Outdoor Stations of the Cross at St. Vincent

Intermountain Catholic

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HOLLADAY — The Prayer Garden at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School has benefited from a donation that led to the construction of a beautiful path for the Stations of the Cross.

Linda and Chris Oberle, parishioners of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, made the donation. Their children are alumni of the school.

While the Oberles were remodeling their house, the groundkeeper at Saint Vincent happened to pass and stopped to talk with Chris, a long-time friend.

"We had between 15 and 20 pallets of rocks sitting outside my house and I asked him if he wanted them, because I was looking for a home for them," Oberle said, adding that both Monsignor Francis Mannion, the church’s pastor, and Mark Longe, the school principal, mentioned that the rock could be used in the hill as a path for the school’s Stations of the Cross.

The day that they were dropping off the rock, Oberle started to think to himself that that was a lot of work and, having a contractor already working at his house, he offered his labor so he could help with the path for the Stations. And that’s how it started.

"It turned out to be a pretty neat project," said Oberle.

The path between the Stations winds up the hillside from the school’s lower field to the upper prayer garden. Students, parishioners and visitors can start on the lower field and follow the 14 outdoor stone stations, which were donated by Hansen Quality Stone. Each station is engraved and depicts the final hours, or Passion, of Jesus. An archway marks the path’s entry way and a large cross stands at the end.

The finishing touches of shrubs and greenery are being planted along the pathway and should be in full bloom come spring. This pathway is meant as a place for prayer and reflection for all parishioners, students, teachers, families and anyone who wants to visit it.

"It’s been very rewarding to see the whole project coming together, especially knowing what that hill that was – overgrown bushes and trees and plants all over. To see it now is just unbelievable," said Oberle.

"Saint Vincent’s thanks the Oberle family and all the other donors for their generous contribution," said Carol Barman, St. Vincent development director.

"God works in mysterious ways," Longe said. "We count our blessings every day."