An update from Fr. Anthony

With Fr. Steve Huffstetter, SCJ on his way to New York City for donor lunches this weekend, I have the chance to serve again as guest blogger.  My name is Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ and I am the chaplain here at St. Jospeh’s.

The school year has been underway for about a week and a half.  We had the official ‘opening’ on Wednesday afternoon with the Opening of School Liturgy and student picnic.  It was also the opening of school for the Chamberlain School system which meant that our high school students were back and ready to go after their orientation and the children of our houseparents were starting their studies for the year as well.

We have a large number of high dchool students this year, as 8^th grade graduates over the last two years have made known their desire to continue in St. Joseph’s program.  Several of the students came back early to take part in pre-season athletic activities—soccer, football and volleyball.  The soccer is already underway and the football team has their first game Friday night against Hot Springs, SD.  The volleyball team has their first game on Saturday against Mobridge/Pollock.  To encourage support of the various teams, St. Joseph’s rec department buys several season passes so that our students can attend and lend their voices in cheer for the teams and their players, especially those from St. Joseph’s.

Fr. Steve may have mentioned that St. Joseph’s hosted the 2011 Chamberlain/Oacoma Youth Triathlon which consisted of swimming, running and bike riding.  Students could take part individually or as part of a 3-man team.  In the 9-10 year old boys, Maleke came in second and in the team category, Moses, Dylan and Bradley came in first and Ramez, Richie and Dustin came in second.  In the 11-12 year old category, Angel was first and Cassidy second in the individual girls and Nate, Joseph and Louie won third along with Hialle, Trinity and Justis winning fourth in the team category.  It was interesting watching them speed around campus on their bikes and then hit the pool and then run various distances depending on their age group.  Many from town and the local area also took part and had some nice compliments regarding the facilities St. Joseph’s had to offer in hosting the event.  Your generosity helps make the campus and facilities available to share with the local community.  We extend our thanks for your help to enable us to host something positive for the local area.

One drawback from getting the year underway, is the necessity for meetings as we prepare to welcome students and new staff and get ready for upcoming events. We have already had a meeting on the up-coming powwow in September.  Though they take up time, they do help us all get on the same page and thus better prepared to be of service to students and staff.  I bring this up since I’m on my way to a meeting now.  Will touch base with you again on Monday to share what went down over the weekend.  May God’s blessings be with you to reward you for your interest in St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Sincerely,

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ

Chaplain

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