Troy student places first in national contest

So wrote 15-year-old Halley Sutherland, a student at Catholic Central High School in Troy, and her words won a first prize in a nationwide essay contest sponsored by the Propagation of the Faith.

Halley was describing a Maryknoll priest who grew up in Troy and was a missionary in the town of Montero, Bolivia. Her essay was selected from among hundreds received at the national office of the Propagation of the Faith. Students were asked to write about a missionary and how he or she made a difference in the student's life.

In announcing the winners, Father John E. Kozar, national director of the Propagation of the Faith, noted, "Missionaries were the heroes of my youth, lighting the fire of my own great love for the Church's mission. How wonderful to read what these young people today have to say about the inspiration their missionary heroes are to them."

Here are portions of Halley's essay:

"I'd like to tell you about the life of Father William C. Kruegler, MM. He was ordained at Maryknoll, New York, in June of 1957. He was assigned to Bolivia. He spent three years as a missioner in the parish of Cotoca, Santa Cruz, and became close with many of the parishioners. Father Bill was an extremely generous man. He gave all he possibly could to those in need wherever he went.

"Father Bill's second assignment involved the parish of Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The first year he was there, he worked with parishioners who lived at the far edges of the parish. His second year in this parish, and last year on Earth, he was stationed in the town of Montero. He taught in the parochial and public high schools, attended to his duties as a priest, and still found time to make friends with people in town.

"Everyone seemed to like his uplifting spirit and kind words. Almost everyone at least. Father Bill came across a problem near the rectory. A local tavern, which was open until early morning, was unlicensed and allowed young children inside until late at night.

"Father Bill had always loved children and worried about their safety at this tavern at such hours. He asked the owner to close, but to no avail. Public officials became involved a few weeks later and told the owner, Mario Saravia, that he needed to stop selling alcoholic drinks without a license.

"On August 7, 1962, Father Bill returned to the rectory from a reception held in his honor where he received a certificate of recognition for his dedicated labor throughout the community of Montero.

"As he entered the rectory, Mario Saravia came up to him. He asked Father Bill what time the Rosary was going to be said. Father Bill told him the time, and then Mr. Saravia pulled out a gun and shot at Father five times; four of the bullets hit him. Father Bill's last rites were administered by the parish pastor and then he was rushed to the hospital. He died by the time they arrived there.

"Many people asked, 'Why would anyone want to kill Father Bill?' He was such a loving and compassionate person, and wouldn't want to hurt anyone. However, maybe Father Bill's time on Earth was complete in God's eyes. He accomplished so much in his short lifetime, especially in the five years he spent as a missionary in South America. He helped a number of people personally and changed their view of God and the world for the better, and isn't that our ultimate goal in this lifetime?"

(For more about missions, turn to pages 15-18.)

(10-18-01) [[In-content Ad]]