St. Luke community prays for God's grace as it works through time of trial
by Anne Marie Cox | March 25, 2026
Hold each other. Lean on each other. Lean on Christ.
One day after a car in a school pickup line jumped a curb, injuring 15 Catholic elementary school students, the pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Ankeny encouraged a standing-room-only crowd at morning Mass to rely on each other and on God’s grace.
The incident at St. Luke Catholic School occurred March 24 at about 3:15 p.m., when cars were lined up to pick up students after school. Seconds after it happened, parents along with faculty and staff ran to assist the injured while emergency services were on the way, according to the Ankeny Police Department.
On March 25, the police said seven students remained hospitalized.
The collision is under investigation and the driver is cooperating with police. “The crash does not appear to be intentional,” according to police.
At the morning Mass, Father Ken Halbur said the Church was celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Mary, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary.
But in their local church, parishioners and school families also gathered in sorrow. He encouraged the faithful to pray for mercy and forgiveness.
Why?
“Because that’s what Jesus asks of us: mercy, forgiveness, love, and peace,” he said.
In the Gospel, Mary asks how it might be that she would be expecting a baby. The angel says that God will be with her.
It’s a reminder today that God’s grace is with the community of St. Luke, said Father Halbur.
We know that Jesus was more than a child growing up with Mary and Joseph. He was God incarnate, the savior who was coming to live with us, said the pastor. “He is our strength in a time of trouble.”
As families gathered before and after Mass to share stories, hug each other, and support one another, mother Michelle Werner said the community has pulled together to support the families of those affected by collision.
“Keep praying for peace and healing,” she said. “We’ll rally and support our families, especially those involved, and the person who caused the accident, too.”
“Our faith is what brings us together,” said one father who declined to share his name.
School was cancelled for the day, but counselors from multiple agencies were present for children, staff, and families who wanted to talk. Diocesan Schools Superintendent Donna Bishop said the school received help from Polk County, the Area Education Agency, the diocesan Emergency Response Team, counseling agencies, and others.
She said an Ankeny police officer told her the level and quality of care by faculty and staff as well as parents who stepped in to aid as the event unfolded was top notch.
Even Delta, a three-year-old golden retriever, and several other dogs were present to help the community process the trauma.
“We’re here to provide some support and comfort from the tragedy that’s occurred,” said Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy TJ Decker. He said there are about 36 certified crisis canines in Iowa and surrounding states.
Having the dogs nearby “starts the healing process a little bit. They help the brain change the mood that it’s in and seek a new path forward,” he said.
At the end of his homily, Father Halbur provided some affirmation and encouragement for his faith community.
“In times of trial, I always recommend we pray for two things: Wisdom and strength,” said Father Halbur. “Wisdom, to see how we can help others and how we are to do those things, and strength to follow through with them.
“Yesterday, in a time of trial, I saw both. I saw a whole lot of wisdom and strength for our teachers, our parents, and all those around us,” he said. “It was that grace that God has. I thank you so much. I thank you for the gift of helping, that gift of being with our families. Now, today, we gather again to pray, to ask God’s grace to keep working through this time of trial.”