Parishioners remember fallen pastor, fatally shot a year ago, and continue to heal

For Michelle Haverkamp, the timeline is just as vivid.

Six days before Carasala's death, she signed a contract to become principal. After seven years as assistant principal, she had hesitated, but the pastor reassured her.

"He told me, 'Don't worry. I'll be here. I wouldn't leave you here your first year,'" she said.

He introduced her at an all-school assembly that same day. The following Tuesday, he stopped by her classroom.

"He said, 'Everything's going to be fine. You're going to do great,'" Haverkamp recalled. "That was the last conversation I had with him."

In the months that followed, Haverkamp and Leonard led a grieving school community through difficult firsts — first Communion, graduation and a new school year.

"We had a staff that was hurting and students that were sad," Haverkamp said.

Fr. Joel Haug, now pastor, led prayer services focused on healing, and seminarian Trey Niesen's presence helped steady the school.

"We talk openly about Fr. Arul," Haverkamp said. "Sometimes it brings tears, but then the kids remember the positive things, and we move forward."

Traditions continued. When eighth graders wondered who would share a graduation meal with them, Haug stepped in.

Now, a year later, Haverkamp sees renewal.

"I feel like our school community is in a great place right now," she said.

Reminders of Carasala remain in every classroom, where candles bearing his photo glow throughout the day.

For seventh grader Sophia Leonard, his memory is simple.

"He was always giving us high fives," she said. "He was always spreading joy and always smiling."

One lesson still stands out in her mind.

"He said you can't just go to church and light a candle. You have to go deeper in your faith."

That call has shaped the school's response.

"We talk a lot about what a blessing it is to receive the Eucharist," Haverkamp said, noting that Mass, adoration and reconciliation have helped bring healing. "Jesus is present with us, and we're not alone."

Parishioners Jim and Myra Runnebaum remember the shock of that day — and their concern for the school's children.

"I was more concerned about the kids than I was about myself," Jim said.

Healing took time.

"It's not something you rush," he added.

The couple later helped lead the creation of a memorial in the church's narthex. A shadow box displays Carasala's vestments and personal items, including a chasuble still marked with wax from a candle used during adoration shortly before his death.

"It's been an honor to do it for him," Jim said.

"It's still been kind of hard," Myra added.

For many, the memories surface unexpectedly.

"I kind of got a little teary-eyed," said parishioner Bob Niehues of the first time he saw the shadow box.

Many speak of Carasala's continued presence.

"He's not gone," Jim said. "His spirit is in everything that happens here."

Ahead of the Easter Triduum, Haug said that with the anniversary of Carasala's death falling during that time it would be "an especially weighty moment of prayer and remembrance woven through the Passion of our Lord."

He said the past year has been marked by grief and grace.

"We as a parish are still grieving," he said. "His physical absence is felt. But I also believe that he gave his life for the church … and is accompanying this community."

The parish has honored Carasala through events like a memorial 5K, the "Rooted in Christ" event and a rosary and Mass on his birthday.

Amid the sorrow, Haug sees a deepening of faith.

"I've seen many people lean into their faith and start to find peace and healing," he said. "The most powerful legacy a priest can leave is helping people come to know the Lord more deeply. … I believe Fr. Arul's intercession is blessing this move of the Holy Spirit among the people of this community."