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.

Fr. Steve’s updates

It’s no secret that the present and birthday wish I’m asking for is to be in good health and cleared to come home after the surgery.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A day of many celebrations!

For morning break the Development office had scrumptious cake and Marina’s famous homemade strawberry ice cream to celebrate my birthday a little early.

For lunch my management team treated me to a sandwich and conversation at the downtown bistro. It’s no secret that the present and birthday wish I’m asking for is to be in good health and cleared to come home after the surgery.

This afternoon we had a reception for one of our teacher’s aides that completed her student teaching this semester. Congratulations to Michelle, we know that your training will help you reach the students in new ways.

I’ve been helping Nate, one of our houseparents, learn how to play guitar. After working on some liturgical music he’ll use for church, we went into Rock and Roll mode and had fun jamming to Cat Steven’s “Peace Train”, which took me way back to my high school days.

Brenton and Bryan from the Rec Center gave me a tour of an area in the hills behind the main campus where they are considering putting in an obstacle/team building course designed to teach our youth how to cooperate and build self confidence. Quality recreation is always important. Because students live here, we look for ways the fun times can also reinforce values and learning.

Fr. Steve’s updates

The oncologist called today with last week’s MRI results. The tumor has been steadily shrinking, which is such encouraging news. It will also make the surgeon’s job that much easier next week.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The oncologist called today with last week’s MRI results. The tumor has been steadily shrinking, which is such encouraging news. It will also make the surgeon’s job that much easier next week.

First diagnosis – 12 x 11 x 10 centimeters

After chemotherapy – 11.8 x 8.9 x 8.5 cm

After radiation – 9.5 x 7.7 x 6.9 cm

Since it’s shrinking in all 3 directions, the size is significantly smaller – 1320 cubic cm at first, and now under 500! The combination of good medical care and so many prayers is apparently working!

After school we gathered in the Rec Center to say farewell to the seven Child Services staff who will moving on to other adventures in their lives. Some staff serve at St. Joseph’s for a limited time.

Three of the departing houseparents have been here between one and two years, and have contributed a lot in a short time. The other four, two teachers and two houseparents, have been on staff for between 15 and 25 years! We will surely miss each of their gifts. Yet I’m confident that new people will step in and bring new gifts, abilities and talents. They will become the characters, and the rock, that St. Joseph’s is built on.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I’m growing impatient with the waiting and am ready to get on with surgery, which is one week from today. The sooner the tumor is removed, the sooner I can allow for healing and let the recovery begin.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

At this point it has become harder to focus on work. I’m growing impatient with the waiting and am ready to get on with surgery, which is one week from today. The sooner the tumor is removed, the sooner I can allow for healing and let the recovery begin.

Today was a day full of meetings to sit through that helped me focus on the tasks at hand. The meetings also took on a festive air as staff are starting to celebrate my birthday a few weeks early since I’ll be in the hospital then.

At the morning management meeting we had some tasty muffins complete with a lit birthday candle and song. At the afternoon Child Services Team meeting Karla brought a pizza sized sugar cookie from the local bakery that we could all share.

If there is one thing we do well around St. Joseph’s, it’s taking time to celebrate.

Dr. Mitchell, Chamberlain’s public school superintendent, is moving on to another job next month. I dropped by the open house to wish well. I especially wanted to say thanks for how he’s collaborated with our St. Joseph’s staff and students over the years.

There are times we need special accommodations – like at parent-teacher conferences when a houseparent has to meet with the teachers of all ten of their kids! The superintendent has initiated some productive discussions on how to provide good transitions and experiences for our students.

The new superintendent worked at St. Joseph’s some years back, and then became the high school principal. Because Dr. Johnson also knows our students and programs well, we look forward to keeping that collaborative relationship strong.

Fr. Steve’s updates

My SCJ community starts each day with morning prayer a little before seven.

Monday, May 17, 2010

My SCJ community starts each day with morning prayer a little before seven.

As I walked down the hill to the chapel, I noticed how the days are getting a little brighter each morning; today, the sun was already peaking over the hill when I left the house.

