Fayetteville, Ellinger Help Hostyn Church

Father Steve Sauser of the Fayetteville and Ellinger Catholic Churches, right, and the church’s Vacation Bible School coordinator Theresa Keilers, left, presents a check to Hostyn priest, Father Felix Twumasi, center, from money donated by the kids who attended this summer’s VBS. From loose change, the kids raised more than $817.30 to help Hostyn rebuild their church. Father Steve and his church has also been instrumental is helping Hostyn in other ways, donating numerous religious items to help the church continue to have Mass after so much was destroyed in the June 9 explosion.

“I started looking around our church to see what we had, and we were able to give them books for the readings, extra robes and vestments, altar server robes, a tabernacle. We took what we could so they could have everything they needed to be able to continue to have Mass,” Father Steve said. “I knew that was very important for that community to stay together. We even were able to give them extra communion hosts and wine. It was just one less thing for them to worry about.”

And that’s not all. Both the Fayetteville and Ellinger parishes (which Father Steve oversees) will be donating a portion of profits from their next festivals to Hostyn. Father Steve said he actually borrowed that idea from Hostyn, which for years has donated a portion of their festival profits to a local group in need.