Anxious for Spring at St. Joseph’s Indian School

Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain
Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph’s Chaplain

As you read this, our Lakota (Sioux) students are coming back to begin the fourth quarter and I’m at a meeting at our province headquarters in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.  It is a gathering of the superiors of our various communities in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. We share insights with Fr. Steve Huffstetter, SCJ, our Provincial, and the members of the Provincial Council.

Fr. Hendrick, SCJ, our superior for South Dakota is away, I get to represent our SCJ community.  Please keep us in your prayers that the Holy Spirit will guide our decisions as we update operations and processes within the Province.

The young men from Carola Home (high school boys) recently spent some time fulfilling what Jesus asks us to do during Lent — pray, fast and give alms.

Art, a former houseparent, is trying to honor a request from his terminally ill brother, who wishes to see as much of the world as he can before his illness takes over.

The boys held a car wash fundraiser for Art’s brother here at St. Joseph’s and raised $272 to help make his dream possible.  In doing so, they ‘fasted’ by giving their time and alms via what they raised. They kept Art’s brother in their prayers that night asking the Great Spirit to enable him to visit various parts of Mother Earth.

The Explorers group made their trip to visit the State Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota and met with several State officials, including Governor Dennis Daugarrd. A

The Explorers met the Governor on their recent trip to Pierre.
St. Joseph’s student Joe, a member of the Explorers, meets South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugarrd.

few days after their trip to Pierre, they hosted a dance for the sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the Chamberlain community.

Late last week the rec center hosted an open house for staff and their families to learn about what resources are available there. The Lakota students are the primary visitors to St. Joseph’s rec center, but it’s also available to our staff. Visitors explored the workout room, shot some hoops in the open gym and a few even hit the pool for some swimming. Information was also available to learn more about health, weight loss and wellness.

Everyone is anxious for spring! The high school homes had a cook out at the Crane Home (high school girls) to celebrate the approach of spring and (hopefully!) the end of snow and cold winter temperatures.

In the week ahead, we’ll be celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph with a prayer service to kick off the fourth quarter of the school year.  That day will also end our Monthly Novena of Masses for you, our benefactors.

Have a great week and may God’s blessings be with you!

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJHappy St. Patrick’s Day!

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.

4 thoughts on “Anxious for Spring at St. Joseph’s Indian School”

  1. Happy St Patrick’s Day to you Fr Anthony..I will keep you all in my prayers that the Holy Spirit will guide your decisions as you update operations and processes within the Province. A beautiful gesture by the boy’s .. God bless them and Art.. healing prayers for his brother. Happy St Joseph’s Day !

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