There was dew on the grass … birds chirping in many harmonies. Campus is quiet before the day starts, and you never know what each day will bring. But, having a serious illness gives you a perspective that life is fragile and precious, and each new day is a gift.

Before prayer, I prayed I will continue to use my time wisely in a way that benefits others.

Besides office work and a trip to the business office, I got to enjoy our 8th graders giving their PowerPoint presentations on figures in history.

I was running late, and they actually finished early. But, the students were really enthusiastic, and had a little class time left, so Cody and Jackie asked if they could do theirs again – a repeat performance. I learned a few new things about John Adams and JFK.

I also learned to appreciated the enthusiasm of a young person who’s put in a lot of work and wants to share.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Today at church, we honored and prayed for our graduates. We’ll have 26 eighth graders walking up the aisle in two weeks, the biggest group in some years.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Today at church, we honored and prayed for our graduates. We’ll have 26 eighth graders walking up the aisle in two weeks, the biggest group in some years.

We honored Tammy LaRoche-Wagaman, who graduated eighth grade from St. Joseph’s in 1984, with our Distinguished Alumni Award. Tammy was recognized for her outstanding work in the nursing field.

We hope her example inspires our current students to persevere with their education. We may not have any famous alumni, but we are blessed with many who go about their work and make a great contribution to their tribes and communities.

We had a dinner after church for two seniors who have stayed on with St. Joseph’s High School program and graduate from Chamberlain High School next Sunday.

In the past, we’ve had trouble trying to get the seniors to say a few words, but Kelsey and Stefen each talked for about 20 minutes, with lots of memories to share. Stefen has been her for four years, and Kelsey has been here all 12. Their recollections were filled with both laughter and the emotional tears of saying goodbye. Maija put together a slide show that helped us remember them through the years.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I’m glad when students can see the faith of their peers. We all prayed the Holy Spirit be strong with these young people throughout their life journey.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

This evening, six of our high school students celebrated the sacrament of confirmation at St. James church here in Chamberlain. They joined with the confirmandi from two nearby parishes.

All the students are classmates at Chamberlain High School, so there was already a familiarity and comfort with one another. Jesse, from our program, was asked to stand up and thank the bishop on behalf of the class. I enjoyed catching up with all the family members present at the dinner afterward.

Their choice of sponsors was an interesting mix. One picked someone from home, but the others chose St. Joseph’s personnel as someone they look up to as an example of faithful witness. One counselor sponsored two sisters. A houseparent and the college prep coordinator were also involved.

Just last year, one of our other high school students, Erin, finished her own preparation and was baptized and fully initiated. One of her classmates asked Erin to be her sponsor.

I’m glad when students can see the faith of their peers. We all prayed the Holy Spirit be strong with these young people throughout their life journey.

I saw the bishop for the first time since my diagnosis. He offered his prayers and support and got the latest update. Lots of parishioners also came up and offered support and kind words. My name is listed on many church bulletins, prayer groups and mass intentions, not just here in the area, but far and wide.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Tonight, I got back from a “quick” trip to the hospital for pre-surgery tests and appointments. The drive is long, 375 miles each way, but I’m feeling well enough to do that by myself.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tonight, I got back from a “quick” trip to the hospital for pre-surgery tests and appointments. The drive is long, 375 miles each way, but I’m feeling well enough to do that by myself.

I drove out Wednesday and back today. Driving on the prairie isn’t all that stressful when the weather is good. There’s little traffic, and I just put the cruise control on and use the time to pray, think or listen to music or a ball game.

The doctors packed in a lot of tests, and results I have back so far are encouraging. My blood work shows that my counts have climbed back to normal, which is especially good news for my immune system.

The CT scan of my chest shows the cancer has not affected my lungs. The EKG told the doctors my heart is strong (maybe part of my charisma as a Priest of the Sacred Heart?) and able to handle surgery.

