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Little Flower youth, parishioners present ‘Living Stations of the Cross’

By Sue Sitter - | Apr 30, 2022

Sue Sitter/PCT The young cast of actors in Little Flower Church’s “The Living Stations of the Cross” pose for a group photo after their performance.

A Good Friday snowstorm postponed a performance of “The Living Stations of the Cross” at Rugby’s St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, but the play’s young actors said they felt happy about how their presentation turned out on April 20.

Family, friends, parishioners, and guests filled the church on Wednesday evening after Good Friday, when the elementary and high school-age students in the parish traditionally present a dramatic interpretation of the Stations of the Cross.

“The Stations of the Cross” is the name given by Catholic and other Christian churches to describe the steps Christ took on his way to his crucifixion and resurrection from the dead. The stations’ story is usually told through visual portrayals such as artwork.

Ethan Brossart, Kiara Larson, Thatcher Volk, and Amber Selensky said the stations send an important message to Christians any time of the year. The four actors are seniors at Rugby High School.

“We always have to be reminded of the story of Jesus,” said Selensky, who read meditations for the audience. “We see the crucifixion – we see him on the cross all the time, but that doesn’t compare to actually knowing the story.

“So, I feel it’s good to remind ourselves every once in a while, about what he actually went through instead of just looking at the crucifix,” she added.

Brossart said the students volunteered to play their roles. He played the central character in the play, Jesus Christ.

“We only had one day of actual practice. We went over this for three or four hours,” he said, adding he was pleased at how smoothly the presentation went.

Larson, who played Mary, the Mother of Jesus, said acting out each station helped build the students’ faith and understanding of the meaning of Easter.

“I think it helps to get in the mindset of it, too, because you are acting, so you’re even getting into the facial expressions,” she said. “It does bring up a lot of emotions. You see people crying in the crowd, too.”

Larson said the young actors begin participating in the Living Stations as religion students, sometimes at the elementary school level. She said acting in the play year after year helps their performances go smoothly as well.

“We start out in seventh grade, usually,” she said. “We see it put on each year. We kind of just know it by the time we’re seniors.”

“It’s a way of serving the community as well,” Volk, who played Simon of Cyrene said. “We thank them for coming and supporting us.”

The students acted out each station at the sanctuary, with each scene lighted, followed by music, prayers and meditations as the lights dimmed.

At the end of the performance, Jacinta Schmaltz, production coordinator and a member of the choir, said, “It struck me when they were doing practice the Sunday before last that we’ve had three generations in our family (involved in ‘The Living Stations of the Cross’).”

“This year, we have four generations. My parents used to help my kids out. My daughter’s down there and I have a granddaughter down there,” Schmaltz said of the production, which she said has been a tradition for 22 years at Little Flower Parish.

Schmaltz’s granddaughter, Aubrie, played a weeping girl in the performance.

“And our religious ed. coordinator tells us every year the kids are always excited about this program and they ask every year if they’re going to do this,” she added.

“So, hats off to these kids for putting in the time to practice and their dedication to this. I just love working with them every year,” she said. “Please give them a round of applause.”

Other adult parishioners gave their talents to the presentation as well. Luke Schlag portrayed the voice of Jesus. Choir members were Schmaltz, Amber Feickert, Lexi Rusch, Mary Schmaltz, Schlag, and James Maertens. Brad Wangler, Richard Bischoff, Steve Eckart, and Susan Waldoch accompanied songs on their guitars.

Rhonda Livedalen and Lisa Volk coordinated the production backstage. Nathan Livedalen coordinated practices, Jim and Dorice Duchscherer operated the stage lights, and Sister Mary Ruth Huhn assisted with spiritual matters and photography. Rebecca Leier served as production and wardrobe assistant.

Other student participants were Joey Wolf, who played Veronica; Mikaylee Livedalen, who played Mary Magdalen; Andrew Duchscher, who played a Roman soldier; Maddex Kirchofner, who played John the Apostle; Aidan Clements, who played a Roman soldier; Carter Teigen, who played Pontius Pilate; Mauvlyn Kirchofner, who played a servant girl; and Maddie Hurly, who played Mary of Cleophus.

Students Ali Blessum and Paisley Wangler played women in the crowd, while Bria Brossart, Miryilyn Migler, Royanne Livedalen, Beth Schmaltz, Mariann Kraft, Tressa Arnston, and Jesse Wolf played weeping women. Clare Livedalen and Aubrie Schmaltz played weeping girls, while Pius Wangler and Pen Wangler played weeping boys.

Students Mya McNeff, Allison Selensky, Tambrey Brossart, and Amber Houim sang in the choir.