Pilgrim Cluster altar servers enjoy boat rides at Okoboji

By KENNY KEANE, Globe staff reporter
July 31, 2003

ALTON/HOSPERS/GRANVILLE - The Gospel reading on July 23 came from Matthew, chapter 13, which said, "That same day Jesus went out and sat by the lakeside, where so many people gathered round him that he had to get into a boat."

So it may seem fitting that on that same day, Father John Vakulskas got in a boat at Lake Okoboji to give rides to the altar servers from the Pilgrim Cluster as part of an annual outing.

"We were at Emerson Beach at West Lake Okoboji," said Father Vakulskas, pastor at Alton St. Mary's and Hospers St. Anthony's, which form the Pilgrim Cluster along with Granville St. Joseph's. "I don't think people realize all of this stuff is free - like Emerson Beach. The swimming is free, and the picnicking is free. So we take advantage of that, and I gave them boat rides.

"I've been doing this for 30 years. I've always had Mass servers out for an outing - like picnicking, swimming and things like that. Doing things with our young people and letting them know that their stewardship at the altar is appreciated, I think will leave a lasting impression on them."

Following the boat rides, the servers swam, caught frogs, made frog moats in the sand and had lunch.

Amy Stoll, a sixth-grade altar server from St. Mary's, said it was fun getting to know everyone else who served in the other parishes.

"When you don't go to that parish, you don't get to see who serves," she said. "I think it's really neat that he (Father Vakulskas) got us all together to go out and have fun with each other."

Teresa McCarty was one of five adult chaperones for the day. She said it is good for the kids to see a priest in a different role other than just at church - to see that they have lives and have fun.

"I just think it's a really neat thing that Father John acknowledges and thanks the servers for their work," she said. "We appreciate that as parents as well. I just thought it was a fun day. The weather was perfect, and it was fun to interact with some of the other chaperones.

"It's just one more fun activity for the kids to experience in our parish life. It was a really good mixer because there were children from fourth grade up to high school, and they were able to interact, have fun together and just enjoy one another."

According to Riley Full, another St. Mary's altar server, the frogs were a big part of the fun.

"There was this little creek by the lake, and there were a bunch of frogs in there," he said. "We were catching those. We dug a little pit in the sand, filled it with water and let the frogs hop around in there."

His sister Emily, who also serves at the Alton parish, said they got along really well with the servers from the other parishes.

"I think it's important because all these servers can serve God at church but still have fun with all the other servers from different churches," she said. "I thought it was fun because we got to spend time with people from different age groups - from different classes - and we all got to have fun together."

Not only was it a day for fun, but Father Vakulskas said it also serves another purpose.

"A priest needs to be with his people," he said. "This not only promotes the fact that the church cares about all of its people and the church as a parish family, but it also promotes vocations in my opinion. Vocations need to be promoted."