I had two tests that the results are still pending from. The vascular surgeon ordered an ultrasound of the veins in my abdomen and legs, to look at the blood flow, and help them determine how much the blood vessels have been affected by the tumor. If some of the veins need to be resected or replaced that will be one of the more complicated parts of the surgery.

I had another MRI to see what effect the chemo and radiation has had on the tumor, but those results were not back by the time I met with the oncologist. When he looked over the other results, he was quite pleased. He doesn’t’ expect me to need any more chemotherapy, which is definitely good news.

With a little over a week to go before surgery, I’m feeling pretty good going in. I tell folks I’m about 85% of normal. The doctors expect 6 – 12 weeks of recovery, and I’ll just have to let the medicines and my body take the time to heal.

I came back home to another pile of cards and letters with lots of prayers and encouragement. I have certainly felt blessed and loved through this whole process!

Fr. Steve’s updates

I ate supper with the David Home girls. Afterwards, I experienced a battle of the books. I tried to get two first graders to take turns reading, but they were not in a very sharing kind of mood.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Today, I had the usual meetings with the Director of Child Services and the Child Services Team. As we wrap up the last three weeks of school, everyone is getting in full gear for the summer.

As soon as school is out, we start a seven week smorgasbord of summer programs. The high school program has the most complicated schedule to coordinate. Our students come and go to a variety of camps, jobs and summer classes.

We also had our monthly Strategic Protection Committee meeting, which deals with issues of campus security ranging from preventing accidents to monitoring access to campus and the homes. We place a premium on staff and student safety.

There are so many trainings our staff do that I forget about until being reminded. The college students who will work on maintenance crew for the summer need a defensive driving course.

Other staff need a refresher course in lawnmower and forklift safety. I appreciate that our supervisors make sure those happen.

I ate supper with the David Home girls. Afterwards, I experienced a battle of the books. I tried to get two first graders to take turns reading, but they were not in a very sharing kind of mood.

Both Sasha and Jasmine wanted my full attention. First graders are sometimes hard to reason with, so both girls read different stories out loud on either side of me, a competition in stereo. But, they both seemed OK with that, so I just bounced back and forth to listen as I could and to help or correct where needed.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Monday seems to have more of those small but time-consuming tasks as people have time over the weekend to think, then get back to work.

Monday, May 10, 2010

I didn’t accomplish anything big today … just stayed with 10 and 15-minute tasks, phone calls, questions and emails that can fill up so much of the day. Monday seems to have more of those small but time-consuming tasks as people have time over the weekend to think, then get back to work.

At the development office, we’ve seen an upswing in interest from Europe about Lakota culture and our school programs. We discussed ways to continue connecting with those folks.

Overall, it was a cold, rainy day! In South Dakota we appreciate the moisture most anytime, but it has been hard on our track team.

They’ve competed three times, but had four other meets rained out. At this point in the school year, with all the other events, there is no chance to reschedule, so our season came to an inglorious end.

After school the coaches passed out the ribbons our athletes earned for the season, and held a pizza party. No school records were broken this year, but the students showed a lot of heart in their events.

Fr. Steve’s updates

A small crowd in church for Mother’s Day. A few homes were away on a trip to Rapid City, but many of the students were checked out to be with their families.

Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother’s Day

A small crowd in church for Mother’s Day. A few homes were away on a trip to Rapid City, but many of the students were checked out to be with their families.

Sadly, we have a lot of kids whose mothers are absent in their lives. About a third of our students are being raised by the grandparents or other relatives for a variety of reasons.

Some of the students also live many hours from home and weren’t able to be with their moms.

It’s on days like these when kids might feel especially lonely or hurt; as always, our houseparents, counselors and support staff do all they can to nurture and support our children in positive ways.

I wrote out congratulatory cards for our six high school students who will be confirmed at St. James in Chamberlain next week.

I also started on the graduation cards to our 8th graders, trying to make them personal, especially since I’ll be gone for surgery at that time.

For Mother’s Day, I – of course – called home. Mom said that this blog has been a good way to keep up with me, and if nobody else reads it, at least she does. So HI MOM! LOVE YOU! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.