Good signs

Yesterday was my day off. Between the NCAA basketball tourney and the South Dakota boys high school tourney, I had lots of games to watch. During the games I was either on the treadmill, sorting baseball cards or just hanging out with the other SCJs in the house. I also spent time reading and watched a movie. It was very nice to have some down time.

Today, I followed up on several phone calls, ran to town to pick up the mail and did some grocery shopping. At the store I ran into Amanda, one of our family service counselors. She enjoyed spring break yet said, “ I’m ready to come back – I miss the kids”. That’s a good sign that our staff are feeling refreshed and ready to go again. Later in that same grocery store, I ran into the mom of two students. She said, “I’ve enjoyed having the kids home, but they’re ready to come back. There’s more for them to do at St. Joseph’s”. That too, is a good sign.

People may soon forget the words you say, but they won’t forget how you made them feel …

I got a call from Fr. Joe who has come down with the flu, who asked if I could cover weekend masses in my old stomping grounds. Since we won’t have mass on campus this weekend,  I was able to fill in for him tonight at Reliance, 15 miles away. When I preach, I want to give people a word that inspires or makes them think. I didn’t have the usual time it takes to prepare an in-depth homily, so did the best I could on short notice. An old priest reminded me once, people may soon forget the words you say, but they won’t forget how you made them feel. I enjoyed seeing the folks and catching up.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

One thought on “Good signs”

  1. You need to share some of your homilies with the crowd out here..
    Some of us would like to know, “what is a “Catholic”, anyway, really..?”.
    Love and Hugs..
    Mia and Bob

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