Greetings from a water-logged South Dakota.
If it is true that April showers bring May flowers, we’ll soon have flowers all over the place—it has been very wet and rainy the last few days.
Our annual Sobriety Walk took place last Friday. The Sobriety Walk has our students break up into four groups who then leave campus following a flag of one of the directional colors—yellow, red, white and black. As they cross the bridge at American Creek, each group goes a different route that encircles downtown. They return to campus together, walking down Main Street. Upon their return, they went for a special meal in the Dining Hall.
During the march, our students and staff all wore blue t-shirts with the phrase “St. Joseph’s Indian School Stomps Out Drugs”.
This past Wednesday, our students participated in the annual St. Joseph’s Spring Concert/Talent Show. There were 28 acts including vocal groups, piano, guitar, flute, snare, trumpet and clarinet. St. Joseph’s music teacher, Tanya, and art teacher, Dave, were the masterminds behind the show. Most performance selections were from Wizard of Oz, Walt Disney, Fiddler on the Roof and well-known tunes such at The Rose, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Yankee Doodle and Mary Had a Little Lamb.
The families of several students were able to be present to see their children’s efforts applauded.
This last weekend, there was an Inipi (Sweat Lodge) for the girls in the Mathias Home who had requested prayer due to several families experiencing recent death of loved ones. They learned how to prepare the fire and what prayers are said when blessing the grounds for the ceremony. They also had fun making fry bread.
Several High School boys and adult staff also offered prayers for the many people and activities which are part of our daily lives here at St. Joseph’s.
The Sheehy Home hosted the celebration meal for all who took part. Besides praying, the weekend also gave a good example of the spirit of cooperation among the various Homes.
Tomorrow, St. Joseph’s adult mentors and their mentees will attend an indoor football game in Sioux Falls to watch the 5-time defending league champions, the Sioux Falls Storm, host the Green Bay Blizzard. They’ll stop for a meal in Mitchell and then will be off to the game to cheer on the Storm to victory.
I hope each of you will have some victories this week and nice weather to enjoy them. Know that we keep you and your intentions in our prayers.
Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ
Chaplain
Thank you,Father for your prayers. And it all sounds wonderful ,again ,thank you for sharing the news.Its fun to see the pics and share in their life. God Blee you All.
Thank you for your kind words, Janice! Blessings to you!!
Once I am overwhelmed at all that is accomplished at St. Joseph’s.. Many blessing to your wonderful, dedicated staff and students.. Hope showers end and the flowers start blooming..
Thank you, Antonia! We are enjoying a nice break from the rain, but there is more rain forecasted for the weekend. Blessings to you!
Life at St. Joe’s is such a valued experience for students and staff alike. The students experience their culture and learn about the ‘outside’ world..receiving guidance and love along the pathway. The staff must possess a feeling of success in knowing this. April showers bringing May flowers..spring sprung early here in Iowa..hope the flowers last a while. Today it is rainy/cold..brrr. Hot soup time! I pray that the Mathias house had a successful sweat lodge and they feel refreshed. Prayers and blessings to all..especially those whose loved ones have ‘passed’. Keep us posted on the results of the indoor football game you went to see. Blessings to all.
Thank you for your kind comments, Shari! Blessings to you and yours.
Testing – who gets this email?
Jona
“Use your best judgment, care about your impact, do work that matters…” ~Seth Godin