Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A youth group from Mequon, WI is here in the parish. One crew is running a Jesus mini camp/ Bible school for area children. Another is building a handicap accessible ramp for the church in Red Scaffold. It’s inspirational to see these young people living out their faith and taking the time to learn about the Lakota culture.
Last night Young Nation, a local high school Lakota drum group, explained and demonstrated their singing and drumming to their counterparts from Wisconsin. They got the reluctant teens to try their hand (or feet) at a round dance and a two-step.
Most interesting was the demonstration of courtship songs the young men sang. I saw many of the Wisconsin girls listening quite intently! It was a good evening of cultural exchange.
Besides the visiting, one piece of work on my schedule while here in Eagle Butte was a Board of Directors meeting for the Sacred Heart Center, one of the outreach programs of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. It provides many valuable services to families experiencing the crisis of domestic violence. It gives young people in need of a safe place to stay. It also offers a variety of educational and outreach services to the community and area.
While St. Joseph’s Indian School provides excellent programs for children who are away from their families, it’s so important to try to strengthen families on the Indian reservations. Social services is such a concrete way of embodying Gospel values; therefore I want to be as supportive of this work as I can.
There is always sooo much need in the world. But, Father Steve, you do a LOT to squelch that need. It’s a tough world, and it requires tough people like you to deal with it. The kids up there watch you pretty close, I am sure, and they watch the way you operate..In the future they will carry that into the world. Too bad your mom did not have eight of you..like “Octomom”. But I guess we are all lucky we got ONE..! Tell your mom and dad thanks..!
Prayers Always
Mia and Bob
Dear Father Steve: Your courage in this struggle against cancer is an inspiration to me and all of us. Your love for the work you do shows in all of your blogs. I pray for you daily. I thank God that you are at the St. Joseph’s Indian School, and that you are recovering.
Dorothea Sewter