I photographed this sign in downtown Waseca, Minnesota, late Saturday afternoon, February 1.
A BLOCK AWAY STANDS Church of the Sacred Heart, backdrop for the words, PLEASE PRAY FOR OFFICER ARIK MATSON.
From my vantage point, the towering church in the heart of downtown Waseca proved a powerful reinforcing visual to the message.
People throughout Minnesota and elsewhere continue to pray for the 32-year-old Waseca police officer shot in the head on January 6 while responding to a call about a suspicious person in a backyard. A suspect was arrested and now sits in prison on an unrelated charge. Matson remains in a metro hospital ICU. His condition, according to a January 21 entry on his Go Fund Me page, is “steadily improving.”
As of February 1, donors had contributed $194,314 toward a $250,00 goal to help the Matson family cover medical, grocery, gas, hotel stay and other expenses. The police officer is the father of two daughters.
After I read the PLEASE PRAY message, I noticed the BEER OLYMPICS banner below and the mismatched non-beer graphic…
© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Very sorry to read about your local police officer and his family. Again the community spirit of your town in coming together to help them is commendable 🌿
Thank you for your kind words regarding officer Matson and the community of Waseca. This is a town about a half hour drive from mine.
❤️
🙂
Thank you once again Audrey for your heartfelt observations and thoughts. The mismatched banner with the prayer request is a reflection of our humanity. A dash of prayer, mixed with a healthy dose of the world.
I appreciate your observation, too. So true…
It’s good to get an update on the young police officer. Thank you.
You are welcome.
Oh my. What a sad event but how wonderful that this community is rallying behind him. Adding my prayers for his complete recovery. (I noticed the beer olympics sign right away — interesting juxtaposition.)
I have an update on Officer Matson. I just heard on the news that he is out of ICU and will be moving into a rehab facility. I’m uncertain as to when that move will happen. But this is surely an answer to many prayers.