Cheney church members help with restoration of Sprague Catholic cemetery

West Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints assembles team of 70 volunteers for project

By LYDIA BALDERREE

Contributor

High on a hill just north of Sprague, children, teens, parents and grandparents joined together at the Old Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, July 25, to mow, pull weeds, and trim trees and clean headstones.

These were members of the West Stake for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All were volunteers gathered together for the common good of the community.

The project came about during a discussion between a member of the Cheney Mormon church and Sprague's Mary Katherine Rudd, a member of Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Rudd mentioned they were having a difficult time maintaining the cemetery.

Lindel Burns, a member of the Cheney church thought this would be a great opportunity to be of service and help the Catholic members out. He offered to organize a volunteer group of members from the church, and the rest, as they say, is history.

After several hours of cooperative work, the grounds of the cemetery were once again neat and well groomed. The approximately 70 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints made a positive impact and enjoyed the results of their hard work. Members of the Catholic community were very appreciative.

“I couldn't thank them enough for all of their work. It was just amazing what they were able to accomplish. I am so thrilled with the results,” Rudd said afterwards about the Cheney church's efforts in refurbishing Sprague's cemetery grounds.