Holy Cross prepares for Exaltation
By GAYLE WEBER
PFEIFER -- One of two Masses celebrated each year at Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer is scheduled for Sunday.
The Exaltation of the Cross Feast Day will be observed with the Mass at 3 p.m. Sunday. Father Reginald Sander, O.S.B., a Pfeifer native, will return to offer the Mass as he has done for the last few years.
"It's very special, especially since it's such a beautiful place," Sander said.
Holy Cross Church closed in 1993 but has been afforded the opportunity to host two Masses each year in addition to hosting funerals and weddings. The first Mass of the year is on or about May 3, in observance of the dedication of the church May 3, 1918, according to church caretaker Carol Billinger.
"(It's) a time to remember the dedication and the people who built it," Billinger said.
The second Mass of the year coincides with the Exaltation of the Cross since the church is dedicated to the Holy Cross, Billinger said.
Many Pfeifer natives return, including some Sander remembers going to school with at Holy Cross school.
"We do get a pretty good crowd," Billinger said.
Although there's nothing about the Mass that would differ from any other, Billinger said it's always special to be able to attend a church service in the church in which she grew up.
Also Sunday, Sander, pastor at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Tarkio, Mo., will bless seed wheat for farmers.
Sander said he usually takes his vacation time in order to come back to visit the area and conduct the Mass.
"Born and raised there in Pfeifer, I'm very pleased to say," Sander said.