Victorious

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I checked in on the remodeling job we’re doing on the Speyer and Rooney Homes. Our facilities crew has the project moving along quite well. This is the third set of Lakota Homes we’ve worked on, and we get a little better and faster each time.  I notice the more dramatic change when the drywall is put up, but now comes the slower and more tedious part of taping and mudding and smoothing before painting. That’s time consuming to do well. I’m sure as the days get darker and colder, the crew will enjoy having such an indoor project to work on.

A few of the students still haven’t gotten back from Thanksgiving Break yet. Some of the problem is due to snowy weather in the Western part of South Dakota. Another reality is that families often lack reliable transportation, and we’ve had a couple of students who aren’t back due to car problems. Our family service counselors are scrambling around looking for ways to get students safely back to school.

Our 4th, 5th and 6th grade girls were all in action on the basketball court this afternoon. Our 5th graders won an exciting game 12-11 on Danielle’s basket with 30 seconds left. It was her only basket of the game, and we were happy not just for the win, but for Danielle to have something to be proud of. The whole team contributed to the effort. To top that, the 6th grade team went into 4 overtimes before emerging victorious! I felt sorry for our houseparents who were back at the homes trying to figure out what time to have dinner ready as the game went on and on and on.

Encouraging report

Monday, November 29, 2010

I went to the clinic for blood work today. When the nurse called back with the results, we apparently have found the right amount of blood thinner, because the numbers were in the proper range for another month. As I get set to go back in a week for the more intensive 6 month check up, knowing that part of the equation is right, takes away some of the anxiety. I’m hoping for another encouraging report.

We have our own printing press on campus, and the folks up there do great work. I hadn’t stopped by there for a while, so I said hello to the folks and checked in on their work. All the Christmas letters are in the process of being mailed, and now the folks there are printing lots of the brochures that we use throughout the year: fliers giving an overview of the school, the Lakota Life information, an insert on our charitable annuity program.  I went downtown to our thrift store to meet our new part-time employee, who was chatting with customers and ringing up merchandise like a seasoned pro. We have many employees who do jobs not usually associated with a school that contribute to our overall effort and help us be successful.

I met with the two 7th grade girls who were chosen to go the St. Augustine Florida luncheon in January. They were both incredibly excited. Getting to see the ocean is high on their to-do list . Over the next few weeks, we’ll practice so they can overcome their nervousness and tell folks about their experience of St. Joseph’s.

 

Building families

Sunday, November 28, 2010

I drove 30 miles to the church on the Lower Brule reservation for mass. We started out with a small crowd but people kept filtering in until the small church was mostly filled. There were a lot of young children. Most of them were being cared for by their grandparents. While they provide so much care and love, I always found it important to reach out to young parents and support and gently challenge them to be more involved in their children’s upbringing. It’s only by strengthening the families that we can help build a better future.

I stayed for lunch and caught up with Fr. Joe and Fr. Hendrik, two of the priests in my congregation who serve on the reservation.

Back at St. Joseph’s, I had supper in Pinger Home (6th-8th grade girls) to welcome the students back after break. I met Jessica, one of the two new students that is now part of St. Joseph’s. The new students who come are usually quiet and a bit overwhelmed at first. Hopefully some of the other students will show hospitality and help her feel at home. With houseparents, counselors and teachers all working together, the students usually adjust fairly quickly and enter into our schedule of many activities.

 

God comes in daily events

Saturday, November 27, 2010

I enjoy reading. There are so many books that I want to read, that I seldom revisit any. Yet as the sun goes down and the season of Advent begins a new church year, I open the pages in a volume I’ve been through over 30 times – The Divine Office. Though the psalms and scriptures have become very familiar, week after week, year after year, each time I pray them, I am different. This season the  cry maranatha – come Lord Jesus – is filled with more of a sense of gratitude rather than impatient waiting. Just as I try to heal up a little at a time, day by day, God comes in the little daily events. I don’t have to wait for the big and dramatic in which to discover God.

For fun, I went to the gym and shot baskets this evening. One of the houseparents was teaching his son to shoot, which reminded me of all the times I spent in the back yard with my dad. After they left, I stayed and shot by myself. I hit one string of 25 free throws, and felt pretty good. Then I tried to drive in for layups and my legs just didn’t cooperate. I have to keep trying with the attitude that even if I don’t get all the way back, each little effort will make me stronger and better. With the snow season starting, I want to be able to walk and balance with less chance of slipping and falling.

