New Seneca pastor restores hope, after death of predecessor

SENECA (KSNT) – On April 3, Father Arul Carasala was shot; just later that evening, Father Joel Haug stepped in and led services.

A few months later, he became the church’s permanent pastor. Since then, he has played a major part in keeping the community strong.

“Being able to be there in the time for us when you know you just kind of like what happened. He’s brought hope back to our parish community, and he’s definitely brought the holy spirit,” Church Member, Terilynne Haverkamp said. “You know you can feel the fire and the spirit come in, because I think a lot of us were pretty broke when we lost Father Arul.”

The church has a memorial set up on the front lawn, on the spot where Father Arul was shot.
Church members made t-shirts, rosaries, and even organized a 5k in his honor.

Father Haug says the loss of Father Arul has brought the church closer to God.

“The best way we can honor someone’s memory is by embodying in ourselves that which was most important to them. And he gave up his life for the faith,” Pastor, Joel Haug said. “So how important it is for us to make a recommitment of ourselves to Jesus, regardless of where we find ourselves in our relationship with him and the church, to come back to prayer, to come back to church, to get into the word of god.”

Father Joel says there will be more events to celebrate and remember Father Arul, and the community will continue coming together through prayer.

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