More than 900 people visited the Mark and Shelley Czech farm in rural Gilman Aug. 21 for the annual Rural Life Celebration. The event — which included outdoor Mass with Bishop Donald Kettler, lunch, farm tours and live music — was hosted by Sts. Peter and Paul, Gilman; St. Elizabeth, Brennyville, and St. Joseph, Morrill. Catholic Charities, The Catholic Foundation and the Diocese of St. Cloud were co-sponsors. Father Gregory Mastey, a current board member of the national Catholic Rural Life organization, was the event’s guest speaker. A special collection brought in $2,304 for the Rural Life Fund, an emergency fund for rural individuals and families experiencing financial hardship developed by Catholic Charities and the diocese.
Mass on the Czech farm.