Kicking off the Christmas season

Friday, November 26, 2010

The business office was closed today so our staff could enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend with their families. But there’s always mail to pick up, so I asked the students in the break home if they wanted to help, and I had three eager volunteers. I can actually sort the mail more efficiently by myself, but it gives them a chance to get out of the house and try something different. Sadly, some of the kids never get letters from home. Two of the students didn’t even know where the post office was located. I coached the youngest, Pearl,  how to go up to the counter and politely ask for our tub of mail. When we got home from the sorting, the girls had more fun playing peek-a-boo on either side of the staff mailboxes than actually sorting the mail. They laughed and had a good time. In the end, they felt important because they had helped, which was what I had hoped for all along.

Tonight was Chamberlain’s Parade of Lights festival that kicks off the Christmas season. Santa Claus and a horse-drawn wagon were in front of the Fire Hall to greet folks. St. Joseph’s donated the chili for the free meal at the Fire Hall, and I volunteered for the first shift. Passing out bowls, spoons and welcoming people as they came in was a lot of fun, and much less stressful than some of my other daily responsibilities. Our kids who stayed behind in the break home got to ride on the float with Santa, and were tickled to see folks along main street waving at them.

Inspiration

Thursday, November 25, 2010

While the temperature was a bone chilling 12 degrees, the skies were sunny and the roads clear as I drove the 25 miles north to Fort Thompson to concelebrated mass. Fr. Bernie began the mass by reintroducing me to the parishioners I already know and cherish from my time as pastor there. His point was that I’m a living example that we have much to be thankful for, especially when we’ve come through a rough stretch of life, be it health or other issues. I know many in that congregation have included me in their prayers, and I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude.

After mass, Sr. Charles had a few turkeys ready, and people brought along the other fixings. About 30 people stayed in the hall to have their Thanksgiving meal together. Some would repeat the festivities later at home. But for some it was their only holiday meal, which is why I find it so meaningful to return to the parish for that tradition.

TJ is one of our commissioned lay ministers in the church. He quit drinking years ago and has sponsored countless people through the AA program. He also has been a great promoter of retreats the Sioux Spiritual Center offers to help people trying to overcome addictions. He said that giving up drinking created a totally new life for him – like being born again. In case I needed a reminder how tough life can be for some families, he said that of the six boys in his family, he is the only one who lived past the age of 32. All but one of the deaths were alcohol related. After he raised his own family, he now has custody of 5 relatives ages 3-8, and is trying to raise them in a safe and loving environment.

Meeting people who make a difference like that on the reservation is truly inspiring.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The mass exodus has begun. We do staff a break home for a few of the students who will stay here for the Thanksgiving holiday, but most of our students are leaving for a few days to enjoy time with their family. We have icy, wintry weather across the state, and to beat the approaching storm, many of our students went home last night.  Most of our staff will get to enjoy some time with their families as well, thought I’m grateful for the ones who will check in on campus and make sure the heat, water and physical plant is running the way it should.

 Later on today we’ll host the other SCJs who work on the Lower Brule & Crow Creek Reservations, and Fr. Mark and Fr. Gary from in town. Since they will have masses and parish celebrations tomorrow, today works out well for our Religious “family” to have a meal together and relax. May each of you reading this have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Baltimore luncheons were a great success

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Our Baltimore luncheons were a great success! Saturday, we hosted 130 donors, and Sunday a group of 50. Our two students, 8th grader Robert, and 7th grader William weren’t bashful at all and helped me tell folks about what life is life here at St. Joseph’s. As always, we met such kind and generous people who are part of our St. Joseph’s Tiyospaye club. Some of the donors I’ve met personally when they’ve stopped by the school to visit, especially at our annual Powwow. Others, I’ve know only through phone calls or the mail. It’s so satisfying to sit at table and share a meal together and say thanks – especially appropriate as we approach Thanksgiving. God has given us so many kind and caring benefactors, and we pray that we can be good stewards of the gifts they share.

The plane ride was William’s very first. There’s a brief moment when the plane wheels first leave the ground and you feel like you are floating. As the plane rose and the cars and houses became like miniature toys in the distance, the look on William’s face was nervousness turned to glee – that was priceless for me.

Craig, our Junior High language arts teacher chaperoned. He had never been to Baltimore and was as excited as the students. We stayed downtown, right on the inner harbor, and explored lots by foot. Saturday morning we got up early and found the historic graveyard where Edgar Allen Poe is buried, and the house where Babe Ruth was born. They boys also took pictures of the Orioles’ Camden Yards ballpark, and the stadium that’s home to the Ravens. After the luncheon we checked out the historic ships in the harbor, boarding the USS Constellation, and getting a glimpse of life on a submarine. Baltimore features the most wonderful Aquarium, and on Sunday afternoon we  marveled at the delicate Jelly Fish, and laughed while sitting in the splash zone at the dolphin show. Sometimes it’s the little things that tickle our students most. Robert was happy just taking the escalator down to the subway and seeing what that looked like.  

