s old convent building and was previously used for “Pee Wee” football practice. They had also tried to use part of it for a garden tended by students, but the weather never cooperated.
Pastor Father Athanasius Okeiyi, who is from Nigeria, is “keen on soccer,” Rose said.
While talking with Sister Laura Cathcart, OSB, youth director and director of religious education, Father Okeiyi told her that he wished the church had a place for parishioners to come together for activities and recreation.
And the soccer field project got underway.
Sister Laura asked the Knights of Columbus to help fund the project, and they said they’d take on the project themselves. They asked the youth to design and make a sign dedicating the field to Father Okeiyi, as a surprise for their pastor.
“This helped us build a common bond there between the youth and adults in the parish. It was a project for the parish as a whole and brought us together,” Rose said.
Father Okeiyi knew about the soccer field project, but not who the field was dedicated to.
When it came time for Father Okeiyi to bless the field, they unveiled the sign that the students in the parish and school designed and painted, dedicating the soccer field to him.
“When they unveiled the sign, Father had the biggest grin you’ve ever seen on his face. It showed our support for Father. He’s miles and miles from home and this brings a piece of that closer. And as a community, we can come together as a church family through this also,” Rose said.
On dedication day Oct. 30, Father Okeiyi played soccer with some of the youth, teaching many of them how to play the game. The church also had a hot dog and chili supper followed by a bonfire.
“It was a whole parish project — from the Knights of Columbus, parishioners, CYM, the school,” Sister Laura said. “It will be real neat for the parish as a whole to come and enjoy this from now on.”
Dalton Woods, one of the youth leaders, invited parishioners to the dedication on a Sunday when Father Okeiyi was away.
“The parish gave him a round of applause after he spoke. He was excited and nervous about it. What a neat gift to be able to invite the parish and have them respond like they did. It was special,” Sister Laura said.
The project took several months to complete, although some of that time was waiting for the ground to stabilize after the floods and weather, Rose said.
The project cost the church nothing, Rose said, because all of the materials were donated by the Knights of Columbus and parishioners, including paint to mark the field, sand for the volleyball court and labor. The school also had soccer goals that were donated to them.
The pastor gave the third-grade class lessons at recess and Sister Laura said the students had “an absolute ball.” Rose also mentioned the outing and said the students wanted to do it again the next day.
The area is a valuable resource for the parish and school, Rose said.
While the weather has turned colder, the soccer field and volleyball court will be there when the weather is more suitable to outside activities.
“When spring comes around, it will be fun to see them use it more often. This was a unifying event for the parish,” Sister Laura said, “and it will continue to unite us in the future as we enjoy the fruits of this project.”
