I feel rewarded

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Today, I went back to the office, and with no one else around, I got a pile of mail done. I also signed off on this semester’s college grants to those who have qualified for scholarships. I feel rewarded when I read what our alumni are doing to continue their education, and am glad that we can encourage and support their efforts.

I take the responsibility of preaching very seriously, and I work to find words and images that the students can connect with.

I put in several hours working on the weekend homily.  Some days, like today, I struggle. It felt like getting a test question that you kind of know, but are stuck trying to make it sound right.  Sometimes, in preaching the words flow easily, but other times it’s difficult to understand the mysterious ways of God myself, let alone trying to explain it to others in a meaningful way.

I stopped in at Hogebach (HS girls) just to say hi and see what they were up to. Last night, was an away basketball game, and in South Dakota that often means a trip of up to three hours in one direction.  The students got back around one o’clock in the morning and some of them were just getting up around noon. It’s good that they can have the occasional sleep in day.

Tonight, one of our Lakota (Sioux) high school students, Michelle, celebrated a birthday! Her friends used the gym to set up for a dance. When I stopped by to see how things were going, there were students, but not too much dancing. The strobe lights and techno music wasn’t my style, but she and her friends were happy. I checked in with a few of the houseparents. Mark, our newest houseparent told about his first month on the job. Mike, working with our freshmen boys and brainstormed about an upcoming trip.

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. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School