William wanted a t-shirt from the Hard Rock Café. There we noticed a picture of the Seminole Tribal Council when they purchased the Hard Rock franchise. Tribes who have branched out into successful business ventures give a model our students can learn from.

I suggest the students try new foods, especially local ones, when they are in a new part of the country, so we split an order of Maryland Crab Cakes. William ate every bite, giving it an 8 of 10. Robert made faces trying to get even a little down, and rated his a zero! The students never seem to have trouble finding rich and gooey dessert that rate high on their scale.

We attended mass at the Basilica Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a church which has witnessed so much history. It was restored a few years ago, and the paintings are bright and beautiful. I used the occasion to educate about the bishops chair (cathedra) and the Umbraculum which is the colorful umbrella that is the mark of a basilica.

I enjoy travel, but it does tire you out some. I spent much of today taking care of mail and messages that came in while I was away. I’m looking forward to some quieter time in the few days right after Thanksgiving.

Greetings from Fr. Anthony

Friday, November 19, 2010

Greetings!  Fr. Steve is away this weekend attending a donor luncheon in Baltimore, MD and he asked me to touch base with you to inform you what happened this weekend here at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD.

My name is Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ and I am the chaplain here at St. Joseph’s. 

On Friday, November 19th, I finished the monthly novena of Masses we offer for our benefactors.  Also, I wanted to tell you that we pray for you every Sunday at Mass.  We are truly grateful for your generosity.  Friday night also brought a unique visitor to the Chamberlain area as the National Christmas tree from Wyoming stopped to overnight in Chamberlain.  People were able to go a view the tree and write their names and/or a brief message on the banner hanging on the truck.  Although it was a bit late arriving, several of the homes here on campus were able to take part in the welcoming activities.

Luckily, we have avoided any real wintry weather thus far, but the local weather stations say that is about to end.  The next day or two could bring us some snow.  We are hoping that it will not interfere with  Thanksgiving travel plans.

At Mass today, we had the students bring cut outs of a pumpkin, turkey or leaf on which they were able to write what they are grateful to the Great Spirit for.  These were then placed in front of the altar and will remain there through Thanksgiving as our way of saying, “Thanks to God”.

This afternoon we had the latest two games of the inter-city basketball league.  This is a program that invites local boys in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades to come out to St. Joseph’s and join with our students in those same grades to play basketball.  The aim of the program is to help the students get to know each other now, so that when the may be in high school together here in Chamberlain, they will already be acquainted with each other.  When the boys basketball season begins after Christmas, then the Sunday league will be for our girls who are in the midst of their basketball season now.  I enjoy helping out by officiating at some of the games.  Thus far my knees are holding up.

On behalf of Fr. Steve and all the students and staff here at St. Joseph’s, I would like to extend sincere greetings that you and yours will have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving.  May God’s blessings continue to be with you all.

Balitmore here I come

Thursday, November 18, 2010

All my bags are packed, and in the morning I’ll travel with two students and three staff to Baltimore for donor appreciation luncheons.

When I prepare to travel, I inevitably spend the day before sorting through the piles of paperwork on my desk trying to make sure I’ve not overlooked something that should have been done yesterday. My day was taken up with lots of ten and fifteen minute tasks, sandwiched around three meetings. When I’m flustered and not centered, those tasks can seem bothersome. Today, I was able to do them with a good spirit, realizing that it’s the little chores in life that when offered up to God are the acts that can help me grow spiritually.

In the business office the good news is that we’ve done a great job of keeping up with the mail, so that people will get a speedy thank you. The bad news is that this time of year we like to be a little more behind because we’re getting so much mail. That isn’t the case this year – so many people are having to make do with less because of the economy, and have to cut back on some things, and we understand that.

Brother Clay and I met for a supervisory meeting. Brother Clay has just one month left working in the school as part of his internship, and I’ve enjoyed his presence in our religious community, and the difference he’s made in the lives of our students. He will return to Chicago to start his Master’s degree after Christmas. Working with the students as a tutor has been a growth experience for Brother Clay. Besides helping him learn patience, he sees how important it is to understand the other stresses going on for the students in their homes here, and their “home homes” as the students call them. Those issues certainly affect their ability to concentrate and learn.