Father John Birkel, the pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in North Platte, has blessed a new double-sided billboard displaying the image of Divine Mercy near North Platte on July 6. This initiative aims to share a message of hope and inspiration with travelers along Interstate 80 in Nebraska.

The history of these billboards dates back to before 2012 when the Knights of Columbus in Beaver Crossing installed two signs featuring Divine Mercy. Over time, as these images faded, they were replaced with new vinyl wrap signs equipped with solar panel lights. Father Mark Seiker, who was involved in this project while serving at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and is now the pastor at St. Mary Parish in Aurora and St. Joseph in Giltner, recounted this development.

In January 2013, a contract was established between the Father McGivney Knights of Columbus Council #12530 and property owner Victor Grasz for erecting a sign near I-80 close to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in North Platte. The installation process involved North Platte Municipal Light & Water setting up poles for vinyl wraparound signs placed over plywood.

Over time, due to environmental wear, these signs deteriorated and were removed. In 2021, efforts began to replace them using reflective aluminum extrusion signs akin to those used by the Nebraska Department of Transportation. These new signs were produced by Interstate Signways in Little Rock, Arkansas, and delivered for use across North Platte, Aurora, and Beaver Crossing.

On April 30th this year, Condon Signs installed new back-to-back signs along I-80 near mile marker 177 that are visible from both eastbound and westbound directions. Additional installations are planned near Aurora later this month at mile marker 334.6 and later this year near Beaver Crossing at mile marker 369.

Ed Rieker from the Father McGivney Knights of Columbus Council played a significant role in assisting with the sign replacement process in North Platte.

"With all the evil in the world," Rieker stated, "people still have innate recognition of the truth."