A Night of Saints, Stories, and Sweet Treats

Hallowed Hayride & Trunk-or-Treat 2026

St. Mary’s Hallowed Hayride and Trunk or Treat on October 24 brought families together for an evening that was both joyful and deeply moving. With beautiful weather, a wonderful turnout, and plenty of Halloween fun, the event offered something unique: a chance to celebrate with our community while remembering the courageous witnesses to the Catholic faith who came before us.

Throughout the candle-lit cemetery, four groups brought the stories of Catholic martyrs to life through dramatic skits. Under the moonlight, surrounded by the graves of those who had gone before us, we encountered the powerful stories of men, women, and children who remained faithful even in the face of persecution and death.

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Our Men’s Group portrayed St. Óscar Romero, the Salvadoran archbishop who gave his life defending the poor and speaking out against injustice. Seminarians from the Pontifical College Josephinum, including our own parishioner, Zachary, presented the story of Blessed Stanley Rother, the Oklahoma priest who served the people of Guatemala and was martyred for his faith. Our homeschool children shared the heartbreaking story of the Ulma family, while our school’s eighth graders portrayed St. Joan of Arc, the young French heroine who remained steadfast in her faith and mission.

The Ulma family’s story was especially sobering. On March 24, 1944, Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their seven children, including an infant, were executed by Nazi German forces for sheltering eight Jewish people during the Holocaust. Their witness reminds us of the extraordinary courage it can take to protect human life and do what is right, even at the cost of everything.

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Although the evening included the fun and excitement of Halloween, the skits offered a powerful reminder that the saints were real people who lived their faith in extraordinary circumstances. Experiencing their stories in the quiet of our own cemetery, beneath the moonlight and among the graves, made the evening especially memorable—a uniquely Catholic way to celebrate the season by remembering the faithful departed and the saints who inspire us.

Meanwhile, the Trunk or Treat brought plenty of smiles to our youngest attendees and their families! Thirteen families decorated their trunks and handed out candy to an estimated 140–150 children, creating a festive atmosphere filled with treats, creativity, and community spirit. The Knights of Columbus kept everyone fed with freshly roasted hot dogs.

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The evening also provided an opportunity to care for our neighbors in need. Parishioners and school families donated eight garbage bags of clothing and cold-weather supplies for Mission Warmth. The Mission Warmth truck was on hand during the event to collect additional donations, including several more coats. These generous contributions will help provide warmth and practical support to members of our community experiencing homelessness.

Thank you to SPO, the Knights of Columbus, all four groups of performers, the 13 trunk-decorating families, everyone who donated to Mission Warmth, and all who helped make the event possible. We are grateful to everyone who shared their time, talents, and generosity to create such a memorable night at St. Mary’s!

May the courage of the saints and martyrs continue to inspire us to live our faith boldly and serve our neighbors with compassion.