Youth confirmation and discipleship members at Holy Trinity Catholic Church will play key roles in a “Living Passion of the Cross” production at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Co-directed by Charleen Kappler and Ray Meyer, the program, portraying the 14 Stations of the Cross, is rich with meaning as youth reenact the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa — or way of grief — as he carries his cross through Jerusalem.
Music will be presented in both English and Spanish.
Kappler, a youth minister and leader for 49 years, began working with youth at Holy Trinity a year after moving to Huron in 2001. At first she had doubts about getting involved in the youth production.
“My two sisters (Mary and Kathy) in Sioux Falls said they do this for Holy Week, and I got a script from them,” Kappler said. “The students change it a little bit each time and make it better.
“Youth Stations of the Cross can make a real impact, not only on students but also the community,” Kappler added.
Sam Gilbert and Vanessa Valadez will be master of ceremonies, and Gilbert and his sister, Claire Gilbert, will be narrators.
Edwin Castaneda will portray Jesus, Dylan Stroud is Pontius Pilate, and Cora Cook is Mary, mother of Jesus.
Other cast members are Cooper Fryberger, Jack Kluth, Juan Ministro, Ryan Smith, Fatima Reyes, Susan Olivera-Comacho, Libby Rounds, Angelo Pa Kae, Harvyn Heinz, Julianne Hanson, Noelle Nemmers, Cielo Salazar and William Torres.

Special music will be provided by Tammy Musil, Felipe Ruiz, Martha Ornelas, Julianne Hanson, Noelle Nemmers, Matthew Katz and Sloane Mack.
Crew members include Jacelyn Bankston, Macey Kline, Kendra Paye and Nathan Gauer.
Others helping out are Jacelyn Bankston, Macey Kline, Leo Ministro, Kendra Paye and Carlos Yanes. Other adult leaders lending a hand are Father Mike Schneider, Deacon Bill Kappler, director of religious education Jamie Nemmers, Jeff Gilbert, Wayne Gauer, Tom Baszler, Pam Layton, Justine Butler and Tim and Adele Flanery.
Sam Gilbert, who has been in the production the past four years, said it is both fun and thought provoking.
“When I played Jesus, that was the most profound, just walking in his steps,” said Gilbert, who will graduate from Huron High School this spring.
“Sam’s ideas have lent much to the production,” Kappler said. “We’ll miss him when he graduates. Whatever ideas youth come up with we try to incorporate to make it their own experience.”
The first few years, members of the youth groups presented the “Living Passion” for fellow students and parents only, then they opened it up to the congregation as well.
“The fifth year we opened it up and advertised it for the public,” said co-director Ray Meyer. “My vision was to bring the community together for this event.”
Watching people react as Jesus carries the large wooden cross through the sanctuary accompanied by Roman soldiers is profound, Kappler said.
“It’s great looking out at the audience and seeing them participate,” she added.
Claire Gilbert, a high school junior taking part in her third “Passion” experience, said the performance shows the intensity of Christ’s suffering.
“When you actually perform, it touches people’s hearts,” she said, adding, “I think it would be beneficial for people to come.”
Nathan Gauer, a high school sophomore helping out for his second year, agrees with her.
“It’s a good experience to know what it was like for Jesus and what he suffered through,” Gauer said.
A reception will follow the program.

CRYSTAL PUGSLEY/PLAINSMAN
Edwin Castaneda, center, plays Jesus in “Living Passion of the Cross” to be presented Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He is flanked by Roman guards Jack Kluth and Juan Ministro, in back, and Ryan Smith and Cooper Fryberger in front. Dylan Stroud, cast as Pontius Pilate, and Cora Cook who plays Mary.