Month: April 2013

It’s always busy at the REC Center

St. Joseph’s REC Center is always a busy place during the school year and especially during the winter months. Andy, Mark, Bev, Shelly and I have our hands full during that time.  It is, however, a different look during spring break.

REC Center is home to the St. Joseph’s Braves sports teams.
St. Joseph’s boys’ basketball teams play in January and February.

Spring break for the Lakota boys and girls gives us time to catch up on many things that we don’t have time for in January and February.  A lot of “little things” take place such as deep cleaning and organizing equipment.  This spring break was no exception.  With the addition of a handicap bathroom stall, we had extensive cleaning in both the REC Center office area and bathroom area.  The additional bathroom is a great addition to the building and will be greatly utilized by St. Joseph’s staff, students, families visitors.

We did have one spring break home on campus, so there was still some normal activity.  Each day, they scheduled time in the gym, pool, weight room or game room.  They also borrowed DVD’s and games to enjoy during break.

Another nice part of break is planning upcoming activities for the Lakota students.  The REC Center provides lots of programs and activities for the children from now through the end of the school year. The time it all gets put together is during spring break!

Now that the Native American students have returned to St. Joseph’s, we will start track for the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, T-Ball for the first through third graders, and softball for all the homes in grades 4-8! All these activities will wrap up in the middle of May.

In addition to activities for everyone, we have several staff and students we will be working with individually for wellness/health workouts.

All in all, spring break is nice and welcomed by everyone.  It is bitter sweet, however – we get a little break from the daily grind, but we also know it means the end of the school year is near.

Thanks for your support and have a happy Spring!

The Lakota children stay healthy and fit at St. Joseph’s Indian School.
The REC Center offers activities like wrestling and tumbling for the younger Lakota students.
All St. Joseph’s homes participate in field day, houseparents included!
Each spring, the REC Center plans field day for all the Lakota children.

Bryan

A peaceful, happy Easter

Greetings once again from the banks of the Missouri River!

We hope that you and yours had a very blessed, peaceful and happy Easter.

Things were a bit quiet this past weekend since the Lakota (Sioux) students were away for the Spring/Easter break.  They’ll be returning today and we’ll have an Easter egg hunt later this afternoon.

Fr. Steve is on his way back from Florida, so I have the chance to bring you up-to-date on what’s been going on.

I was able to help with Holy Thursday services at St. Michael’s in Kennebec, South Dakota, which is about 30 miles west of us here in Chamberlain.  It is one of the mission parishes covered by our pastoral team at the Lower Brule Indian Reservation.  I enjoyed having the chance to celebrate with the community there.

I concelebrated Easter Vigil at St. James in Chamberlain, helping Fr. Guy Blair, SCJ. One of our houseparents had been part of their RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program this past year and joined the church at the Vigil.

It was an honor to take part in the service and helped get me excited since our RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) will have its celebration this coming Sunday, when 18 of our Native American students receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.

Easter Day was quiet and relaxing.  I had Mass for St. Joseph’s students staying in the break Home (those who stayed on campus instead of going home for the Spring/Easter break) prior to their outing to Mitchell, South Dakota.

It was also quiet since it appears the snow geese, which are on their migration back to the Arctic, have finally headed north.  Their normal route home was feeling the effect of mid-Western snow storms and frozen waters, thus their path was pushed further to the west, which brought them into our area.  They were all over the place – the local paper estimated that there were about 50,000 in Brule County!

Again, best wishes for a very happy Easter Season.  Be assured of our prayers for you and your intentions, as we are truly grateful for your support of St. Joseph’s Indian School.  May the Great Spirit continue to bless and reward you.

Sincerely,

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ

Chaplain

St. Joseph’s Indian School

Chamberlain, SD