During the varsity football matchup against Papillion-La Vista on September 23, Brandon Steburg suffered a concussion. Steburg, a senior at Papillion-La Vista, was taken from the stadium at halftime in an ambulance, and the game continued. After the conclusion of the game, Steburg had to be put into a medically induced coma to combat swelling the brain, and undergo emergency surgery.

On the Sunday after the game, members from the Prep and Papio communities joined together to pray for Steburg. The service was held in the Mullen Gym, with about five hundred people in attendance.

Susan Corpuz, who organized the event, felt for Steburg’s family, and felt she had to take action.

“At the game, when I saw the ambulance, I immediately stood up and started saying Hail Mary’s for whoever was hurt,” Corpuz said. “I couldn’t get Brandon nor his mom out of my mind.  So when Coach [Yost] called, I was a bit relieved because that was something I could do for Brandon.”

At the prayer service, Fr. Rob Kroll, S.J., led the congregation in praying for Steburg, and the Prep choir added a lyrical component to the service. The choir sang songs such as “You Raise me up” and “Lean on me”.

“What was so cool was during the final song, all of the players had their arms around each other,” Corpuz said. “Both teams sat together and when they linked arms, it just really showed, we are community!  We may be from different schools but we can come together and join our hearts to pray for healing.”

On September 29, Prep continued to come together for Steburg. Prep held a pep rally, which Fr. Kevin Schneider, S.J., opened with a prayer for Steburg. Principal Jim Bopp then read a letter from the principal of Papillion-La Vista thanking the Prep community for their support.

The prayer service managed to raise over $1,000 for Steburg. If you are interested in contributing to cover the cost of Steburg’s medical bills, please consider donating here.