by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
WILLIAMSBURG — Prairie Star Ranch and its associated camps here have been praised by many as something special.
But as co-founders and co-directors Deacon Dana Nearmyer and Deborah Nearmyer often point out, it takes special people to make a special place and programs work.
That’s why a few people were recognized with the Echo of Kateri award at a special Mass each year.
“The Echo of Kateri award is given by Camp Tekakwitha to people who have made substantial contributions to the archdiocese in the areas of youth ministry, including the summer camps,” said Deacon Nearmyer.
This year, the award was given to three couples and two priests just before the outdoor closing Mass of the final camp session on July 28 at the ranch. The main celebrant and homilist for the Mass was Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann; Father Dan Morris concelebrated.
Receiving the glass, flame-shaped award were Elizabeth and Pablo Aguayo from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Shawnee; Ray and Paula (posthumously) Fushimi from the Church of the Nativity in Leawood; Tom and Becki Racunas from the Church of the Nativity; Father Brian Schieber of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood; and archdiocesan vocation director Father Dan Morris.
Ray and Paula Fushimi
The Nearmyers have a special connection to Ray and Paula Fushimi. The Fushimis are Deborah’s parents and Deacon Nearmyer’s in-laws.
The Fushimis helped get the Church of the Nativity built and youth ministry started at their parish, said Deacon Nearmyer. They supported the archdiocesan summer camps from the start when the first camps were held at Kansas State Grange Center at Lake Perry. Paula, who died on Aug. 7, 2023, helped launch Camp Tekakwitha Family Camp. She also helped build a vacation Bible school program that her granddaughters help run.
Tom and Becki Racunas
Tom and Becki Racunas, who have three grown daughters, helped bring Engaged Encounter to the Diocese of Wichita in 1977, and, professionally, Tom had a long career teaching students with disabilities. He was also an adjunct professor of special education at Wichita State University. After he retired from public education in 2010, he became director of ministry for persons with disabilities for the Diocese of Wichita. He also began the Holy Family Camp for people with disabilities there.
Father Gary Pennings invited Tom to come to the archdiocese to open a special-needs office at the archdiocesan level. His list of accomplishments and activities is lengthy, but among them are starting a respite care program for caregivers; founding a Family Camp at Prairie Star Ranch; launching a training and catechesis program to serve students with disabilities at the camps; and collaborating with Pam Riordan, archdiocesan consultant for children’s catechesis, providing the Totus Tuus program to people with cognitive disabilities.
“Prairie Star Ranch and Camp Tekakwitha is an extension of the church,” said Tom. “It’s a medium for catechesis and faith formation. The church should be all-inclusive. When I first started talking to Deacon Nearmyer and [ranch director] Greg Wellnitz about a special needs camp . . . there were some reservations about meeting the needs of kids with special needs in this environment. But where there’s a will, there’s a way.
“Supporting Camp Tekakwitha and Prairie Star Ranch is an opportunity for the church to say ‘all means all.’”
“I asked Tom that question when he started working with Prairie Star Ranch,” said Becki. “It’s way out of town. Why would you want to do it here? He said it’s a really good camp and kids have good experiences here, so why can’t all kids have good experiences?”
Elizabeth and Pablo Aguayo
Elizabeth and Pablo Aguayo, and their three daughters — Emma, Sofia and Gianna — have all been involved with Prairie Star Ranch and Camp Tekakwitha in various ways.
The oldest two girls — Emma and Sofia, now in college — attended Camp Tekakwitha from fifth grade through high school. Sofia is on the “Blue Team” as a camp counselor this year. Gianna, 13, has attended camp since she was in fifth grade.
Elizabeth and Pablo have financially supported camp scholarships, participated in and volunteered for Family Camp and Spanish Family Camp, and have hosted nephews and nieces from Texas so they could attend the camps for the past three years.
“Youths are very influenced by their peers,” said Elizabeth. “When they come to camp, everybody is participating enthusiastically in Catholic [devotions and sacraments]. . . . They see it’s a good, positive thing to do . . . and it instills in them it’s OK to participate and, hopefully, they take that home.”
“It’s true,” said Pablo. “These kids are under a lot of peer pressure, often negative. This is an opportunity for them to experience peer pressure in a positive way.”
Father Dan Morris
Father Dan Morris has been “super involved” over the years, said Deacon Nearmyer.
“He loves camp so much,” he added. “He loves it when the older kids ask him the really tough questions, and he gives them the fullness of the church’s wisdom in his answers.”
As vocation director, Father Morris helps campers seek what God wants for them in life, and shows the excellence of the liturgy in his own devotion to the Eucharist, said Deacon Nearmyer. Additionally, he personally redesigned the camp chapel sacristy and oversaw the work. He also raised money to purchase vestments and surplices for the altar servers.
“Prairie Star Ranch is important to me because the people of the archdiocese, especially our youth, are important to me,” said Father Morris. “There is no greater gift we can give than to introduce people to Jesus Christ and pass on the faith. Prairie Star Ranch helps facilitate countless opportunities for our youth to encounter Jesus and receive that gift.”
Father Brian Schieber
Father Brian Schieber received his award a little early, at a July 24 Mass at the ranch from Archbishop Naumann.
“Since the day he was ordained 25 years ago, he’s worked hard to promote the camp and for priests to participate,” said Deacon Nearmyer. “He’s been right beside us all the way, for 27 years, since camp was at the Grange.”
“There are a lot of [camp] choices for our youth to attend,” said Father Schieber, “but it’s super important to have a distinctly Catholic camp that leads youth to encounter Jesus in the sacraments, especially confession and the Eucharist.
“It’s a wonderful atmosphere where Christian community is built with peers in a fun setting.”
