Okarche Parish Plans Mass, Remembrance of Beloved Son Father Stanley Rother

OKARCHE — Dozens of parishioners at Holy Trinity Church have been busy for the past six months planning the July 19th Mass and dinner that will honor the 25th anniversary of the martyrdom of Father Stanley Francis Rother.

Deacon Max Schwarz said planning for the special day started last January. He said parish committees have been meeting regularly in preparation for the celebration of the life of Father Rother, a native of Okarche. The mission priest from Oklahoma died at the hands of a Guatemalan death squad on July 28, 1981. He was shot to death inside the rectory at the parish in Santiago Atitlan. Even though he knew his life was in danger, Father Rother chose to stay with the people he had ministered to in Santiago Atitlan since arriving there in 1968.

Archbishop Beltran will celebrate the 6 p.m. Mass at Holy Trinity on July 19. Deacon Schwarz said more than a dozen priests have indicated they will attend and will con-celebrate the Mass. Sister Marita Rother, ASC, and Tom Rother, siblings of Father Rother, will serve as lectors at the Mass.

A number of Catholic organizations will have representatives at the Mass and the dinner that will follow. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters have indicated they will be present. Also, nuns who once taught at Holy Trinity School are expected and Schwarz said five pews would be set-aside at Mass for the Rother family.

“We’ve got committee working on everything from invitations to liturgy to who will cater the dinner after Mass,” Deacon Schwarz said. He said musical entertainment would be provided at the dinner, as well. Other Holy Trinity parishioners will assist with parking and the setting up of displays that will highlight the life of Father Rother.

Catholics are invited to return to Okarche on July 30 when a 3 p.m. memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Cemetery at the site of Father Rother’s grave. Archbishop Beltran will preside at this service.