A good use of resources

I was intrigued by houseparent Anita’s campus wide email titled, “Let’s Make A Deal”. At the beginning of the school year all the homes are stocked with standard non-perishable food supplies. But the high school boys and 2nd grade girls definitely have different likes and dislikes. Homes often end up with surplus in some areas and shortages in others. Anita advertised food items she had and was willing to trade as she thinks about using up inventory. It’s nice when staff consciously makes good use of resources to reduce waste and get items where they are needed and appreciated.

I drove up to the Lower Brule Indian Reservation, and picked up Fr. Joe, who serves as pastor there. We drove up to Eagle Butte, for tomorrow’s board meeting at the Sacred Heart Center. It will be his first meeting, so I filled him in on a few of the people he’ll meet and a little background on programs the center is trying to focus on. 150 miles in the car together allowed us to talk a little theology and share stories of ministry. It also gave a good chance to catch up on how things are going on the “Rez”.

We talked a little theology and shared stories of ministry.

When we arrived in Eagle Butte, the rectory was empty, but I figured with Wednesday night being religious education night, we’d find folks at the church. We walked in just as the grade school religion classes were getting out. Since I served these parishes 16 years ago, I didn’t recognize any of the children that walked by. But I did recognize all their catechists. Several of the teachers I knew when they were in those same classrooms as primary students, and it was fun to see them as adults. I said to Wendy, who I’ve known since she was a very shy kindergartener, that it’s great to see the adult she’s become, with good self-confidence and trying to pass faith on to her children and children of the area.

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.

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